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Indiana Abandoned Vehicle Overview
Indiana's abandoned vehicle laws are governed by IC 9-22-1 et seq. Indiana uses the standard 72-hour street threshold but a notably shorter 20-day private property notice period — putting it among the faster states for property owners, matching New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Title claims go through the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) administratively.
Street Time Limit
A vehicle left on an Indiana public road for more than 72 consecutive hours may be tagged and eventually towed. Report to your local police non-emergency line or city 311 system. Indiana State Police handles state road cases at (800) 552-0976. Officers mark tires, post notice, and attempt owner notification through Indiana BMV records. Unclaimed vehicles go to licensed impound facilities where owners have a set window to reclaim.
Private Property Removal
Indiana's 20-day notice period is shorter than the 30-day standard in most states. Steps: (1) Document vehicle with dated photographs. (2) Contact local police to file report. (3) Officer or BMV sends certified notice to registered owner. (4) Wait the full 20 days after certified notification — do not proceed early. (5) Arrange removal through a licensed Indiana tow operator with documentation in hand.
Indiana advantage: The 20-day notice period means you can resolve most private property situations about 10 days faster than in states with a 30-day requirement.
Claiming Title
Indiana title claims go through the BMV. Steps: (1) File police report establishing abandonment. (2) Request owner info from Indiana BMV at (888) 692-6841 or in.gov/bmv. (3) Send certified notice to registered owner. (4) Wait 20 days. (5) Apply to Indiana BMV for abandoned vehicle title using BMV Form 44049 with police report and certified mail documentation. BMV processing typically 3–5 weeks — faster than most states due to the shorter notice period.
City-by-City Contacts
| City | Contact | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis | (317) 327-3811 · indy.gov | IMPD non-emergency; use RequestIndy app for online reporting; Marion County Sheriff for unincorporated areas |
| Fort Wayne | (260) 427-1222 · cityoffortwayne.org | FWPD non-emergency; Allen County Sheriff for county roads |
| Evansville | (812) 421-1580 · evansvillegov.org | EPD non-emergency; Vanderburgh County handles county road cases |
| South Bend | (574) 235-9201 · southbendin.gov | SBPD non-emergency; St. Joseph County Sheriff for unincorporated areas |
| Carmel | (317) 571-2580 · carmel.in.gov | CPD non-emergency; Hamilton County Sheriff for county roads |
| Bloomington | (812) 339-4477 · bloomington.in.gov | BPD non-emergency; Monroe County Sheriff for county areas |
Inoperable Vehicle Storage
Indiana does not have a statewide inoperable vehicle storage ordinance — local codes govern this. Indianapolis (Marion County) prohibits inoperable vehicles visible from public streets under Revised Code of the Consolidated City and County. Fort Wayne has similar provisions. Most Indiana cities require enclosed structure or opaque screening for inoperable vehicles in residential zones. Rural Indiana counties are generally more permissive. Check your city's municipal code for specifics.
Official Contacts
| Resource | Contact |
|---|---|
| Indiana BMV — Vehicle Titles | (888) 692-6841 · in.gov/bmv |
| Indiana BMV Form 44049 | in.gov/bmv → Forms → Abandoned Vehicle |
| Indiana Code IC 9-22-1 | iga.in.gov |
| Indiana State Police | (800) 552-0976 · in.gov/isp |
| Indianapolis IMPD (non-emergency) | (317) 327-3811 · indy.gov |
| Fort Wayne Police (non-emergency) | (260) 427-1222 · cityoffortwayne.org |
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes — Indiana BMV Form 44049 (Application for Abandoned Vehicle Title) is available at in.gov/bmv under Forms and Manuals. You can download and print it, complete it with your documentation, and submit it to any Indiana BMV branch or by mail. The form requires the police report number, proof of certified notification, and vehicle information. Call (888) 692-6841 before submitting to confirm current processing times and any additional requirements your county may have.
No — the 20-day notice period is the statutory minimum under IC 9-22-1. You cannot legally proceed before the full period has elapsed, even if the owner is clearly not coming to claim the vehicle. The 20-day period is already shorter than most states, so Indiana's process is generally faster end-to-end than average. Use the time to gather all documentation so you're ready to file with BMV the moment the notice period expires.