Junk and non-running cars in Highland

Public property versus your own driveway

The state definition of abandoned has a public and a private side. On public property the test is the car's condition: parts removed, partly taken apart, or not running. On private property the test is consent; a car another person leaves on your land longer than 48 hours, without permission, is abandoned. Your own car in your own driveway falls under neither state test, which is exactly where a town rule could step in. With Highland's code not online, check with the town before letting a dead car sit.

Munster, 2.4 miles away, does publish its code; our Munster page covers it.

If a shop or tow lot has it

Two state rules matter when the car is not in your hands:

• A repair bill. When a mechanic holds a lien and mails notice, the car can go to public sale or auction if 20 days pass with no answer from the owner or lienholder.
• A tow. Removal, storage and disposal costs fall on the owner of an abandoned car, with storage limited to $2,000. Should the tower or storer sell the car, the earlier owner is off the hook for storage fees.

Our towed or impounded guide covers getting a car back or letting it go.

Paperwork from Highland

Indiana titles are a state matter, handled by the BMV rather than Lake County. The Crown Point branch we checked, at 1244 North Main St., is about 9 miles southeast of the middle of Highland as the crow flies. Its phone, per the BMV's records, is 888-692-6841.

At a Highland sale, every owner listed prints and signs. Then write in the odometer reading, the sale date and price, and the buyer's name and address. Neither the title assignment nor a bill of sale needs a notary in the BMV's steps. Make sure the seller part and the purchaser part are both complete before you hand over the title. The BMV tells buyers to confirm this before going to a branch.

Pull the plate. Highland sellers keep it, since Indiana won't take it, and may move it to another car of theirs.

Replacing a missing Highland title costs $15.00, with $25 extra for a speed title. The old title stops being valid once the new one issues. No title in Highland? State Form 55018 from the BMV, a Certificate of Authority costing $4.00, lets you scrap the car. You show proof the car is yours, and the lender's release if a loan is on record. See junk car with no title.

Nearby

Munster is 2.4 miles off, Schererville 4.3 and Hammond 5.3. Gary is 6.5 miles away, East Chicago 7.0 and St. John 7.3. For statewide rules, see Indiana.

Getting an offer

Selling a Highland car? Phone (877) 421-6008 or fill in the offer form. The tow truck can collect it behind a shop near Highway Avenue, from a garage off a side street, or at the repair lot that is holding it.