1. For any abandoned motor vehicle valued at more than one thousand dollars taken into custody by a unit of government and not reclaimed under section 23.1 -15-06, the license plates displayed on the abandoned motor vehicle must be removed and destroyed and thereafter the unit of government may: a. Sell the abandoned motor vehicle to the highest bidder at public auction or sale, following reasonable published notice. The purchaser must be given a receipt in a form prescribed by the department of transportation which entitles the purchaser to register the vehicle and receive a certificate of title, free and clear of all liens and claims of ownership; or b. Obtain a release from the department of transportation which is sufficient title to dispose of the vehicle by a permitted scrap iron processor. 2. If a commercial towing service takes custody of an abandoned motor vehicle and the vehicle is not reclaimed under section 23.1 -15-06, the commercial towing service may obtain a release from the department of transportation which is sufficient title to dispose of the vehicle. The release entitles the commercial towing service to register the vehicle and receive a certificate of title, free and clear of all liens and claims of ownership. The department of transportation may not assess motor vehicle excise tax under section 57 -40.3-02 on a motor vehicle transferred under this subsection. The license plates displayed on the abandoned vehicle must be removed and destroyed upon receipt of the new title. 3. From the proceeds of the sale of an abandoned motor vehicle, the unit of government or the commercial towing service may reimburse itself for the cost of towing, preserving, and storing the vehicle, and for all notice and publication costs incurred under this chapter. Any remainder from the proceeds of a sale must be held for the owner of the vehicle or entitled lienholder or secured parties for ninety days and then must be delivered to the administrator of the state abandoned property office in accordance with chapter 47-30.2.
‹ Prev All North Dakota sections Next ›
Lexace provides legal information, not legal advice, and no attorney–client relationship is created. Statute text is provided for general information and may not reflect the most recent amendments; verify against the official state code.