Your car just got towed. You’re standing on the side of the road watching it disappear onto a flatbed, and the officer just told you it’s gone for 14 days. Not 14 hours. Fourteen days. And no, you can’t get it back early.
If you’re reading this from a Tim Hortons parking lot trying to figure out how you’re getting home, or from your couch two days later still processing what happened—this guide is for you. Let’s talk about the 14-day vehicle impound for stunt driving in Ontario, what it actually costs, what happens if the car isn’t yours, and what your real options are.
Why Does Your Car Get Impounded for Stunt Driving?
When police charge you with stunt driving under section 172 of Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act, two things happen immediately at the roadside: your licence gets suspended for 30 days, and your vehicle gets impounded for 14 days. These are administrative penalties—they kick in the moment you’re charged, before any court date, before any trial, and before you’ve been found guilty of anything.
Before Bill 282 (the Moving Ontarians More Safely Act, effective July 1, 2021), the vehicle impound was only 7 days. The government doubled it to 14 days as part of a broader crackdown on stunt driving. The 30-day licence suspension was also increased from 7 days at the same time.
The impound is mandatory. The officer has no discretion to let you drive away, park the car at home, or arrange for someone else to pick it up on the spot. The car goes on a flatbed to a police-designated impound lot, and that’s where it stays for 14 days.
Can You Get Your Car Back Before the 14 Days Are Up?
This is the question everyone asks, and the answer is almost always no. The 14-day impound period is set by law under the Highway Traffic Act. There is no standard process to apply for early release, no hardship exemption, and no appeal to a judge to shorten the impound period.
The only narrow exception involves situations where the vehicle belongs to someone other than the person charged. More on that below.
For the vast majority of drivers, the 14-day impound runs its full course regardless of the circumstances. Whether you need the car for work, whether you have medical appointments, whether you’re the sole caregiver for your family—the car stays impounded.
What If the Car Isn’t Yours?
This is one of the most frustrating situations that comes up with stunt driving impounds. The car that gets towed doesn’t always belong to the person charged. It could be:
A rental car. Rental companies will be notified, and you’ll typically be responsible for all fees plus any penalties under the rental agreement. The rental company may also pursue you for lost rental revenue during the impound period.
A car belonging to a friend or family member. The registered owner of the vehicle can apply for early release by demonstrating that they had no knowledge of, or involvement in, the stunt driving offence. This requires attending the impound lot with proof of ownership and filing the appropriate paperwork. Success is not guaranteed, but it is one of the few paths to getting a vehicle released before the 14 days are up.
A work vehicle. If the vehicle belongs to your employer, similar rules apply as with any third-party owner. The employer can apply for early release, but again, the process is not automatic.
If the vehicle is registered in your name—even if someone else is making payments on it, or if you share it with a partner—the impound runs the full 14 days. The law looks at registered ownership, not who uses the car day-to-day.
How Much Does the 14-Day Impound Cost?
The impound doesn’t come with a government fine, but the costs add up fast. You’re responsible for:
Towing fees: $250 to $500+, depending on where you were pulled over and the distance to the impound lot. If you were stopped on a highway far from the nearest lot, the tow bill can be significantly higher.
Daily storage fees: $50 to $80+ per day at most impound facilities. Over 14 days, that’s $700 to $1,120 in storage alone.
Total impound cost: $950 to $1,600+ for the standard 14-day period. Some drivers report costs exceeding $2,000 depending on the facility and tow distance.
These fees are your responsibility regardless of the outcome of your case. Even if your stunt driving charge is later withdrawn or reduced, you don’t get a refund on the impound costs. The administrative penalty and the court case are completely separate processes.
What Happens After the 14 Days?
After the impound period expires, you can retrieve your vehicle from the impound lot. But there’s a catch: you still can’t drive it. Your 30-day licence suspension continues for another 16 days after the car is released. You’ll need someone with a valid licence to drive the car out of the lot, or arrange for another tow.
Don’t let the car sit in the impound lot past the 14 days. Storage fees continue to accumulate daily, and a week of extra storage adds $350 to $560+ to your bill. Pick the car up on day 14 or as soon as possible after.
To retrieve the vehicle, you’ll need:
Proof of ownership (vehicle registration).
Valid identification.
Payment for all fees (most lots accept cash, debit, and credit card, but confirm in advance).
A licensed driver to drive the vehicle out if your licence is still suspended.
The Full Financial Picture of a Stunt Driving Charge
The impound cost is painful, but it’s just one piece of the overall financial impact. Here’s what a stunt driving charge can cost when you add everything up:
Vehicle impound (14 days): $950 to $1,600+
Alternative transportation (30 days): $400 to $800+ for taxis, rideshare, or transit during your licence suspension.
Lost income: $2,000 to $8,000+ if you depend on driving for work and can’t do your job during the suspension period.
Conviction fine (if convicted): $2,000 to $10,000 for a first offence.
Insurance increases (if convicted): 300–500% rate increases, pushing annual premiums from roughly $1,800 to $8,000–$15,000+ per year. Over three years, the excess insurance cost alone runs $16,200 to $35,100+.
The total financial impact of a stunt driving conviction reaches $25,000 to $75,000+ over three years. The impound is expensive, but it’s the conviction that does the real damage.
Can the Stunt Driving Charge Be Fought?
Yes—and the numbers are strongly in your favour.
Ontario court data from October 2024 to September 2025 shows that 11,284 stunt driving charges were filed across provincial offences courts. Of those, 5,451 (48.3%) were withdrawn before or during trial. That means nearly half of all stunt driving charges never resulted in a conviction.
Some courts have even higher withdrawal rates. Barrie withdrew 78.8% of stunt driving charges. Waterloo withdrew 87.3%. Even in courts with lower withdrawal rates, experienced legal representatives regularly negotiate reductions to careless driving or lesser speeding offences—outcomes that avoid the mandatory 1–2 year conviction suspension and the worst insurance consequences.
The 14-day impound can’t be undone, but the conviction penalties absolutely can be avoided. That’s why fighting the underlying charge matters so much.
What Should You Do Right Now?
Don’t panic. The impound is frustrating, but it’s temporary. Focus on what you can control—your defence.
Mark your calendar. Know exactly when the 14-day impound expires so you can retrieve the vehicle immediately. Every extra day in the lot costs you money.
Arrange alternative transportation. Your 30-day licence suspension has already started. Plan how you’ll get to work, appointments, and daily obligations. The sooner you figure this out, the less disruptive the next few weeks will be.
Get legal advice quickly. A legal representative can assess the strength of the Crown’s case, identify weaknesses in the evidence, and develop a strategy to get your charge withdrawn or reduced. The sooner you act, the more options you have.
Check Their Google Reviews
When you’re looking for a legal representative to fight your stunt driving charge, start with their Google reviews. A firm that handles hundreds of stunt driving cases per year should have hundreds of reviews from real clients. Look for reviews that specifically mention stunt driving, describe the communication experience, and discuss actual outcomes. This tells you whether the firm has relevant experience and whether past clients were satisfied with the process and results.
Look at Their Website
A firm’s website should profile the actual people who will represent you—their names, qualifications, and experience with stunt driving cases specifically. If the site is full of stock photos and generic legal language across a dozen practice areas, that’s a red flag. You want a firm whose website demonstrates deep, specific knowledge of Ontario stunt driving law, the courts, and the defence strategies that get results.
Verify Their Track Record
When you call, ask specific questions. How many stunt driving cases have they handled in the past year? What percentage of charges were withdrawn or reduced? Do they regularly appear at your local court? A firm with real experience will share real numbers without hesitation. The court you appear in matters—withdrawal rates range from 11.6% in York Region to 87.3% in Waterloo, and a representative who knows your specific court has a meaningful advantage.
What Real Clients Say About Fighting Stunt Driving Charges
When I faced a stunt driving charge, turning to Nextlaw was the best decision I made. From the moment Jon Cohen over at Nextlaw answered my initial call, my stress levels significantly dropped. Jon Cohen managed everything efficiently and kept me well-informed throughout the process. He also provided videos from their YouTube channel, which were not only informative but also clarified what to expect moving forward. Whenever there were important updates or decisions, Jon Cohen would personally call to discuss them. Jon Cohen genuinely cares about his clients. I would wholeheartedly recommend his services to anyone in need of legal assistance.
— Emilio A. Reyes M.
Wow! I hired this firm to defend my son on a Stunt driving charge and they have delivered the best outcome I believe was possible). As a business coach I interact with a lot of companies and assist in system development. Jon and Dan have perfected a communication system that delivers a world class proactive experience that leaves you with no questions about what’s next and a fee that your happy to pay that’s less than all the competitors that I interviewed. I highly recommend you hire the Nextlaw Firm of Jon and Dan for your defence. Many Thanks, Coach Andrew
— Success Coach4U
Jon at NextLaw was super helpful with our case. He was able to negotiate our Son’s stunt driving case down to a speeding ticket, sparing him from a 1 year suspension and a lifetime of high insurance rates. He kept us fully in the loop during the court proceedings. Thanks Jon.
— Tim Lamarche
Ontario Courts That Handle Stunt Driving Cases
Greater Toronto Area (GTA)
- Toronto Provincial Offences Court — Old City Hall, 60 Queen St W, Toronto, ON
- Brampton Provincial Offences Court — 5 Ray Lawson Blvd, Brampton, ON
- Mississauga Provincial Offences Court — 950 Burnhamthorpe Rd W, Mississauga, ON
- Newmarket (York Region) Provincial Offences Court — 465 Davis Dr, Newmarket, ON
- Oshawa (Durham Region) Provincial Offences Court — 605 Rossland Rd E, Oshawa, ON
Central Ontario
- Barrie Provincial Offences Court — 75 Mulcaster St, Barrie, ON
- Hamilton Provincial Offences Court — 50 Main St E, Hamilton, ON
- St. Catharines (Niagara) Provincial Offences Court — 59 Church St, St. Catharines, ON
Southwestern Ontario
- London Provincial Offences Court — 824 Dundas St E, London, ON
- Kitchener (Waterloo Region) Provincial Offences Court — 77 Queen St N, Kitchener, ON
- Windsor Provincial Offences Court — 201 Chatham St W, Windsor, ON
Eastern Ontario
- Ottawa Provincial Offences Court — 100 Constellation Dr, Ottawa, ON
- Kingston Provincial Offences Court — 426 Princess St, Kingston, ON
Ontario Stunt Driving Charge Outcomes (October 2024 – September 2025)
| Outcome | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Total charges filed | 11,284 | 100% |
| Withdrawn before trial | 4,424 | 39.2% |
| Withdrawn during trial | 1,027 | 9.1% |
| Total withdrawn | 5,451 | 48.3% |
| Resulted in conviction | 3,897 | 34.5% |
| Guilty plea before trial | 305 | 2.7% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get my car back before the 14-day impound is over?
In most cases, no. The 14-day impound period is set by law and runs its full course regardless of circumstances. The only potential exception is if the vehicle belongs to someone other than the person charged, in which case the registered owner may apply for early release by proving they had no involvement in the offence.
How much does the 14-day impound cost?
Total costs typically range from $950 to $1,600+, including towing fees ($250–$500+) and daily storage fees ($50–$80+ per day for 14 days). Costs can exceed $2,000 depending on tow distance and facility rates.
Do I get a refund if my stunt driving charge is withdrawn?
No. The vehicle impound is an administrative penalty that is completely separate from your court case. Even if your charge is withdrawn, reduced, or you’re acquitted at trial, the impound fees are not refundable.
Can I drive my car home after the 14 days?
Not if your licence is still suspended. The 30-day licence suspension runs longer than the 14-day impound, so you’ll still have 16 days of suspension remaining when your car is released. You’ll need someone with a valid licence to drive it out of the lot.
What happens if I leave my car in the impound lot past 14 days?
Daily storage fees continue to accumulate. At $50 to $80+ per day, an extra week adds $350 to $560+ to your total bill. Retrieve the vehicle as soon as the impound period expires to avoid unnecessary costs.
What if my stunt driving charge is for someone else’s car?
The registered owner can apply for early release by demonstrating they had no knowledge of or involvement in the offence. For rental cars, the rental company may have their own process, and you’ll likely face additional charges under the rental agreement. For employer-owned vehicles, the employer can apply as the registered owner.
Talk to NextLaw About Your Stunt Driving Charge
The 14-day impound is frustrating and expensive, but the real fight is ahead of you—your court case. At NextLaw, Jonathan Cohen and our team handle stunt driving cases across Ontario every single day. We know the courts, we know the prosecutors, and we know what strategies get charges withdrawn or reduced. Our 764 five-star Google reviews reflect the results we deliver and the experience our clients have working with us.
Your next step is simple: call or book online. We’ll review your charge, explain your options, and give you a straight answer about what we can do.
Phone: 1-833-639-8529
Online: https://stunt-call.nextlaw.ca
Your future is worth fighting for. Let us help.
