Shop Parts keyboard_double_arrow_right
Need car parts? Select your vehicle
Reading Time: 3 minutes
Summary
  • An orange violation sticker on a car window means that the local law enforcement has tagged it as “abandoned.”
  • Typically, abandoned cars get an orange sticker if they’ve been left parked in a public area for a certain amount of time dependent on state and city laws. Vehicles parked in private property without the property owner’s permission and those withheld by a repair shop for an unpaid bill can also be tagged with an orange violation sticker.
  •  If your vehicle’s been tagged with an orange violation sticker, you’ll have a 10-day grace period before the vehicle is towed away. If it’s already been towed, you’ll need to follow its trail to the impound lot and pay various fees for its release.

You might’ve seen orange violation stickers on car windows before. They’re typically seen on vehicles on the side of the road or on vehicles that have been impounded. These vehicles carry the sticker either on the windshield or rear window. But what do these strange stickers mean, and should you be concerned if you see one on your vehicle?

The Meaning of Orange Violation Stickers

If you see an orange violation sticker on a vehicle, it means local law enforcement has tagged it as “abandoned.” If the owner of the vehicle fails to remove the vehicle from its current location within a specified amount of time, then the vehicle will be impounded. If no owner is found and the vehicle remains unclaimed in the impound lot, the vehicle will likely eventually be put up for public auction.

What Constitutes an “Abandoned” Vehicle?

Typically, abandoned cars get an orange sticker if they’ve been left parked in a public area for a certain amount of time. Law enforcers tag these vehicles with orange stickers once they’ve surpassed the time appointed by city and state law. The amount of time differs from state to state and at times city to city. For instance, some Californian cities allot 72 hours to a vehicle parked in a public area before they’re tagged with an orange sticker. Meanwhile, the state of Colorado only allows vehicles to remain parked in public areas for 24 hours before the vehicle is stickered.

There are also instances when abandoned vehicles are tagged with the sticker even outside of public property. This usually applies to vehicles parked on private property without the property owner’s permission and vehicles held by repair shops when their owners fail to pay the repair bill. Again, the specific laws differ from state to state, so it’s best to check the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) website for your specific city and state for the exact time frames and stipulations in place.

What To Do If Your Vehicle Has an Orange Sticker

If your vehicle has been tagged by an orange violation sticker, what you do next depends on how long it’s been since the sticker was placed. Most states have a 10-day grace period before an abandoned vehicle is towed away. You’ll be notified that your vehicle’s been deemed “abandoned” and tagged with an orange violation sticker and will have the chance to move or repair it.

If your vehicle is too damaged to drive, you’ll need to hire a tow truck to bring it to a repair shop. However, if the grace period has already passed and your vehicle’s been taken to the impound lot, you might need to trace where it’s gone before you can move it.

Try contacting the local police via a non-emergency police hotline to find out where the vehicle was taken. After that, you’ll need to pay a fee at the impound lot. These fees can add up quickly since they might include the actual towing to the lot, the mileage rate, a release fee, a parking tax, and the fee for the first hour of storage. Certain states also require you to pay fines for abandoning your vehicle in the first place.

Now you know what an orange violation sticker on a car window means. It’s handy to keep these lesser-known vehicular laws and violation tags in mind, especially since you never know when they’ll come up. If you ever need to abandon your broken-down vehicle temporarily, you now know you need to return and have it moved as soon as possible to avoid any complications. Alternatively, you now know where to go to find your abandoned vehicle if it’s already been towed.

About The Authors
Written By Automotive and Tech Writers

The CarParts.com Research Team is composed of experienced automotive and tech writers working with (ASE)-certified automobile technicians and automotive journalists to bring up-to-date, helpful information to car owners in the US. Guided by CarParts.com's thorough editorial process, our team strives to produce guides and resources DIYers and casual car owners can trust.

Reviewed By Automotive Features Reviewer at CarParts.com

Lisa Conant grew up in Canada around a solid contingency of gear heads and DIY motor enthusiasts and isn’t afraid to get some grime under her own fingernails. She is an eclectic writer with a varied repertoire in the automotive industry, writing numerous product round-ups and reviews, how-to-guides, and research pieces with a focus on daily drivers and recreational vehicles. When she’s not writing about lift kits and paint chip solutions, you can find her hanging out in New Hampshire with her family and her car-hating cats.

Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultation with a professional mechanic. The accuracy and timeliness of the information may change from the time of publication.

File Under : Lifestyle , For the Car Owner
Westin Tonneau Cover Rebate
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
expand_more
CarParts.com Fix-It-Forum BE PART OF OUR COMMUNITY: Share your knowledge & help fellow drivers Join Now