Abandoned Vehicles

Abandoned Vehicles on Private Property

Vehicles abandoned on private property in Wyoming or towed by a towing company to a Wyoming location:

Vehicles are considered to be abandoned if left on Wyoming private property in excess of 30 consecutive days without the consent of the owner or person in lawful control of the property. Vehicles are also considered abandoned if left for repairs and not claimed 30 days after the date agreed upon by both parties.

Vehicles purchased without clear titles and vehicles left with consent cannot be processed as an abandoned vehicle.

If the property owner or person in lawful control of the property wishes to obtain ownership rights to the abandoned vehicle, the legal owner of the vehicle must be identified. To identify the vehicle owner, the property owner or person in lawful control of the property must request a title and lien search from the Wyoming Department of Transportation.

Abandoned Vehicle Steps

1. Upon receipt of this request, owner or person in lawful control of the property shall give written notice of sale to the following:

• Owner and any lien holder of record, if identified, by certified mail not less than 10 days preceding the date of sale.
• Sheriff of the county in which vehicle is abandoned, not less than 10 days preceding the date of sale.
• Publication once per week for two consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the county where vehicle was abandoned.

2. Notification shall include:

• A complete description of the make, year, model, license plate number and state indicator, and vehicle identification number of the vehicle.
• Amount of money claimed for expenses incident to the removal, preservation, custody, storage ($20 per day) and sale; and if the vehicle was left unattended at an establishment for service, repair or maintenance, the cost of the services.  The total allowable expenses shall not exceed $1000. 
• Date, time and place of sale.

3. The vehicle may be sold by the owner or person in lawful control of the property at public auction to the highest bidder, or may be sold following an action filed pursuant to w.s. 31-13-112(e).

4. Upon receipt of satisfactory evidence from the seller of compliance and that the vehicle has been sold, the sheriff shall execute a certificate of sale in duplicate for the fee of $7.50. The original certificate of sale shall be delivered to the purchaser and the copy shall be retained by the sheriff. Satisfactory evidence of compliance requires the following.

• A completed copy of this request.
• Copies of the notice of sale.
• Proof of mailing and publication required.

5. No person shall sell a vehicle if a written court order prohibiting the sale is served on the proposed seller. The court order shall be served on the person selling the vehicle prior to the sale and shall not be issued except for good cause.

Note

1. At any time prior to a sale, the owner or lien holder of record may reclaim the vehicle upon payment of expenses incident to removal, preservation, custody, storage and sale; and if a vehicle was left unattended at an establishment for service, repair or maintenance, upon payment of the cost of services.
2. The owner or lien holder is entitled to recover from the person selling the vehicle any proceeds of the sale in excess of the costs of the sale and monies owed for related expenses, if any, provided an action is filed in the proper court for recovery within 120 days of the sale.
3. Procedures may vary within each county, please contact the appropriate county sheriff for verification.

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