Why was my vehicle impounded?
Your vehicle was impounded because you or another person who was driving your vehicle has:
- a suspended driver license
- a revoked driver license
- never been issued a driver license
The registered owner can also be cited for allowing an unlicensed driver to drive their vehicle. Here are some common circumstances:
I let ‘so and so’ drive. I didn’t know his or her license was not valid.
If it’s your vehicle, it’s your responsibility. Under section 14604 CVC, the owner of a vehicle has a duty to ensure the person driving their vehicle possesses a valid license. If you allow or permit anyone, including your spouse, child, friend or relative to drive your vehicle and that person does not have a valid license, you will be responsible for towing and storage fees. You will not have access to your vehicle for 30 days.
He or she took the car without my permission.
To say that someone has taken your car without your permission is not a valid excuse. Ask yourself how this happened. Have you allowed this person to use your car in the past? Do they have access to your vehicle? Did you ask to see their license?
To say that someone without a valid license has taken your vehicle without your knowledge or permission, is in fact, cause for a stolen vehicle report to be filed. That person will be arrested for vehicle theft and prosecuted for that crime.
What if I don’t agree with the officer who impounded my car?
The registered owner may request a post-storage hearing. It is a review of the tow as provided for in the California Vehicle Code. This is an administrative review to determine whether the officer had reasonable cause to tow the vehicle.
I am the owner of the car and I have a valid license.
This law follows the driver of the vehicle at the time it was towed. The hold will be lifted if the driver obtains a valid license prior to the end of the 30 days. **The driver’s license status is what determines the hold.** The registered owner should come to the police department for a release once the driver of their vehicle acquires a valid license. The fact that you, the owner, have a valid license is not relevant.
What can be done about illegally parked vehicles, such as those blocking a driveway?
Call the Police Department’s non-emergency number at and an officer will be dispatched. If the person who reported the illegally parked vehicle lives at the location, goes out to meet the officer, and explains to them that he or she lives at the location and cannot leave the driveway due to its being blocked, the officer can impound the vehicle.
