Summary of the rules for transporting abandoned vehicles

Decree 30/2024. (Aug. 22.) of the Ministry of Construction and Transportation on the rules for the removal, storage and sale of vehicles immobilized on state public roads.

1. Removal of immobilized vehicles

The regulation applies to vehicles that are parked in a prohibited area; obstruct traffic or road maintenance or inspection or are abandoned on a state public road.

The time of the removal depends on the location of the vehicle:

• It may be removed immediately, if it is for example in a traffic lane, in the emergency lane of an expressway or in an area designated for urgent access.
• Within 2 hours: for example, if it is immobilized in an emergency lane or on a shoulder of a road.
• After 24 hours: in less busy areas, such as byways or maintenance bays.
• After 72 hours: in all other cases.
• If the vehicle obstructs the roadside inspection: 1 hour after the start of the inspection.

2. The removal procedure

• The road operator carries out the procedure, or assigns it to a representative.
• The vehicle is taken to a storage facility, except if the vehicle is less than 3.5 tons and has no defects that pollute or damage the public road, and the driver is present and agrees – in that case, it is sufficient to take the vehicle to a rest area.
• The driver must not hinder the removal.
• If the driver returns during the action, the removal must be interrupted, provided that the technical condition of the vehicle does not endanger traffic safety and the driver pays the costs of the initiated action.

3. What happens to the removed vehicle?

• The owner or operator of the vehicle receives notification, and may reclaim the vehicle within 30 days of receiving the notice.
• The road operator will repeat the notice one time, in case the owner or operator does not respond to the first notification.
• If the vehicle owner/operator does not respond after the second notification, the vehicle can be sold or scrapped.
• Unidentified vehicles may be opened in the presence of witnesses to identify the owner.

4. Costs

• The cost arising in connection with the removal, storage, potential sale or scrapping shall be paid by the owner/operator.
• The unit prices used as the basis for calculating the removal and storage costs are contained in Annex 1 of the Decree.
• Cases not included in Annex 1 – in particular the technical rescue of a vehicle damaged in an accident or for other reasons – are considered individual cases, for which the applicable fees are determined individually.
• In case of an interrupted action, an amount equal to at least 50% of the unit prices must be paid.
• The costs of transportation to a rest area or of the interrupted action must be paid on-the-spot, and upon retrieval in case of storage.

5. Sale of abandoned vehicles

• If no one reclaims the vehicle, it will first be put up for auction.
• If the auction is unsuccessful, another auction will be held within three months.
• If the second auction is also unsuccessful, the road operator will have the vehicle delivered to a registered dismantling or waste management facility.
• The amount thus generated is set aside for the owner – if they reclaim, they can receive it upon presenting a proof.
• The road operator will transport the unidentified vehicle to a registered dismantling waste management facility after 90 days of storage.

Annex 1 of the Decree 30/2024. (Aug. 22.) of the Ministry of Construction and Transportation Vehicle recovery fees

Passenger cars / vehicles with a maximum of 3.5 tons total weight

Trucks / Vehicles with a total weight over 3.5 tons