Abandoned ATVs, Minibikes or UTVs

Once it has been established by a law enforcement agency that an ATV, minibike or UTV has been abandoned, and after specific guidelines for owner notification have been met, a Certificate of Title is issued with the brand “Abandoned” noted in the Previous Title Number position. The County Treasurer issues abandoned titles to the law enforcement agency under whose jurisdiction the ATV, minibike or UTV was abandoned.

An ATV, minibike or UTV may be considered abandoned by law enforcement if left unattended:

• more than twenty-four hours on any public property, except a portion thereof on which parking is legally permitted;
• more than forty-eight hours, after the parking of such vehicle shall have become illegal, if left on a portion of a public property on which parking is legally permitted;
• more than SEVEN days on private property if left initially without permission of the owner or after permission of the owner is terminated;
• more than thirty days in the custody of a law enforcement agency after the agency has sent a letter to the last-registered owner.

After the abandoned title has been issued, the law enforcement agency is charged with final disposition of the ATV, minibike or UTV.

Public property is defined as any public right-of-way, street, highway, alley, park or other state, county or municipally owned property. All other property is defined as private.

If an ATV, minibike or UTV has been left after storage or repair work has been completed, refer to Storage-Repair Lien procedures.

If you would like information regarding a motor vehicle that has been abandoned, refer to Abandoned – Motor Vehicles.

If you would like information regarding a motorboat that has been abandoned, refer to Abandoned – Motorboats.

Questions regarding Abandoned ATVs, Minibikes or UTVs may be addressed to Email or by contacting this office at (402) 471-3918.

This page last revised 1/5/2011