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Tow Carriers and Abandoned Vehicles

DRIVES Information

Colorado Driver License, Record, Identification and Vehicle Enterprise Solution (Colorado DRIVES) is the state system which contains driver licenses, driver records and vehicle registration records.  If your organization would like to have access to this data, you will need to complete the End User License Agreement (EULA) requesting access to DRIVES.   

The EULA

  1. Updates the terms and conditions which allow you to access DMV systems that must be updated on an annual basis.
  2. Designates the primary administrator (point of contact) for your agency, who will be able to grant access to other representatives. If you are the only user, then by default you will be the administrator.

EULA must be uploaded along with registration at https://dmvpartner.colorado.gov?link=3paRegistration with passcode of MVPrecords as soon as possible. If you have any changes to this information prior to account creation please log in to https://dmvpartner.colorado.gov/_/ and Update or email dor_vehicleportal@state.co.us. If this information is not submitted, your organization will no longer have access to DMV systems.

Once the EULA is submitted, you will receive additional information regarding training on the new DRIVES system. Training materials are available below

If you have additional questions, please email dor_vehicleportal@state.co.us.

Tow Carrier Training

Watch this Vehicle Search training video.

If you have any issues or questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at dor_vehicleportal@state.co.us.

House Bill 16-056

Pursuant to HB16-1056, tow carriers who complete title searches via DRIVES system, in person or via mail, for private and public tows, who receive a “No Record Found” will have to complete a national database search either in person or through the DRIVES system for vehicles towed on or after January 1, 2017. 

For more information on this change, see the memo issued August 5, 2016 and the training PowerPoint. 

Training Presentation for Abandoned Vehicle Title Search HB 16-1056

House Bill 22-1314

(42-4-2103 3(C)(I)(A) Not more than ten days after a motor vehicle has been towed, an operator or its agent shall determine who the owner is and whether there is a lienholder notify the owner and any lienholder by sending a notice by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the address of the owner and any lienholder as determined from records of the department or from the national search performed by the department in accordance with subsection (3)(c)(IV) of this section. An operator should wait twenty-four hours after the tow to notify the owner and any lienholder and send the notice as reasonably practical after the twenty-four hours. An operator shall not charge more than seventy-five dollars to send the notice.

House Bill 22-1314 can be found in its entirety here.

Forms

DR 2489A - Motor Vehicle Requestor Release Affidavit of Intended Use

DR 2008 - Public Tow Vehicle Information Request

DR 2008A - Private Tow Vehicle Information Request

DR 2698 Verification of Vehicle Identification Number

DR 2173 Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale

DR 2773 - Abandonment of Motor Vehicles Private Tow Requirements Checklist

DR 2774 - Law Enforcement Public Tow Requirements Checklist

When requesting a National Database Search, what forms are required?

Public - A valid DR2489A Motor Vehicle Requestor Release Affidavit of Intended Use is required from either the Law Enforcement Agency (LEA) or the tow company.

Private – Tow Company must submit DR2489A Motor Vehicle Requestor Release Affidavit of Intended Use. 

3 Ways to Submit this Form: 

  1. Submit online at https://dmvpartner.colorado.gov
  2. Via Mail:
    Colorado Department of Revenue Vehicle Services Section- Back Office Cashiering
    P.O. Box 173350
    Denver, CO 80217-3350
  3. In-person (appointment required):
    Department of Revenue
    1881 Pierce St.
    Lakewood, CO 80214
Does the odometer reading need to be completed on the DR2698 Verification of Vehicle Identification Number?

Odometer must be listed on the DR2698 Verification of Vehicle Identification Number per C.R.S. 42-3-105(c)(I)

Are Colorado law enforcement agencies required to submit payment for abandoned vehicle searches?

LEAS are not required to submit payment for National Database searches. 

How do Tow Companies make a payment for National Database Searches?
  • Mailed in applications - submit a separate check of $2.20 for each record search in the form of a check or money order.
  • Walk-in applications by appointment - clerks will process up to ten record searches over the counter per day per company. If a company has more than ten searches they can drop off at the dealer/OOS window and will be processed within 24 hours. Please attach a check to each record search, in case of rejections.  (You may pay by one check if waiting)
  • Through the DRIVES system
Do Tow Companies and LEA need to check other sources such as NCIC or NMVTIS?

Per Colorado Statute the Colorado Record Search and the National Database search must be completed and no additional websites need to be referenced. 

Can the National Database searches be completed via email or fax?

LEA agencies can email or fax the National Data Base searches because there is no payment required. Tow Companies must use either DRIVES, mail or utilize in person Pierce services.

What paperwork would the Tow Operator send to the Department of Revenue when disposing of a private abandoned vehicle towed to a crusher or salvage yard and not filing for a title?

You would send a copy of theDR 2173 Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale with "JUNK" or "CRUSH" written on the form by Statute in a timely manner.

Please mail to the following address:
Colorado Department of Revenue Vehicle Services Section - Back Office Cashiering
P.O. Box 173350
Denver, CO 80217-3350

When processing the paperwork to place a mechanics lien on a vehicle abandoned at a repair shop, after repairing it, are we required to do a national title search like tow operators, if we receive a No Record Found search result?

A national title search is only required for a public and private tow.

Can tow operators and the Law Enforcement Agency share National Database Search information?

No. Federal law requires protection of this information. Each entity (tow operator and law enforcement) must perform separate National Title Searches to comply with statute when a “No Record Found” search result is received from the Colorado Motor Vehicle Record Search.

As a law enforcement officer, performing a public tow on a vehicle deemed abandoned, I would complete the DR 2008 Public Tow Vehicle Information Request and conduct a title/registration search through DOR. Would I attach the results of that search to the DR 2008 when I send it by certified mail to notify the owner and/or lienholder?

The Colorado Motor Vehicle Record Search Results are not sent to the Owner of Record. It would be provided to the buyer/purchaser of the vehicle when the result indicates “No Record Found”. For abandoned vehicles towed on or after January 1, 2017, tow operators and law enforcement would retain search results during the 3 year retention period.

When a law enforcement officer is on the scene of a motor vehicle accident, and calling a tow off a rotation, the tow company arrives on scene and tows a vehicle. This could qualify as a private tow or a public tow. Does it matter if the tow company makes contact with the vehicle operator or not? Sometimes the occupants are taken by ambulance and the tow company never makes contact with the driver.

It would be considered a Private Tow if the vehicle owner gives consent to the tow operator. The agreement would be between the vehicle owner and the tow operator. Law Enforcement would be removed from the process. If consent to tow is not given by the vehicle owner then it would be considered a Public Tow.

What is required when a CCIC/NCIC search and title/registration search is returned No Record Found? Is there a way for law enforcement to perform a national query?

At this time, it is optional to contact a specific state to request a search if you have information that would lead you to believe the car is registered there. However, with abandoned vehicles towed on or after January 1, 2017, a National Title Search is required to be performed when a Colorado Motor Vehicle Record Search result indicates “No Record Found."

If the DR2173 Bill of Sale has an odometer reading, and the counties run the NMVTIS report which indicates exempt, is a new BOS required because they must match (similar to dealers writing exempt in the odometer field on their dealer BOS if the title reads exempt)?

If the odometer reading is on the Bill of Sale, but the title or NMVTIS report is exempt, a new BOS is not required. The new title is processed as exempt.

If a vehicle is disabled to a point that an odometer reading couldn't be received, is a DR2444-Statement of Fact acceptable to explain the reasoning behind the issue? If the vehicle is not yet 10 years old then would they put in some number like 01 followed by NA (not actual)?

An odometer reading is required on all VIN verifications. Attempts must be made to ascertain the reading from the vehicle. A DR 2444 would explain that it is now N/A but the reading is still required on the VIN Verification. For vehicles under 10 years old, it is required to be disclosed as well.

When completing a DR 2489A Motor Vehicle Record Search Request form, can it be emailed with a credit card number to be kept on file or should it be mailed in with a check for each search requested?

Colorado Motor Vehicle Record Search requests cannot be emailed with any form of payment. It can be completed online, by mail or in-person. If you choose the online method, please access the following websitehttps://dmvpartner.colorado.gov/_/to create a new profile if you are a first time user. Once the profile is completed, the Department of Revenue,  Vehicle Services Section will set up your account to perform record searches online. Another option is mailing a check to the Department of Revenue for the total amount and include the payment voucher that will be attached to the bottom of the statement. If you decide to mail-in your record searches to the Department, a check should be sent with the record search request. In regards to In-person requests, credit cards, cash or a check can be accepted. The in-person location and address is the Department of Revenue 1881 Pierce St., Lakewood, CO, 80214.

Why is this necessary for the tow operators to send notification to the vehicle owners and/or lienholders if the responsible law enforcement agency is also processing them?

Colorado Revised Statutes 42-4-1804. Abandoned of motor vehicles - public property, states both the responsible law enforcement agency and the tow operator are required to perform record searches to determine if there is an owner and a lienholder represented in department records and send a notice by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the address of the owner as shown in the Department of Motor Vehicle records. As a tow company, you will retain your documents (DR 2008 from the responsible law enforcement agency, copy of DR 2489A Motor Vehicle Record Search Results, copy of the certified return receipt, and letter to the owner. Keep in mind, a DR 2008 to notify the vehicle owner and/or lienholder can be sent instead of a form letter.) The responsible law enforcement agency should initiate the tow and send the forms to the Department. In addition, abandoned vehicles towed on or after January 1, 2017, a National Title Search must be performed when a Colorado Motor Vehicle Search result indicates "No Record Found" . You would complete a DR 2489A and mail it to the Department or provide in-person at the Pierce St. location in Lakewood. This search can be done online and the fee is $2.20.

Can more than one record search be added to page 4 of the revised DR 2489A which will be effective for use with abandoned vehicles towed on or after January 1, 2017?

When mailing record searches to the Department, more than one record search quantity can be added to page 4 of the revised DR 2489A (effective for abandoned vehicles towed on or after 1/1/2017) . Keep in mind, page 1 and 3 are required for each record search. Also, when doing multiple searches no refunds will be issued to searches that are rejected

Is an original or scanned copy of the required Abandoned Vehicles forms okay to present to the county for processing?

Yes, C.R.S. 42-6-102 defines a signature as either a written signature or an electronic signature.

How can the tow operator get the odometer reading from an abandoned vehicle if the doors are locked?

Federal law requires an odometer reading. The doors being locked does not negate this requirement. The keys must be obtained. When a vehicle is under 10 years old and an odometer reading is required, the tow operator is responsible to make a key and do what is necessary to read the odometer and record it on the DR 2173 Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale. The Department of Revenue, Title and Registration Section would need proof of the effort to get a key made and a DR 2444 Statement of Fact indicating the true odometer cannot be obtained. An estimate of the mileage must be disclosed and the indicator would be “Not Actual’.

Can law enforcement run their own national record search through National Crime Information Center (NCIC) or the Colorado Computer Crime Information Center (CCIC) computer system?

Per HB 16-1056, the Department shall conduct a title search with an entity that has a national database; may retrieve records based on both the VIN and license plate number; and provides the following information: The vehicle identification number, license plate number, owner’s name and contact information, and the lienholder’s name and contact number. The NCIC/CCIC database does not provide all of the above listed requirements.

Can a tow operator or law enforcement perform only the national record search if the vehicle has out of state plates?

C.R.S. 42-4-1804 and 42-4-2103 states the department shall search its records to determine if the vehicle is registered in the State of Colorado. For abandoned vehicles towed on or after January 1, 2017, if the vehicle is not registered with the Department, the Department shall conduct a National Title Search.

If the Colorado Motor Vehicle record search result indicates the plates are expired, can a National Title Search be completed anyway?

Yes, a national title search is optional when a Colorado Record Search of a vehicle owner and/or lienholder is found.

Is it acceptable to enter “exempt” in the odometer field on the DR 2173 Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale or on the VIN Inspection if the vehicle is over 10 years old?

Exempt can be entered in the odometer field of the DR 2173 Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale.

How can a P.O.S.T. Certified Law Enforcement Officer get more of the DR 2704 Certified VIN Inspection forms?

The DR 2704 Certified VIN Inspection forms are supplied to a P.O.S.T. Certified Peace Officer or P.O.S.T. Certified VIN Inspector. The P.O.S.T. Certified Peace Officer/VIN Inspector would contact the Colorado State Patrol (CSP) P.O.S.T. Certified VIN Instructor at 303-239-4545 for more forms when needed

Do I have to attach a copy of the Colorado Title Record Search to the DR 2008 or DR 2008A as instructed on each form?

The DR 2008 and DR 2008A does indicate to attach the Colorado Title Record Search. However, it is not required and will be removed from both forms the next time they are updated. It is still required for the box to be checked when applicable even though the Colorado Title Record is not attached.

How would the Colorado State Patrol (CSP) determine the value of a vehicle as stated on the DR 2173 Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale form?

Any licensed Colorado automobile dealer may give an appraisal. Another option is to used the appraised value from a CURRENT Kelley Blue Book www.kbb.com or N.A.D.A. Official Used Car Guide www.nada.com  In either case, the appraisal must be for the current condition of the vehicle.

Would the Tow Operators and Law Enforcement have to wait to receive a “No Record Found” from the Colorado Record search and the new National Database search before the buyer purchases a surety bond?

Yes, both the Colorado and National Record searches must be completed prior to the buyer purchasing a surety bond for vehicles with a model year of less than 5 years.

What is the Law Enforcement Agency (LEA) responsibility when law enforcement calls a Tow Operator for a public tow and the vehicle goes to the Tow Company's storage yard?

Currently, the responsible Law Enforcement Agency must submit as soon as possible, but no later than 10 working days after the vehicle has been towed a record search request to the Colorado Department of Revenue, DMV Title and Registration Section by electronic submission through internet communication (DRIVES) or by submission of the DR 2489A Colorado Motor Vehicle Record Search Request by first class mail, certified mail or by personal delivery. In addition, the responsible LEA within 10 working days after the receipt of the completed record search from the Department, must notify the owner(s) and any lienholder(s) of record.


If the responsible LEA uses a tow operator to store the motor vehicle, the responsible LEA must notify the owner(s) and any lienholder(s) by first class mail. If the responsible LEA does not use a tow operator to store the motor vehicle, the responsible LEA must notify the owner(s) and any lienholder(s) by certified mail, return receipt requested.

Vehicle that are not retrieved shall be sold or disposed of in the following time frame:

Vehicles shall be sold or disposed of not less than 30 calendar days and no more than 60 calendar days from the postmark date of the notification. Vehicles with a “no Colorado record found” shall be sold or disposed of not less than 30 calendar days and no more than 60 calendar days from the date that the record search was completed.

Effective January 1, 2017, a National Record Search must be completed if no Colorado record is found.