Car Repossession Laws Vary from state to state. Here is a quick summary table that tells you the state, when someone can legally order a repossession, and a summary of the process.
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| State | When Repossession Can Occur | Repossession Process |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Varies depending on loan/lease terms; see contract | May repossess without court order if no breach of peace |
| Alaska | After 1 missed payment; see contract | May disable or repossess on property without court order if no breach of peace |
| Arizona | After 1 missed payment, lender can accelerate loan | May repossess/disable on property without court order if no breach of peace |
| Arkansas | As soon as in default, e.g. 1 missed payment | May disable or repossess on property without court order if no breach of peace |
| California | After 1 missed payment | May repossess on property without court order if no breach of peace |
| Colorado | 10 days after missed payment; 20 day notice period | May disable or repossess on property without court order if no breach of peace |
| Connecticut | As soon as in default; 10 day repo notice required | May disable or repossess on property without court order |
| Delaware | As soon as miss a payment; see contract | May disable or repossess on property without court order if no breach of peace |
| Florida | As soon as in default, e.g. 1 missed payment | May take possession/disable on property without court order if no breach of peace |
| Georgia | After 1 missed payment typically | May disable or repossess on property without court order if no breach of peace |
| Hawaii | Varies by contract | May disable or repossess on property without court order if no breach of peace |
| Idaho | 10 days after default; 10 day notice period | May disable or repossess on property without court order; may pursue legal action |
| Illinois | After 1 missed payment | May disable or repossess on property without court order if no breach of peace |
| Indiana | Upon default on terms like missed payment or no insurance | May disable or repossess on property without court order if no breach of peace |
| Iowa | 10+ days late; 20 day notice period | May disable or repossess on property without court order if no breach of peace |
| Kansas | 10+ days late; notice period | May disable or repossess on property without court order if no breach of peace |
| Kentucky | Upon falling behind on payments | May disable or repossess on property without court order if no breach of peace |
| Louisiana | Upon default per contract terms | May take possession/disable on property without court order if no breach of peace |
| Maine | 10+ days late; notice period | May disable or repossess on property without court order if no breach of peace |
| Maryland | After 1 missed payment; notices may be required | May disable or repossess on property without court order if no breach of peace |
| Massachusetts | 10+ days late; 21 day notice period | May repossess on private/public property without court order if no breach of peace |
| Michigan | Upon default per contract | May disable or repossess on property without court order if no breach of peace |
| Minnesota | As soon as late payment | May disable or repossess on property without court order if no breach of peace |
| Mississippi | Upon default per contract | May disable/repossess on property without court order if no breach of peace |
| Missouri | 10+ days late; 20 day notice period | May disable/repossess on property without court order if no breach of peace |
| Montana | Upon default per contract | Rules vary for reservations; may wait off reservation to repossess |
| Nebraska | As soon as miss payment; notice period | May disable/repossess on property without court order if no breach of peace |
| Nevada | 30+ days late | May disable/repossess on private property without court order if no breach of peace |
| New Hampshire | 10+ days late per contract | May disable/repossess on property without court order if no breach of peace |
| New Jersey | Upon default per contract | May disable/repossess on property without court order if no breach of peace |
| New Mexico | Upon default per contract | May disable/repossess on property without court order if no breach of peace |
| New York | Upon default per contract | May disable/repossess on property without court order if no breach of peace |
| North Carolina | Upon default per contract | May repossess/disable on property without court order |
| North Dakota | As early as 1 missed payment per contract | May disable/repossess on property without court order if no breach of peace |
| Ohio | Upon default on payments per contract | May disable/repossess on property without court order if no breach of peace |
| Oklahoma | Upon default per contract | May disable/repossess on property without court order if no breach of peace |
| Oregon | Upon default per contract | May disable/repossess on property without court order if no breach of peace |
| Pennsylvania | Upon falling behind on payments per contract | May disable/repossess on property without court order if no breach of peace |
| Rhode Island | 10+ days late; notice period | May disable/repossess on property without court order if no breach of peace |
| South Carolina | Upon falling behind; notice may be required | May disable/repossess on property without court order if no breach of peace |
| South Dakota | Upon default; notice may be required | May disable/repossess on property without court order if no breach of peace |
| Tennessee | Upon default per contract | May disable/repossess on property without court order if no breach of peace |
| Texas | Upon default per contract | May disable/repossess without court order if no breach of peace |
| Utah | Upon default on payments | May disable/repossess on property without court order if no breach of peace |
| Vermont | Upon default per contract | May repossess/disable on property without court order if no breach of peace |
| Virginia | 10+ days late; no notice required | May disable/repossess on property without court order if no breach of peace |
| Washington | Upon default per contract; no notice required | May repossess/disable on property without court order if no breach of peace |
| Washington DC | After missed payment; 10 day notice | May disable/repossess on property without court order if no breach of peace |
| West Virginia | 5+ days late; notice may be required | May disable/repossess on property without court order if no breach of peace |
| Wisconsin | Typically 10+ days late; 15 day notice | May disable/repossess on property without court order if no breach of peace |
| Wyoming | Upon default per contract; no notice required | May disable/repossess on property without court order if no breach of peace |
