Pennsylvania would set deadlines for abandoned vehicle processing

The salvor would publish a local newspaper notice when the owner and lienholders cannot be identified. This applies when the registered owner and all lienholders cannot be identified with reasonable certainty. The salvor is responsible for local publication. The salvor would publish the notice within 10 business days after the department determines the identities cannot be established with reasonable certainty.

The department would process a disposal authorization within 10 business days after receiving the holder’s written statement. This applies to abandoned vehicles held by a vehicle holder. The department would authorize disposal after the 30-day claim period if the holder states in writing that no owner or lienholder reclaimed the vehicle during that period. The 30-day period runs from mailed notice or, when applicable, published notice. The 10-business-day processing period starts when the department receives the holder’s written statement.

The department would decide salvage certificate applications and review certain reports within 10 business days. This applies to abandoned vehicles deemed salvage or nonrepairable by a police officer and salvor. For an abandoned vehicle deemed salvage or nonrepairable by a police officer and salvor, the application decision deadline applies after the notice and disposal requirements have been met. If officials cannot reliably identify the last registered owner and cannot reliably identify any lienholder and address, notice is not required; the department would review the salvor’s report and issue a salvage certificate. The application decision period starts when the department receives the application. When the no-notice rule applies, the department would review the salvor’s report within 10 business days of receipt and then issue a salvage certificate.