                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

RELINQUISHMENT OF LIENS ACQUIRED UNDER §§ 46.2-644.01 AND 46.2-644.02 (§
46.2-644.04)

A. For purposes of this section, &#8220;bailee&#8221; means the same as that
term is defined in &#xA7; 46.2-644.03.

B. A bailee may relinquish a lien acquired under &#xA7; 46.2-644.01 or
46.2-644.02, provided that (i) the Department has completed a vehicle record
search pursuant to subsection C of &#xA7; 46.2-644.03 and determined that no
lien exists on the vehicle record, whether held by the Department or another
state, and (ii) the vehicle owner has not reclaimed the vehicle as provided for
in &#xA7; 46.2-644.01 or 46.2-644.02. Such relinquishment shall permit the
bailee to transfer possession of the vehicle to an unaffiliated tow truck
driver, towing and recovery operator, or keeper of a garage, whose business is
located within the same locality as the bailee.

C. Any lien relinquishment hereunder shall be reported to the Department by the
bailee on a form and in a manner prescribed by the Commissioner within five
business days of the transfer of possession of the vehicle. Such form shall
include (i) the make, model, model year, and vehicle identification number of
the vehicle; (ii) the name and address of the bailee; (iii) the name and address
of the person or entity receiving the vehicle; and (iv) the date of transfer of
possession.
			Upon receipt of the relinquishment form, the Department shall note such
relinquishment on the vehicle record and notify the owner by first-class mail at
the last known address of record that the bailee has relinquished the lien and
transferred possession of the vehicle. The Department shall collect a $5
administrative fee for this process from the bailee. Such fee shall be paid into
the state treasury and set aside as a special, nonreverting fund to be used to
meet the expenses of the Department.

D. Upon taking possession of a vehicle for which a lien has been relinquished
pursuant to this section, a towing and recovery operator or keeper of a garage
shall have a lien on the vehicle in accordance with &#xA7; 46.2-644.01 and all
enforcement provisions applicable to such lien shall remain in place. No other
relinquishment may take place under this section for the same vehicle until the
lien created under this subsection is enforced pursuant to this article and the
vehicle titled to a new owner.

HISTORY: 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 374.