State guide
Missouri
Missouri splits abandoned-property rules between roadway/public-property tows and private-property removals, and the Department of Revenue has a dedicated abandoned-property titling section with manuals and checklists. Missouri also expressly lets a private landowner seek title for a vehicle abandoned on real property, but the landowner must follow DOR record-search, notice, affidavit, and inspection requirements.
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
- Missouri defines abandoned property as any unattended motor vehicle, trailer, all-terrain vehicle, outboard motor, or vessel removed or subject to removal from public or private property.
- Removing one from private property
- At the request of the person in lawful possession of the real property, law enforcement may authorize towing when the vehicle has been unattended more than 48 hours, is a safety hazard, or after law enforcement has been notified and 96 hours have elapsed.
- Getting title to an abandoned vehicle
- A private landowner may apply for title through the DOR using the abandoned-property manual and checklist, generally including ownership lookup, affidavit, title application, required notice documents, and a Vehicle Examination Certificate when an original title is sought.
- State agency
- Missouri Department of Revenue, Motor Vehicle Bureau
- Official forms or instructions
- Official page →
Official resources in Missouri
Main state page with manuals, checklists, affidavits, reports, and notices for abandoned-property title work.
Detailed manual covering towers, government-authorized tows, and private landowners seeking title.
Official statute for vehicles left unattended or improperly parked on private property of another.
Official statute on owner/lienholder notice, petitions, liens, and issuance of a new title.
Official form for private-property tows not authorized by law enforcement, with mailing instructions to the Motor Vehicle Bureau.
Key facts for Missouri
- Missouri defines abandoned property as any unattended motor vehicle, trailer, ATV, outboard motor, or vessel removed or subject to removal from public or private property.
- On private property, law enforcement may authorize towing if the vehicle is left unattended for more than 48 hours.
- On private property, towing may also be authorized after the owner or possessor notifies law enforcement and 96 hours have elapsed.
- Within five working days after receiving a crime inquiry report or abandoned property report, the director of revenue searches ownership and lien records.
- A private landowner may request title for abandoned vehicles left on the landowner’s property without consent.
- For private landowner title applications, the DOR manual says the landowner should first use Form 5091 to find out who the previous owner is.
City abandoned-vehicle reporting in Missouri
| City | city | phone | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Motor Vehicle Titling & Registration (general) Cole County | Jefferson City | 573-526-3669 | State Motor Vehicle Bureau general number listed for titling and registration questions. |
| Tow Services / KCMO 311 Jackson County | Kansas City | Not published* | Official city guidance says to call 311 if an abandoned or inoperable vehicle is on the street or on private property such as a driveway. |
| Tow Lot Jackson County | Kansas City | Not published* | City tow lot page with auction and retrieval information. |
| Citizens' Service Bureau St. Louis city | St. Louis | (314) 622-4800 | Official city page for reporting abandoned or derelict cars online or by phone. |
* Not published: the official page doesn't list it. Call the office to confirm before you rely on it.
What to do next
- Use the DOR abandoned-property page first; Missouri has different paths for law-enforcement-authorized tows, private-property tows, and landowner title applications.
- If you are towing from private property without law-enforcement authorization, make sure Form 4669 is completed by the property owner, tow company, and law enforcement.
- If you want title as the landowner, gather the ownership lookup, affidavit, title application, and required inspection before mailing the packet to the Motor Vehicle Bureau.
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 Missouri's population center, for comparison only):
- OPCares, Kansas · about 135 miles
- Community Enhancement / OlatheConnect, Kansas · about 142 miles
- Towed Vehicles - Kansas City, Kansas Police Department, Kansas · about 142 miles
- Call to confirm Ask the official office.Missouri DOR - Titling Abandoned Property
Website →Phone not shown: use the contact page on the official website above.Your city or county office: Local governments →Not sure who handles it locally? USAGov's free help line, 1-844-872-4681, or the Missouri page on USA.gov can point you to the right office. - Know the current info? Tell us with a link to the official page.