Selling a junk or abandoned car in Hazleton

From notice to tow

Chapter 529 follows the state's abandoned-vehicle process closely. When the car still has a registration plate that identifies its last registered owner, the city first mails a notice by certified mail. The notice says that "unless the vehicle was moved to a suitable location within five days of the date notice is mailed," it will be removed and held at a suitable facility.

Note that the count begins on the mailing date, whatever day the envelope gets opened. A car that sat through a week away from home can be gone before you read the envelope.

What the salvor does next

Hazleton's Section 529-8 gives a towing salvor 48 hours to report to PennDOT. The report covers the make, model, vehicle identification number and plate number, plus the owner's name and address when known. Any newspaper notices are the salvor's job, and their cost is added to towing and storage.

If nobody reclaims the car, PennDOT acts "after the expiration of 30 days from the date of notice." The salvor is repaid from any sale for towing, storage, notice, publication and auction costs. The City of Hazleton collects its fines and penalties from the same money.

Getting it back, and what it costs

An owner or lienholder who reclaims the car pays towing and storage plus a fee set by City Council, "of which $10 shall be transmitted to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation." The towing ordinance adds a $50 administrative fee to the city for police work such as calls, paperwork, auto releases and vehicle checks. The ordinance also calls a towed car left unclaimed for 20 days abandoned, in line with state law. Already on a tow lot? Read towed or impounded.

Four cars make a junkyard

Hazleton's zoning definitions say a junkyard includes "the storage of four or more junk vehicles, or four or more motor vehicles from which parts have been or are to be removed for reuse or sale." A driveway with a couple of parts cars and a project is closer to that line than it seems. Under the city's vacant-property rules, "abandoned vehicles, auto parts and/or materials" are among the signs that a property has been left vacant.

Title and plates

Luzerne County keeps no title office. Pennsylvania issues titles itself and lets notaries, tag services and dealers act as its authorized agents. At the agent's counter you sign, print your name beneath and supply the odometer figure; a co-owned title needs every owner's signature. Scrap processors and salvage dealers may take the assigned title without any notarization.

Unbolt the plate first. It goes back to PennDOT, or onto another vehicle of yours for an $11.00 transfer. Lost the title? Send in Form MV-38O with $72.00. The other option is in junk car with no title.

Getting an offer

Call (877) 421-6008 or fill in the form. Tell us a bit about the Hazleton car and where its paperwork stands. Our pickup reaches your curb, the space behind a rental, or wherever a city notice says the car is parked. Nearby: Wilkes-Barre. Statewide rules: Pennsylvania.