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 |