California Codes, Business and Professions Code - BPC, Division 3 — Professions and Vocations Generally, Chapter 11 — Repossessors, Article 8 — Conduct of Business, Section 7507.12

(a) With regard to collateral subject to registration under the Vehicle Code, a repossession is complete if any of the following occurs:

(1) The repossessor gains entry to the collateral.

(2) The collateral becomes connected to a tow truck or the repossessor’s tow vehicle, as those terms are defined in Section 615 of the Vehicle Code.

(3) The repossessor moves the entire collateral present.

(4) The repossessor gains control of the collateral.

(b) No person other than the legal owner may direct a repossessor to release a vehicle without legal authority to do so.