Form 227 is the California DMV's official document for reporting a vehicle as abandoned

Form 227, officially called the "Report of Abandoned Vehicle," is the form you file with the California Department of Motor Vehicles when you own property and a vehicle has been left on it without permission or payment. The form tells the DMV that a car, truck, motorcycle, or other motor vehicle is sitting on your land, and you want the registered owner to be notified so they can remove it or the DMV can begin the process of declaring it abandoned.

You do not file this form to take ownership of the vehicle. You file it to create an official record that the vehicle is there, that you have not given permission for it to stay, and that you want it gone. The DMV uses the information to contact the registered owner and warn them that the vehicle may be sold or destroyed if not removed within a set timeframe.

This form is most commonly used by property owners, apartment managers, towing companies, and parking lot operators who find vehicles abandoned on their land. If you are a private homeowner and a neighbor's car has been parked in front of your house for months, this form is your starting point with the state.

Key Takeaways

  • Form 227 reports an abandoned vehicle to the California DMV and triggers official notice to the registered owner.
  • You must own or control the property where the vehicle is parked to file this form.
  • The DMV will attempt to contact the vehicle's registered owner and give them a important date to remove it.
  • Filing Form 227 does not give you the right to sell or scrap the vehicle yourself — you must follow California's legal process for abandoned vehicle disposal.
  • You can obtain Form 227 from the California DMV website, by mail, or in person at a DMV office.

What information you need to complete Form 227

Before you sit down to fill out the form, gather the details about the vehicle and the property. You will need the vehicle's license plate number (if visible), the vehicle identification number (VIN) if you can see it on the dashboard or door frame, the make and model of the vehicle, and its color. If you do not have the VIN or plate number, write down as much as you can see — the DMV can often locate the vehicle with partial information.

You will also need to describe the property where the vehicle is parked: your address, whether it is residential or commercial, and how long the vehicle has been there. The form asks you to state that you own or control the property and that the vehicle is there without your permission. You will sign the form under penalty of perjury, so the information must be accurate.

If you are filing on behalf of a business or property management company, have your company name, your title, and your contact phone number ready. The DMV will use this information to reach you if they need clarification or if the vehicle owner disputes the report.

How to obtain and submit Form 227

You can read Form 227 directly from the California DMV website at dmv.ca.gov. Search for "Form 227" in the forms section, and you will find a PDF you can print and fill out by hand or fill out on your computer before printing. The form is also available at any California DMV office — you can walk in and ask for it, or call ahead to confirm they have copies.

Once completed, you have three ways to submit it. You can mail it to the California DMV at the address listed on the form itself (the address varies by region, so check the form for the correct one). You can deliver it in person to your local DMV office during business hours. Or, depending on your county, you may be able to submit it electronically through the DMV's online portal — call your local DMV office to ask whether this option is available in your area.

Keep a copy of the form for your records, including the date you submitted it and the method you used. If you mail it, consider sending it certified mail so you have proof of delivery. The DMV will send you a confirmation once they receive and process your report.

What happens after you file Form 227

After the DMV receives your report, they will look up the registered owner using the license plate or VIN. The DMV will then send a notice to the owner's address on file, giving them a important date — usually 10 to 30 days depending on the circumstances — to remove the vehicle or contact the DMV to explain why it is there.

If the owner does not respond or does not remove the vehicle by the important date, the DMV can declare it officially abandoned. At that point, you as the property owner may have the right to have it towed and stored at the owner's expense, or in some cases to pursue sale or disposal through a licensed dismantler or scrap yard. However, you cannot straightforward tow it away and keep it or sell it yourself — California law requires you to follow specific procedures even after the vehicle is declared abandoned.

The timeline from filing to final resolution typically takes several weeks to several months. If the registered owner cannot be located or if they dispute the report, the process may take longer. The DMV will keep you informed of the status if you provide a phone number or email address on the form.

Scam alert: Fake abandonment notices and fraudulent towing

Be aware that scammers sometimes pose as DMV officials or towing companies and send fake abandonment notices to vehicle owners, claiming the car will be sold or destroyed unless the owner pays a fee. If you receive such a notice and you did not file Form 227, it is likely a scam. The real DMV does not demand payment over the phone or email to prevent vehicle disposal.

If you are a property owner considering filing Form 227, do not hire a towing company that approaches you unsolicited and offers to handle the abandoned vehicle for you. Use only licensed towing services that you contact directly. Some unlicensed operators will tow a vehicle without proper authorization and then demand payment from the owner, creating legal liability for you as the property owner.

Always verify that you are dealing with the official California DMV by calling the main DMV phone line (1-800-777-0133) or visiting dmv.ca.gov directly. Do not click links in emails or texts claiming to be from the DMV — go to the website yourself by typing the address into your browser.

When you might not need Form 227

If the vehicle is parked on public street or in a public parking lot, you do not file Form 227 yourself. Instead, contact your city or county's parking enforcement or public works department. They handle abandoned vehicles on public property and have their own procedures separate from the DMV form.

If the vehicle is on your property but the owner is known to you and has given permission to park it there (even if they have not moved it in a long time), Form 227 does not explore. The form is specifically for vehicles parked without permission. If you want the owner to move a vehicle they have permission to keep there, that is a civil matter between you and the owner, not an abandoned vehicle report.

If the vehicle is actively being worked on, is part of a collection, or is clearly being maintained (even if it has not moved recently), it is not abandoned in the legal sense. Form 227 is for vehicles that appear to have been left and forgotten, not for vehicles whose owners are actively using the property.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I file Form 227 if the vehicle is parked on the street in front of my house?

No. Form 227 is only for vehicles on private property that you own or control. For vehicles on public streets, contact your city or county's parking enforcement or code enforcement office. They will investigate and take action if the vehicle meets your jurisdiction's definition of abandoned.

What if I do not know the license plate or VIN?

Write down everything you can see: the make, model, color, and any partial plate numbers or VIN digits. The DMV can often locate a vehicle with this information. If you cannot provide enough detail for the DMV to identify the vehicle, they may ask you to provide more information or may be unable to process the report.

Do I own the vehicle once I file Form 227?

No. Filing Form 227 does not transfer ownership to you. It notifies the DMV and the registered owner that the vehicle is abandoned on your property. Ownership and disposal rights follow California's legal process for abandoned vehicles, which may involve a licensed dismantler, a towing company, or a court proceeding depending on the situation.

How long does it take for the DMV to process Form 227?

The DMV typically processes the form within one to two weeks of receiving it. However, the full process of notifying the owner and waiting for them to respond can take several weeks to several months. You should receive a confirmation that your report was received, and the DMV may contact you if they need additional information.

What if the vehicle owner responds and says they will remove it?

If the owner contacts the DMV and commits to removing the vehicle within a reasonable timeframe, the DMV will notify you. You should monitor the situation to confirm the vehicle is actually removed. If the owner does not follow through, you can file another report or contact the DMV to escalate the matter.