State guide
Indiana
Indiana’s abandoned-vehicle rules are split between statutory definitions in Title 9 and title packets issued by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Indiana also has a distinct mechanic’s-lien path for businesses storing, towing, repairing, or supplying a vehicle, with different packets depending on whether the vehicle is above or below $3,500.
Checked against official sources on October 4, 2026. Rules and links change; confirm with the office listed before you act.
- When a vehicle counts as abandoned
- An official Indiana city page quoting IC 9-13-2-1 says abandoned vehicle includes a vehicle left on public property without being moved for 24 hours, a vehicle on private property without consent for more than 48 hours, and certain inoperable vehicles left visible on private property for more than 20 days.
- Removing one from private property
- Indiana Code section 9-22-1-15 says a person who finds a vehicle believed abandoned on private property may get an officer’s help or personally arrange removal by attaching a notice tag stating the vehicle is considered abandoned and will be removed after 24 hours.
- Getting title to an abandoned vehicle
- Indiana BMV routes title through abandoned-vehicle mechanic’s-lien packets for vehicles over or under $3,500, while a possessor who only needs to junk the vehicle may use the Certificate of Authority packet and State Form 55018.
- State agency
- Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles
- Official forms or instructions
- Official page →
Official resources in Indiana
Official BMV page linking the abandoned-vehicle mechanic’s-lien packets and certificate-of-authority disposal packet.
Checklist for abandoned vehicles valued at more than $3,500.
Checklist for abandoned vehicles valued at $3,500 or less.
Official BMV packet for disposal of a vehicle without applying for a new title, including abandoned vehicles to be junked.
Official Indiana General Assembly code-download page for Title 9 motor-vehicle statutes.
Key facts for Indiana
- An official Indiana city page quoting IC 9-13-2-1 says a vehicle left on public property without being moved for 24 hours is an abandoned vehicle.
- The same Indiana page says a vehicle left on private property without consent for more than 48 hours is abandoned.
- Indiana Code section 9-22-1-15 requires a 24-hour notice tag before a private-property owner personally arranges removal.
- Indiana’s BMV says abandoned-vehicle title packets differ based on whether NADA average/clean retail value is more than $3,500 or less than $3,500.
- Indiana’s over-$3,500 and under-$3,500 packets both require certified-mail notice, newspaper proof, and State Form 23104.
- Indiana’s Certificate of Authority packet says a possessor of an abandoned vehicle may apply to junk the vehicle without getting a new title.
City abandoned-vehicle reporting in Indiana
| City | city | phone | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| RequestIndy 311 Marion | Indianapolis | Not published* | RequestIndy lists Abandoned Vehicle: Public Property among city service requests. |
| Constituent Services / Gary 311 Lake | Gary | Not published* | Gary says its 311 app and service-request system can be used for issues including abandoned vehicles. |
* Not published: the official page doesn't list it. Call the office to confirm before you rely on it.
What to do next
- Determine first whether you are a private property owner, a tow/storage business, or a repair business, because Indiana uses different statutory and BMV paths.
- If you are personally arranging removal from private property, use a written notice tag that gives 24 hours before removal.
- For a title application, gather proof of mailing, proof of publication, a VIN inspection if required, and the right BMV packet before sending documents to Central Office Title Processing.
Not seeing your city or county?
Not every city publishes its rules online. Try these, in order:
- General Start with the statewide information above.
- Closest verified Nearest places where we have verified local data outside this state (distance from Indiana's population center, for comparison only):
- Dayton Housing and Inspections, Ohio · about 111 miles
- Dayton Police - Abandoned Vehicle Information, Ohio · about 111 miles
- Cincinnati 311 - Parking, Abandoned in Street, Junk Vehicle, Ohio · about 115 miles
- Call to confirm Ask the official office.Indiana BMV Special Titling Circumstances
Website →Phone: (800) 457-8283 (as listed on that page, checked Oct 4, 2026)Your city or county office: Local governments →Not sure who handles it locally? USAGov's free help line, 1-844-872-4681, or the Indiana page on USA.gov can point you to the right office. - Know the current info? Tell us with a link to the official page.