No person shall cause any motor vehicle to become an abandoned motor vehicle as defined in § 46.2-1200. In any prosecution for a violation of this section, proof that the defendant was, at the time that the vehicle was found abandoned, the owner of the vehicle shall constitute in evidence a rebuttable presumption that the owner was the person who committed the violation. Such presumption, however, shall not arise if the owner of the vehicle provided notice to the Department, as provided in § 46.2-604, that he had sold or otherwise transferred the ownership of the vehicle.
A summons for a violation of this section shall be executed by mailing a copy of the summons by first-class mail to the address of the owner of the vehicle as shown on the records of the Department of Motor Vehicles. If the person fails to appear on the date of return set out in the summons, a new summons shall be issued and delivered to the sheriff of the county, city, or town for service on the accused personally. If the person so served then fails to appear on the date of return set out in the summons, proceedings for contempt shall be instituted.
Any person convicted of a violation of this section shall be subject to a civil penalty of no more than $500.
All penalties collected under this section shall be paid into the state treasury to be credited to the Literary Fund as provided in § 46.2-114.
1990, c. 725; 2020, cc. 964, 965.
Structure Code of Virginia
Chapter 12 - Abandoned, Immobilized, Unattended and Trespassing Vehicles; Parking
§ 46.2-1200.1. Abandoning motor vehicles prohibited; penalty
§ 46.2-1200.2. Vehicles registered to active duty military personnel
§ 46.2-1200.3. Limitation on removal and sale of abandoned vehicles
§ 46.2-1202. Search for owner and secured party; notice
§ 46.2-1202.1. Vehicle Removal Certificates
§ 46.2-1202.2. Notice of intent to auction and sale of vehicle; posting requirements
§ 46.2-1203. Sale of vehicle at public auction by locality; disposition of proceeds
§ 46.2-1205. Disposition of inoperable abandoned vehicles
§ 46.2-1207. Certification of disposal; reimbursement of locality by Commissioner
§ 46.2-1209. Unattended or immobile vehicles, generally
§ 46.2-1210. Motor vehicles immobilized by weather conditions, accidents, or emergencies
§ 46.2-1211. Removal of motor vehicles obstructing movement; storage; payment of costs
§ 46.2-1214. Sale of personal property found in unattended or abandoned vehicles
§ 46.2-1217. Local governing body may regulate certain towing
§ 46.2-1217.1. Towing of certain large vehicles; civil penalty
§ 46.2-1218. Reports by persons in charge of garages, parking places, etc.; unclaimed vehicles
§ 46.2-1219. Regulation of vehicular and pedestrian traffic on certain parking lots
§ 46.2-1222. Regulation of parking on secondary highways by certain counties
§ 46.2-1222.2. Local ordinances prohibiting parking of certain vehicles
§ 46.2-1224. County ordinances prohibiting certain parking in streets and highways
§ 46.2-1224.1. Local ordinances regulating certain parking; penalty
§ 46.2-1225. Enforcement provisions in city or county parking ordinances
§ 46.2-1226. Enforcement of regulations governing parking in Capitol Square
§ 46.2-1227. Enforcement of state regulations governing parking on primary and secondary highways
§ 46.2-1228. Enforcement of parking regulations of boards of visitors of educational institutions
§ 46.2-1230. Authority of counties, cities, and towns to issue parking permits
§ 46.2-1231.1. Immunity from liability for certain towing
§ 46.2-1232. Localities may regulate removal or immobilization of trespassing vehicles
§ 46.2-1233. Localities may regulate towing fees
§ 46.2-1233.1. Limitation on charges for towing and storage of certain vehicles
§ 46.2-1233.3. Improper towing; penalty
§ 46.2-1235. Authority of Chesterfield County law-enforcement officers to issue parking tickets
§ 46.2-1239. Parking in certain locations; penalty
§ 46.2-1239.1. (Contingent expiration date - See Editor's note) Potomac River Bridge Towing Compact