Monaco

  1. Under what circumstances can a stolen vehicle be seized in your country?
  • A stolen vehicle may be seized during a routine police check, subject to agreement by the Public Prosecutor.
  1. What channels are used to notify the owner of the vehicle’s location (Interpol or other)?
  • The vehicle owner is informed via Interpol where the vehicle can be found.
  1. Who is responsible for the storage of seized vehicles?
  • The vehicle pound is responsible for storing seized vehicles.
  1. Are there any costs associated with storage of a seized stolen vehicle and who is responsible for these costs?
  • Storage of a stolen vehicle which has been seized can result in costs which have to be borne by the owner or the insurance company.
  1. How does a stolen vehicle get restored to its legal owner?
    a) Do the police have authority to restore the vehicle?
  • The Police are empowered to return the vehicle, with the agreement of the Public Prosecutor.

b) Is it the local court who authorises release of the vehicle?

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c) Is it necessary to have a “commission rogatoire” to recover the vehicle?

  • Letters rogatory are not necessary for a vehicle to be returned.

d) What documentation does the owner have to provide in order to recover the vehicle?

  • The owner must provide all the vehicle’s documents (registration document and valid insurance certificate) and a document issued by the authorities in the place where the vehicle was stolen certifying that the theft has been reported.
  1. Are there any time limits associated with recovery of the vehicle? (i.e. after a certain period of time the vehicle becomes the property of the state or police, etc.)?
  • Once the owner has been informed that his vehicle has been found, it is up to him to take steps to recover it as soon as possible.

If, after a year and a day, a vehicle has not been recovered by its owner, it will be put up for auction (if its condition allows) or destroyed.

7. Please give details of relevant legislation

  1. If the law in your country precludes the restitution of a stolen vehicle to its original owner, please give the reasons why
  • Certain circumstances may prevent a stolen vehicle from being returned to its original owner (if it was used in the commission of a serious crime, such as armed robbery or drug trafficking, etc.). Whatever the circumstances, only the Public Prosecutor may authorize the restitution of a vehicle.
  1. Does your country have any bilateral treaties, conventions, or agreements with other countries dealing with the recovery of stolen property? If so, please describe how they operate and give details of the countries concerned
  • No.
  1. Reference point, for assistance in case of difficulties
  • If there are any problems, contact the contact officer at the Monaco NCB.

Last update : January 2000