In addition to the penalties provided in the Oklahoma Vehicle License and Registration Act, after ninety (90) days from the expiration date for annual registration of a vehicle, the Corporation Commission, Department of Public Safety, county sheriffs, and all other duly authorized peace officers of this state may seize and take into custody every vehicle owned within this state not bearing or displaying a proper license plate required by the Oklahoma Vehicle License and Registration Act. The vehicle shall not be released to the owner until it is duly registered and the license, registration, or title fee and penalties due are paid in full, proof of security or an affidavit that the vehicle will not be used on public highways or public streets, as required pursuant to Section 7-600 et seq. of this title, is furnished, and the cost of seizure, including the reasonable cost of taking the vehicle into custody and storing the vehicle, have been paid. In the event the owner of any vehicle seized fails to pay such fees and penalties due, together with cost of seizure and storage, and fails to provide proof of security or an affidavit that the vehicle will not be used on public highways or public streets, the Office of Management and Enterprise Services shall proceed to sell the vehicle by posting not fewer than five notices of sale in five different public places in the county where the vehicle is located, one of such notices to be posted at the place where the vehicle is stored. A copy of the notice shall also be sent by certified mail, restricted delivery, with return receipt requested, to the last-known address of the registered owner of the vehicle. The vehicle shall be sold at such sale subject to the following terms and conditions:

1. In the event the sale price is equal to, or greater than, the total costs of sale, seizure and the fee and penalty, the purchaser shall be issued a certificate of purchase, license plate, manufactured home registration receipt and decal and registration certificate;

2. In the event the sale price is less than the total costs of sale, seizure, and the fee and penalty, the vehicle shall be sold as junk to the highest bidder, whereupon the bidder shall receive a certificate of purchase; and if the vehicle be dismantled, the record to the junked vehicle shall be canceled. If not dismantled, the vehicle shall be immediately registered; and

3. Any residual amount remaining unclaimed by the delinquent owner shall be administered in accordance with the Uniform Unclaimed Property Act.

Added by Laws 1986, c. 144, § 10, emerg. eff. April 21, 1986. Amended by Laws 1987, c. 6, § 7, emerg. eff. March 16, 1987; Laws 1991, c. 331, § 52, eff. Sept. 1, 1991; Laws 1993, c. 153, § 5, eff. Sept. 1, 1993; Laws 1998, c. 423, § 1; Laws 1999, c. 1, § 15, emerg. eff. Feb. 24, 1999; Laws 2004, c. 522, § 14, eff. July 1, 2004; Laws 2009, c. 181, § 1, eff. July 1, 2009; Laws 2012, c. 304, § 201.

NOTE: Laws 1998, c. 293, § 2 repealed by Laws 1999, c. 1, § 45, emerg. eff. Feb. 24, 1999.