Registry Procedures Manual - D.184

Appendix D. Sale Involuntarily Towed Vehicles MGL Ch,. 255, s. 39A
Section 39A. Sale of Involuntarily Towed Vehicle
Section 39A. Any motor vehicle removed from the scene of an accident and placed for storage in
the care of a garage, which in this seciton shall also include a parking lot or other place for the storage
of motor vehicles, by a member of the state police force, by a member of the metropolitan district
police, by a member of the police force of any city or town or by any inspector,
supervisor, investigator, examiner or instructor appointed by the registrar of motor vehicles under
section twenty-nine of chapter ninety, shall be so stored at the prevailing rates. At the time such
motor vehicle is so placed the officer or person placing it shall furnigh the owner or operator of such
garage the name and address of the registered owner of said motor vehicle; and if such infomation is
not then available, said officer or person shall obtain such information and forthwigh notify in writing
the said owner or operator.
Upon receipt of such information the owner of the garage shall notify the registered owner of the
motor vehicle by registered mail, return receipt requested, that such motor vehicle has been placed
in his care as provided by this section, and shall inform him of the storage rates therefor, and shall
inquire if he is to continue to hold the motor vehicle subject to such storage rates.
If the registered owner of the motor vehicle assents to the continued storage of such motor vehicle,
the owner of the garage shall continue to hold said motor vehicle in storage and shall have a lien
thereon, as provided in section twenty-five.
If the registered owner of the motor vehic le fails to answer said notice within twenty-one days after
receipt thereof, the motor vehicle shall continue to be stored at the prevailing rates.
If, after the expiration of sixty days from the date when the vehicle was brought to the garage or
placed in the care of the owner of said garage, the owner of the motor vheicle has not claimed said
vehicle, the owner of the garage may give notice to the owner by registered mail at his last known
place of abode stating the amount of the storage charges and informing him that if the vehicle is
not claimed within twenty-one days the vehicle will be sold. If the owner does not claim the vehicle
within said twenty-one days, the owner of the garage may sell said motor vehicle at public or private
sale after publishing notice of such sale for three successive weeks in a newspaper pbulished or
having a circulation in the city or town in which the property is located; provided that he shall notify
the chief of police in the city or town in which the garage is located at least five days prior to such
sale that the vehicle is to be sold. Upon such sale the owner of the garage is located at least five
days prior to such sale that the vheicle is to be sold. Upon such sale the owner of the garage may
deduct therefrom his charges for storage and the costs of sending notices and of holding the sale,
and shall furnish the registered owner of such motor vheicle a statement of the amount received at
such sale, together with the amount of his charges and costs, and the balance, if any. If the owner
of the garage knows the address of the registered owner of said motor vehicle he shall pay such
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