Your Car Is Impounded, Now What?

Your vehicle may be impounded if you violate certain laws or regulations related to the operation or ownership of the vehicle, such as breaking traffic laws or using the vehicle in a crime. Impounding means it will be seized and taken into government or law enforcement custody.

If your vehicle is impounded, you must pay fees and meet requirements, such as resolving issues and obtaining documentation, to retrieve it. Failure to do so within a specified time can result in forfeiture and auction sales to cover costs, which we will cover in the below sections.

When the police impound your car, it means that your vehicle has been seized and is being held by law enforcement for different reasons.

• Notification: When a vehicle is subject to impoundment, the police officer will provide the driver with a notice of impoundment. If the impoundment is for 45 days, the Registrar of Motor Vehicles will notify you directly.
• Impound lot: The vehicle will then be immediately towed to an impound yard for seven days in Ontario (or however long the impoundment is stated for). There will be towing and storage fees associated with this.
• Proof of Ownership and Identification: To retrieve your impounded vehicle, you will typically need to provide proof of ownership (vehicle registration) and personal identification (driver's license).
• Resolution: The process for releasing your car will depend on the reason for impoundment. For traffic violations, you may need to pay fines or show that you've resolved the issue, such as proof of payment with a receipt. For evidence-related impoundments, the release may be subject to the conclusion of a criminal investigation.
• Legal consequences: If a vehicle is impounded for illegal activities (e.g. DUI, crime involvement), the driver/owner may face fines, penalties, or criminal charges.

Keep in mind the specific circumstances and procedures can vary depending on the jurisdiction and the reason for the impoundment.

Let's say you lent your car to a friend for the weekend. Unknown to you, Jane was pulled over by the police for speeding and subsequently arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol. The police impound your car because of their arrest.

In this scenario:

• You would contact the impound lot or towing company to find out why your car was impounded.
• You would explain to them that you were not the driver and provide proof of vehicle ownership.
• The police may investigate the circumstances and confirm that you were not the driver.
• If the friend was responsible for the impoundment, they might have to pay the impound fees, and your car would be released to you once those fees are settled.
• If their actions resulted in legal consequences, they would likely face penalties for the actions, including DUI charges.
• It's important to remember that laws and procedures can vary by jurisdiction, so it's advisable to consult with local law enforcement or legal counsel for guidance specific to your situation.

Did you know that the reason why your driver's license is suspended can determine how long your vehicle will be impounded? Don't let a simple mistake cause you to lose your vehicle for an extended period. Here are some examples:

• Criminal Code convictions, such as impaired driving or leaving the scene of a collision, carry a minimum sentence of 45 days impounded.
• The impound penalty for engaging in stunt driving or street racing is 14 days.
• Offences under the Highway Traffic Act, such as having a BAC of 0.08 or higher, or refusing a drug or alcohol test, result in a 7-day suspension.

Yes, having your car impounded can lead to an increase in your Ontario car insurance rate. While the incident of getting your vehicle seized may not directly trigger a premium increase, the underlying reasons for the impoundment can impact coverage costs in the following ways:

• Traffic violations: Many impoundments result from serious traffic violations such as DUI, speeding through construction zones or school zones, or driving without insurance. When your insurer becomes aware of these violations, they may classify you as high-risk, which leads to higher premiums due to your risk factor.
• License suspension: A suspended license from impoundment-related offences may increase your insurance premiums as it suggests you are a high-risk driver.
• Loss of coverage: Insurance providers may cancel your coverage if they learn that your car has been impounded due to serious violations. Finding another insurer might be difficult, and you may have to rely on a high-risk insurance provider, which can be costly.

The impact on your premiums might differ based on your policy, insurer, and location. The best way to prevent your insurance rates from rising is by having a clean driving record and avoiding any offences that could result in an impoundment.

If you have concerns about how an impoundment might affect your insurance, you should contact your broker directly to discuss your situation and potential premium adjustments.

The cost of getting your vehicle out of impoundment in Ontario can vary depending on several factors, including the reason, the duration of impoundment, and the specific impound lot or towing company involved.

• Towing Fee: You will typically need to pay a towing fee to cover the cost of having your vehicle towed to the impound lot. Towing fees can vary depending on the distance and other factors but can range from around $100 to $200 or more.
• Storage fees: The longer your vehicle remains in impoundment, the higher the storage fees will be. Storage fees can accrue daily and range from $50 to $100 or more per day. It's important to retrieve your vehicle as soon as possible to minimize these costs.
• Admin fees: Some impound lots may charge administrative costs for processing the release of your vehicle. These fees can vary but typically range from $50 to $100.
• Other fines and penalties: If your vehicle was impounded due to legal issues, such as driving violations or unpaid fines, address these and pay associated fees. Pay fines and impound fees if impounded due to unpaid parking tickets or other violations.

These are approximate costs, and they can change over time. Contacting the impound lot or towing company directly is essential to get accurate information on the specific costs and procedures. Consult the website of the Ontario Ministry of Transportation or contact them for the most up-to-date information on vehicle impoundment procedures and costs.