The rule
A vehicle not claimed before the 10th day after the first notice is sent is considered abandoned (§85.704(a)). This clock runs from the first notice postmark.
You report abandoned vehicles to law enforcement only if the agency with jurisdiction over the VSF has asked for those reports. Agencies may set the format; some take one list for many vehicles, some do not.
The VSF pays the requesting agency a $10 fee per report (Transportation Code §683.031(c)). Charge it to the owner only if the agency actually accepted the report.
Private-property tows carry a different, faster duty: report to the agency with jurisdiction over the tow location within two hours of accepting the vehicle, by phone, electronically, in person, by fax or as the agency asks. Include a general description, plate state and number, VIN if readable, the tow location, and the VSF name and location.
Incident-management tows requested by police are exempt from that two-hour report unless the agency asks for it (Occupations Code ch. 2303).
Worked dates
First notice postmarked Friday, March 6. Not claimed before the 10th day after, Monday, March 16: the vehicle is abandoned. If your police department requested reports, send it in their format and log the $10.
The common mistake
Charging the $10 fee on every car. It belongs on the bill only when an agency requested and accepted the report.
What an inspector asks for
- Name of the person who received the two-hour report
- How it was delivered
- Time and date, or the agency control number
- Agency request for abandonment reports, if any