In this article, I cover the 3 things you should do ASAP when your vehicle has been impounded because you’ve been charged with drunk driving, DUI, Over 80, Impaired Driving or a Refusal to take a breathalyzer test.
1/ Confirm the location where your vehicle is impounded.
- Now, this seems obvious, but it’s not. Here’s why.
- Many tow truck companies have multiple impound yards.
- So, while you may know which tow company holds your vehicle, you may not know which tow yard your vehicle is being held.
- If you are not sure, call the tow company to confirm the impound location.
- If you don’t know which tow company has your vehicle, then call the non-emergency phone number of the Police division that charged you.
- Explain your situation, and they will be able to help you identify the tow company and impound location.
2/ Confirm how much you will have to pay.
- When you pick up your vehicle at the end of the impound period, you will have to pay the tow company to get your vehicle released.
- Generally, there are 2 fees you will need to pay.
- First is the tow fee.
- This is the fee you pay to tow your vehicle from the place where the Police stopped you to the tow company’s impound yard.
- And second is the storage fee.
- This is the fee that the tow company will charge you to hold your vehicle.
- This fee is a daily rate.
- Finally, sometimes the tow companies will charge you an extra kilometre fee.
- This fee is charged when the tow yard is very far from the place where the Police stopped you.
- You want to get clarity on the total amount you owe, so there are no misunderstandings when you pick up your vehicle from the impound.
3/ You should confirm the release date.
- This is important.
- Generally, with an impaired driving, DUI, or refusal charge, your vehicle will be subject to a minimum, 7-day impoundment.
- In some cases, it may be longer.
- You should contact the tow company and confirm your vehicle’s exact release date and time.
- We have seen many examples when a tow company is confused about the release date and will want to hold your vehicle longer than they are legally supposed to.
- If there is confusion about the release date, you should call the non-emergency number of the Police division that charged you.
- The Police will contact the tow company and correct the release date and time.
- Finally, when you can get your vehicle, remember that your licence will be under suspension, so you can’t drive to the impound lot.
- Make arrangements for someone to take you to get your vehicle.
