For purposes of this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:
1."Abandoned motor vehicle" means a motor vehicle, as defined in section 39-01-01,
that has remained for a period of more than forty-eight hours on public property
illegally or lacking parts that are essential to the mechanical functioning of the vehicle,
including the motor, drive train, or wheels, or is located on private property without
consent of the person in control of the property or in an inoperable condition such that
it has no substantial potential further use consistent with its usual functions, unless it is
kept in an enclosed garage or storage building. It also means a motor vehicle
voluntarily surrendered by its owner to a permitted scrap iron processor. An antique
automobile, as defined in section 39-04-1
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For purposes of this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:
1. "Abandoned motor vehicle" means a motor vehicle, as defined in section 39-01-01,
that has remained for a period of more than forty-eight hours on public property
illegally or lacking parts that are essential to the mechanical functioning of the vehicle,
including the motor, drive train, or wheels, or is located on private property without
consent of the person in control of the property or in an inoperable condition such that
it has no substantial potential further use consistent with its usual functions, unless it is
kept in an enclosed garage or storage building. It also means a motor vehicle
voluntarily surrendered by its owner to a permitted scrap iron processor. An antique
automobile, as defined in section 39-04-10.4, and other motor vehicles to include parts
car and special interest vehicles, may not be considered an abandoned motor vehicle
within the meaning of this chapter.
2. "Collector" means the owner of one or more special interest vehicles that collects,
purchases, acquires, trades, or disposes of special interest vehicles or parts of special
interest vehicles for the person's own use in order to restore, preserve, and maintain a
special interest vehicle or antique vehicle.
3. "Commercial towing service" means a registered business in North Dakota that tows
motor vehicles.
4. "Department" means the department of environmental quality.
5. "Emergency towing" means the towing of a vehicle due to a motor vehicle accident,
mechanical breakdown on public roadway, or other emergency-related incident
necessitating vehicle removal for public safety with or without the owner's consent.
6. "Parts car" means a motor vehicle generally in nonoperable condition which is owned
by the collector to furnish parts to restore, preserve, and maintain a special interest
vehicle or antique vehicle.
7. "Permitted scrap iron processor" means a scrap iron processor holding a valid permit
issued by the department under chapter 23.1-08.
8. "Scrap tire" means a tire that is no longer suitable for its original intended purpose
because of wear, damage, or defect.
9. "Secured party" means an insurer covering the abandoned motor vehicle under an
insurance policy.
10. "Special interest vehicle" means a motor vehicle that is at least twenty years old and
has not been altered or modified from original manufacturer's specifications and,
because of its historic interest, is being preserved by hobbyists.
11. "Submerged vehicle" means a motor vehicle or a recreational vehicle as defined in
section 39-01-01 or a trailer that is submerged in a body of water.
12. "Unit of government" includes a state department or agency, a county, city, township,
or other political subdivision.