1.For any abandoned motor vehicle valued at more than one thousand dollars taken into
custody by a unit of government and not reclaimed under section 23.1-15-06, the
license plates displayed on the abandoned motor vehicle must be removed and
destroyed and thereafter the unit of government may:
a.Sell the abandoned motor vehicle to the highest bidder at public auction or sale,
following reasonable published notice. The purchaser must be given a receipt in a
form prescribed by the department of transportation which entitles the purchaser
to register the vehicle and receive a certificate of title, free and clear of all liens
and claims of ownership; or
b.Obtain a release from the department of transportation which is sufficient title to
dispose of the vehicle by a permitted scrap iron proc
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1. For any abandoned motor vehicle valued at more than one thousand dollars taken into
custody by a unit of government and not reclaimed under section 23.1-15-06, the
license plates displayed on the abandoned motor vehicle must be removed and
destroyed and thereafter the unit of government may:
a. Sell the abandoned motor vehicle to the highest bidder at public auction or sale,
following reasonable published notice. The purchaser must be given a receipt in a
form prescribed by the department of transportation which entitles the purchaser
to register the vehicle and receive a certificate of title, free and clear of all liens
and claims of ownership; or
b. Obtain a release from the department of transportation which is sufficient title to
dispose of the vehicle by a permitted scrap iron processor.
2. If a commercial towing service takes custody of an abandoned motor vehicle and the
vehicle is not reclaimed under section 23.1-15-06, the commercial towing service may
obtain a release from the department of transportation which is sufficient title to
dispose of the vehicle. The release entitles the commercial towing service to register
the vehicle and receive a certificate of title, free and clear of all liens and claims of
ownership. The department of transportation may not assess motor vehicle excise tax
under section 57-40.3-02 on a motor vehicle transferred under this subsection. The
license plates displayed on the abandoned vehicle must be removed and destroyed
upon receipt of the new title.
3. From the proceeds of the sale of an abandoned motor vehicle, the unit of government
or the commercial towing service may reimburse itself for the cost of towing,
preserving, and storing the vehicle, and for all notice and publication costs incurred
under this chapter. Any remainder from the proceeds of a sale must be held for the
owner of the vehicle or entitled lienholder or secured parties for ninety days and then
must be delivered to the administrator of the state abandoned property office in
accordance with chapter 47-30.2.