§ 253.2. Definitions.
The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
Abandoned vehicle—(1) A vehicle, other than a pedalcycle, shall be presumed to be abandoned under one or more of the following circumstances, but the presumption is rebuttable by a preponderance of the evidence:
(i) The vehicle is physically inoperable and is left unattended on a highway or other public property for more than 48 hours.
(ii) The vehicle has remained illegally on a highway or other public property for more than 48 hours.
(iii) The vehicle is left unattended on or along a highway or other public property for more than 48 hours and does not bear the following:
(A) A valid registration plate.
(B) A certificate of inspection.
(C) An ascertainable vehicle identification number.
(iv) The vehicle has remained on private property without the consent of the owner or person in control of the property for more than 48 hours.
(2) Vehicles and equipment used or to be used in construction or in the operation or maintenance of highways or public utility facilities, which are left in a manner which does not interfere with the normal movement of traffic, will not be considered to be abandoned.
Bureau—The Bureau of Motor Vehicles of the Department.
Department—The Department of Transportation of the Commonwealth.
Established place of business—The place actually occupied either continuously or at regular periods by a salvor where the books and records are kept and a large share of the business is transacted.
Police department—The State Police or the law enforcement agency of a county, city or incorporated town, borough or township.
Salvor—A person engaged in the business of acquiring abandoned vehicles for the purpose of taking apart, junking, selling, rebuilding or exchanging the vehicles or parts thereof.
Valueless except for junk—A vehicle which is inoperable, lacks vehicle equipment required under 75 Pa.C.S. § § 4101—4983 (relating to vehicle characteristics), or lacks essential parts as a result of removal or destruction of the essential parts to the extent that the costs of repairs would exceed the value of the repaired vehicle. The term does not include a vehicle which would qualify as an antique or classic vehicle except for its lack of restoration or maintenance.
Vehicle identification number—A combination of numerals or letters, or both, which the manufacturer assigns to a vehicle for identification purposes, or, in the absence of a manufacturer-assigned number, which the Department assigns to a vehicle for identification purposes.
Vehicle identification number plate—The primary and official identification plate, tag or label of a vehicle, whether of metal, plastic or other material on which is indented, embossed, painted or otherwise noted a unique combination of numerals or letters, or both, of the manufacturer for public identification purposes, or the metal special identification number plate assigned to a vehicle by the Department. The term does not include a secondary plate, label or tag affixed to a vehicle for purposes such as safety certification, notation of oil change mileage, and the like even though the label or plate bears the vehicle identification number of the vehicle.
Source The provisions of this § 253.2 adopted August 19, 1977, effective August 20, 1977, 7 Pa.B. 2362; amended September 28, 1990, effective September 29, 1990, 20 Pa.B. 4957. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (57800) to (57801).
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