State guide
New Hampshire
New Hampshire's abandoned-vehicle process is unusually form-driven and the DMV's own handbook lays out the tow-company workflow step by step. State law defines a vehicle as abandoned after more than 24 hours without appropriate permission, but disposal and title transfer depend on verified notice, public posting or publication, and DMV forms.
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
- Under RSA 262:40-c, a vehicle is considered abandoned if it has been left for more than 24 hours without appropriate permission, or at a storage facility after 10 days' notice to redeem it.
- Removing one from private property
- State law forbids abandoning a vehicle on property other than your own without the owner or lessee's permission, and the DMV handbook says tow companies should notify police on removal and then use TDMV71 plus DMV record-request forms to pursue the abandoned-vehicle process.
- Getting title to an abandoned vehicle
- New Hampshire titles an abandoned or unclaimed vehicle through post-tow notice and sale paperwork, with the buyer then submitting TDMV23, TDMV22A, TDMV109, TDMV19A, and the fee to obtain title.
- State agency
- New Hampshire Department of Safety, Division of Motor Vehicles, Title Bureau.
- Official forms or instructions
- Official page →
Official resources in New Hampshire
DMV instruction sheet for abandoned and unclaimed vehicles, record requests, and the forms that must later be given to the buyer.
Explains buyer title requirements for abandoned vehicles and the tow-company steps from TDMV71 through auction paperwork.
State statute making abandonment unlawful and defining when a vehicle is considered abandoned.
Statute on disposal by storage company, including the 20-day rule and notice requirements before disposal.
Official form used to request owner and lienholder information for abandoned-vehicle work.
Key facts for New Hampshire
- New Hampshire says a vehicle is abandoned if left more than 24 hours without appropriate permission, or at a storage facility after 10 days' notice to redeem.
- Tow companies must notify police when removing a vehicle and complete TDMV71 Notice of Removal.
- DMV says the tow company must submit TDMV71, DSMV505, and a Certificate of Authority within 30 days of the tow for owner and lienholder information.
- After owner information is returned, the tow company must send owner and lienholder a verified-mail letter giving 10 days to comply.
- The same day the letters are sent, notice of sale must be posted in 2 public places and in 1 newspaper unless DMV-approved low-value rules apply.
- A buyer seeking title must submit TDMV23, TDMV22A, TDMV109, TDMV19A, and the appropriate fee.
City abandoned-vehicle reporting in New Hampshire
| City | city | phone | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manchester NH Connect Hillsborough | Manchester | Not published* | Manchester's app uses SeeClickFix to submit requests and report problems including parking enforcement and police non-emergency issues. |
| Public Works Service Requests — SeeClickFix Hillsborough | Nashua | Not published* | Nashua's public works request center accepts online service requests and directs them to the proper city department. |
| Report a Concern / Submit a Request Merrimack | Concord | 1-800-369-9060 | Concord's official request portal uses SeeClickFix for non-emergency city concerns and requests. |
* Not published: the official page doesn't list it. Call the office to confirm before you rely on it.
What to do next
- Ask first whether the vehicle is simply on your land without permission or already in a storage facility after a tow; the notice path matters.
- If you are the tow or storage company, calendar the 30-day submission deadline for TDMV71 and DSMV505 immediately.
- If you are buying at the auction, make sure you leave with TDMV109, TDMV22A, and TDMV19A before going to your clerk or dealer for title paperwork.
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 New Hampshire's population center, for comparison only):
- Transportation Department, Massachusetts · about 64 miles
- BOS:311, Massachusetts · about 64 miles
- Worcester 311 Requests, Massachusetts · about 66 miles
- Call to confirm Ask the official office.NH DMV — Abandoned & Unclaimed Vehicles (TDMV116)
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 New Hampshire page on USA.gov can point you to the right office. - Know the current info? Tell us with a link to the official page.