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Guide ยท New Jersey

How NJ police impound auctions work

Published October 31, 2026Based on N.J.S.A. 39:10A

Published October 31, 2026. Summary of New Jersey statutes as published on Justia (2025 NJ Revised Statutes), read Oct 31, 2026. This is not legal advice; the statute text controls.

At a glance (from N.J.S.A. 39:10A-1)
  • Owner and any lienholder are notified within 3 business days of the taking.
  • A vehicle that qualifies for a junk title certificate may be auctioned after 15 business days unclaimed.
  • Other vehicles may be sold after 20 business days, and no later than 90 business days.
  • Notice must appear once in a newspaper at least 5 days before the sale.

1. Taking and notice: N.J.S.A. 39:10A-1

The law covers vehicles taken into custody by a public agency: the State, a county, a county park commission, a municipality or an authority. The agency reports the taking to the MVC Chief Administrator and the National Insurance Crime Bureau, then notifies the owner and any lienholder within 3 business days.

A private storer that does not notify the owner by first-class mail within 30 days may charge no more than $750 in storage. If the driver died or was incapacitated, the figure is $100 for 72 hours.

A vehicle that qualifies for a junk title certificate may be sold at public auction after 15 business days unclaimed. Other vehicles may be sold after 20 business days, and no later than 90 business days. Before the sale, notice goes by certified mail to the owner and lienholder, and must appear once in a newspaper at least 5 days before the sale.

That newspaper notice is why most impound sales on this site come from legal-notice listings.

Source: https://law.justia.com/codes/new-jersey/title-39/section-39-10a-1/

2. Getting the vehicle back before the sale: N.J.S.A. 39:10A-2

Until the sale, the owner can reclaim the vehicle by paying reasonable removal and storage costs plus any fines, penalties and court costs.

Source: https://law.justia.com/codes/new-jersey/title-39/section-39-10a-2/

3. Paperwork the buyer receives: N.J.S.A. 39:10A-3 and 39:10A-4

For a vehicle sold with a junk title certificate, the certificate is assigned to the purchaser; the fee is $2 (39:10A-3). For any other vehicle, the public agency gives the purchaser an application for a certificate of ownership. The director accepts it and issues a title for a $3.00 fee (39:10A-4).

Sources: https://law.justia.com/codes/new-jersey/title-39/section-39-10a-3/ and https://law.justia.com/codes/new-jersey/title-39/section-39-10a-4/

  • Police-found property, N.J.S.A. 40A:14-157. Found property is held for 6 months and then sold at public auction after a newspaper notice at least 10 days before. Motor vehicles are handled under 39:10A-1 et seq. instead. Source
  • Town and county surplus vehicles, N.J.S.A. 40A:11-36. Retired fleet vehicles are a separate case from impounds. The governing body authorizes the sale by resolution, by sealed bid or public auction. Above 15% of the bid threshold, the property goes to the highest bidder at public sale. The notice is published in an official newspaper, and the sale happens 7 to 14 days after the latest publication. All bids may be rejected. Source

What impound notices on this site actually say

The NJ impound notices listed for November 2026 give a date, time and tow-yard address, plus a VIN or year/make/model. Scotch Plains (Nov 11) also states the terms: the minimum bid equals the towing and storage fees, and a 10% deposit is due.

Gloucester Township (Nov 12) asks bidders to register 48 hours ahead. See the calendar entries. Each one links to its notice.

Sources