Flag_of_Alabama.svg
An official website of the Alabama State government.
Here's how you know

The .gov means it's official

Government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on an official government site.

The site is secure

The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

  • Homepage
  • >
  • How do I report a vehicle as unclaimed/abandoned?
View All Titles, Unclaimed/Abandoned Motor Vehicles FAQs

How do I report a vehicle as unclaimed/abandoned?

The person or entity in possession of an “unclaimed” or “abandoned” motor vehicle must report the vehicle to the department before a motor vehicle can be sold as an “abandoned” vehicle.

To report a vehicle as abandoned or unclaimed, please visit the department’s Unclaimed/Abandoned Vehicle Portal.

The reporter is required to follow the instructions that are provided in the Help Section of the Unclaimed/Abandoned Portal.

The person or entity in possession of an “unclaimed” or “abandoned” motor vehicle must report the vehicle to the department before a motor vehicle can be sold as an “abandoned” vehicle. To report a vehicle as abandoned or unclaimed, please visit the department’s Unclaimed/Abandoned Vehicle Portal. The reporter is required to follow the instructions that are provided in the Help Section of the Unclaimed/Abandoned Portal.
Related FAQs in Titles, Unclaimed/Abandoned Motor Vehicles

No, if the current title is an Alabama ELT there is no cost to print a physical title.

However, once an ELT is printed on physical title paper it can not be printed again. A replacement title application must be applied for if a replacement is needed.

Yes, Alabama does issue ELTs. If a designated agent (non-licensing official) is set-up for ELT, then any titles issued recording their lien will be issued as an ELT.

ALDOR’s titling system, ALVIN, features a VIN decoder that populates this information.

However, there will be occasion where it will not be pre-populated. Sometimes it will populate the information after a vehicle trim is selected.

It is recommended to look up the vehicle year, make, model, and specifications in a Google-type search to see if you are able to find the unladen weight or GVWR.

Another alternative is the NHTSA VIN decoder (https://vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov/decoder/). It will sometimes provide this information for vehicles.

If all else fails and you still can’t determine the unladen weight, then you can enter the same amount as was entered or pre-populated for the GVWR.

To obtain records, please visit the department’s Records Request Portal to electronically submit requests for certified copies of title and/or registration records.

The person or entity in possession of an “unclaimed” or “abandoned” motor vehicle must report the vehicle to the department before a motor vehicle can be sold as an “abandoned” vehicle. To report a vehicle as abandoned or unclaimed, please visit the department’s Unclaimed/Abandoned Vehicle Portal. The reporter is required to follow the instructions that are provided in the Help Section of the Unclaimed/Abandoned Portal.

Unclaimed Motor Vehicles include the following:

  • A motor vehicle left unattended on a public road or highway for more than 48 hours.
  • A motor vehicle not left on private property for repairs that has remained on private or other public property for a period of more than 48 hours without the consent of the owner or lessee of the property.
  • A motor vehicle, left on private property for repairs, that has not been reclaimed within 48 hours from the latter of either the date the repairs were completed or the agreed upon redemption date.
  • A motor vehicle left unattended on a public street, road, or highway or other property for a period of at least 48 hours.
  • A motor vehicle left unattended because the driver has been arrested or is impaired by an accident or for any other reason which causes the need for the vehicle to be immediately removed as determined necessary by law enforcement.

A list of all unclaimed/abandoned motor vehicles is available to the public through the department’s Unclaimed/Abandoned Vehicle Portal, by selecting the View Reported Unclaimed/Abandoned Vehicles button.