Towing Issues: Ca law on abandoned car on private single family property, gov pubs, storage fees

Question
I'd appreciate your opinion on towing an abandoned vehicle on private property. The car was recently purchased but likely not re-registered but a release of liability was filed by seller. If towed, who is liable for towing and storage fees  ---  the still registered owner or legal owner based on the release? Is there a Ca statute covering this. I know this is a legal question but you seem to have expertise in many facets related to towing.

Answer
Well thanks for the thoughts about my skills..

The basic lien process is covered in several areas of California laws and one specific section is linked below..

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/vc/vc_index_l.htm

Another area to do so searching on the towing issues and notices is below

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/vc/tocd11c10a1.htm

Since both of those are off the California DMV website, you can also do searches on transferring titles and registrations by looking up the information there.


In a general rule, the last registered vehicle owner is responsible for any and all towing and storage fees...

Now I have heard of the "release of liability" paper for when you sell a vehicle in California but I am not aware of exactly what it entails or allows... But if the vehicle was not re-registered then the last owner generally does have a way out if they have filed the papers (and hopefully have copies of it)  But remember they also usually know or have some information on who bought the vehicle and most of the times do pass that information on to either DMV or the tow company when "legal papers" arrive..

Hope this helped.