DPW’s Abandoned Vehicle Operations (AVO) inspectors circulate throughout the District looking for abandoned and dangerous vehicles to investigate then remove from public and private property. Dangerous vehicles may be removed from public and private property immediately, once they have been ticketed. Abandoned vehicles will be removed within five business days from public space and 45 days from private property.

How You Can Help

• Residents also can report an abandoned or dangerous vehicle by calling 311.

Just the Facts

• Dangerous vehicles may have rat harborage, sharp metal edges, broken glass or seeping fluids.
• Vehicles with expired registration or are missing their license plates will be removed from public space immediately, once they have been ticketed.
• AVO staff will attempt to locate and notify the vehicle’s owner or any lien holder of record once a vehicle has been impounded at the Blue Plains Impoundment and Storage Facility, 5001 Shepherd Parkway, SW.
• Vehicles that remain unclaimed after 28 days of notification are sold at public auction online at www.dcgovt.govdeals.com or scrapped.
• AVO staff removed 2,600 abandoned and dangerous vehicles in FY 2008.