Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility Neilson bill to expedite abandoned vehicle processing passes House

Neilson bill to expedite abandoned vehicle processing passes House

Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus    June 26, 2025 | 9:37 AM

Legislation introduced by state Rep. Ed Neilson, D-Phila., that would expedite junk title processing of abandoned vehicles in the state passed the House today.

House Bill 593 would require PennDOT to complete certain administrative steps in processing abandoned vehicles and certificates of salvage within 10 business days to ensure a timely process.

Neilson, who chairs the House Transportation Committee, said that after clearing the scene of an accident or removing abandoned vehicles from the side of the road, tow truck operators often hold vehicles in storage at their own expense until the owner claims their property. In some cases, these vehicles, often in a state of poor condition with little value, are simply abandoned by their owners, forcing tow truck operators to file paperwork with PennDOT to obtain a junk title.

“Right now, it can take up to six months for PennDOT to process junk titles, which leaves tow truck operators responsible for the non-working vehicle,” Neilson said. “Ensuring the reasonable processing and delivery of junk titles will greatly assist tow truck operators who don’t have the space or resources to store vehicles for an extended period of time.”

This is the second time the House has passed this legislation, having sent a similar version to the state Senate in the last legislative session, where it languished. It again moves to that chamber for consideration.