You should follow these 5 steps if your vehicle has been impounded for a DUI in Ontario.
1/ Find out which towing company is holding your vehicle
- When you’re arrested for a DUI in Ontario, the Police will immediately arrange to have your vehicle towed to an impound yard.
- When the Police release you from custody, they will give you paperwork that should include information about which towing company is holding your vehicle.
- And, that paperwork should also include the location of the tow yard where your vehicle is impounded.
- If you did not get that paperwork, you need to contact the police station where you were taken and ask for the impound details.
- Most police stations have a non-emergency phone number that you can call. You can find that contact number on Google.
2/ Confirm the vehicle is in the tow yard
- You should call the tow company holding your vehicle to confirm the specific location where your car is held.
- This is important because a towing company may have multiple impound yards in different locations, so you want to make sure you know the right location.
3/ Confirm the release date
- On the Police paperwork, there will be a clear statement of how long the impound will be.
- When you call the tow yard, you want to confirm that the tow company’s release date matches the release date indicated on the Police paperwork.
- If the tow yard has a different, longer release date than that indicated on the Police paperwork, then contact the Police station where you were taken and ask them to fix that release date problem with the tow yard.
4/ Confirm the impound costs
- When on the phone with the tow company, you should confirm the total cost of the impound.
- Generally, there are 3 fees. The cost to tow your vehicle to the yard. Extra kilometre fees if the distance to the tow yard is excessive. And finally, the daily storage fee.
- Make sure you get 100% clarity on what these fees are.
- And, make sure you get the full contact name of the person you spoke to at the tow yard.
5/ Make arrangements to get your vehicle
- By the time your vehicle is up for release, likely, your drivers’ license will still be suspended.
- So you will need to make arrangements with someone to go with you to the tow yard to get your vehicle and drive it to where you need it to go.
- Make sure you do not drive during your driving license suspension, as you will be subject to another very serious charge.
What happens when your vehicle is impounded for a DUI in Ontario?
When a vehicle is impounded for a DUI in Ontario, the vehicle is taken into police custody and held for a set period of time. During this time, the owner is responsible for paying impound fees and may not be able to use the vehicle. After the impound period is over, the owner may retrieve the vehicle by paying any outstanding fees and fulfilling any other requirements set by the police.
What are the 5 next steps to take after a DUI vehicle impound in Ontario?
The 5 next steps to take after a DUI vehicle impound in Ontario are: (1) determine the length of the impound period, (2) gather information on the fees and requirements for retrieving the vehicle, (3) arrange for alternative transportation, (4) consider the impact on your insurance, and (5) consult with a DUI lawyer to understand your legal options.
