The Fine Print On Driving Without Insurance
Its possible to be charged with two different driving convictions in Ontario related to driving without insurance:
Its possible to be ticketed and fined for failure to surrender your insurance card even if you do have insurance but either forgot to put your pink slip in your car or misplaced it. In this case, it would be worthwhile to prove you have insurance in court, which would likely lead to the charges being dropped. If youre an aha insurance customer and you lost your pink slip, you can access a digital copy anytime right here.
Other insurance providers may offer a similar service for accessing your proof of insurance documents.
If you do have to pay a fine for not surrendering your insurance information, it will be recorded on your drivers abstract for 3 years and could potentially affect how much you pay for insurance over that time period. Insurance companies check driving records to figure out if clients are safe or risky drivers, and driving without insurance will not help your rates in the future.
Payment Of Fees: What Fees Do I Need To Pay For My Seized Vehicle
Theres usually also be a fee to pay before the vehicle can be released.
These charges are set by the government not the police and depend on the weight and condition of the vehicle.
In most cases where the vehicle isnt badly damaged or off the road, the charges are:
- Two-wheeled vehicles: £150 removal charge and £10 per day storage.
- For cars and light vans, its £150 removal charge and £20 per day storage.
A full list of fees are available on GOV.UK.
Youll Be Required To Show Proof Of Insurance To Get Your Car Out Of Impound
FIND OUT HOW MUCH YOU CAN
SAVE ON YOUR CAR INSURANCE
SAVE ON YOUR CAR INSURANCE
If your car is impounded, youll likely want to get it out as quickly as possible. One of the key steps to get your vehicle back is showing proof of auto insurance along with other essential documents. If you dont currently have coverage, youll have to add an auto insurance policy before the car gets out of impound.
Luckily, many auto insurance providers offer instant coverage and a simple purchasing process that can be performed online or over the phone. Weve ranked the best car insurance providers to determine which ones offer coverage that can quickly get your vehicle out of impound.
Read Also: How To Find A Police Report Online
How Does The Owner Get The Vehicle Back
This will vary depending on which law enforcement agency impounded the vehicle. It is always a good idea to contact the law enforcement agency that impounded the vehicle for specific instructions before attempting to retrieve the vehicle. The owner will need to provide proof of a valid drivers license, current registration, and current insurance before the vehicle is released. The owner will also have to pay an administrative fee to the law enforcement agency, as well as storage fees to the towing company storing the vehicle. If the owner fails to retrieve their vehicle after 30 days, the towing company can apply to take title of the vehicle and sell it. If the owner cannot afford the fees to get the vehicle released, or cannot otherwise meet the requirements for the release of the vehicle, they should contact the towing company to make arrangements and try to assure the vehicle is not sold.
Reasons Why Vehicles Are Seized
Vehicles can be seized for the following reasons:
Careless driving
- A person committing this offence whilst using the vehicle in an anti-social manner is liable to prosecution for the offence AND may be warned that the vehicle used in the offence could be seized if they commit another such offence. If it is not practical to give a warning a vehicle may be seized without one under section 59 of the Police Reform Act of 2002.
Unlicensed drivers
- A uniformed officer requires a person to produce his/her driving licence and its counterpart for examination if requested.
- If the person fails to produce them, and the officer has reasonable grounds for believing a motor vehicle is or was being driven by the person other than in accordance with a driving licence for that class of vehicle, the vehicle will be seized.
Uninsured drivers
- A uniformed officer requires a person to produce evidence that a motor vehicle is not or was not being driven without a valid certificate of insurance to cover its use.
- If the person fails to produce such evidence, and the officer has reasonable grounds for believing the vehicle is or was being driven without a valid certificate of insurance to cover its use, the vehicle will be seized.
Drivers who fail to stop
Obstruction or Dangerous to Other Road Users
- Attending officers will give the driver a reasonable time to remove their vehicle if it is causing an obstruction if not the vehicle could be recovered.
For Use as Evidence
Road Tax Offences
Read Also: Can You Be A Police Officer With A Dui
How The Vehicle Impoundment Program Works
The Vehicle Impoundment Program is an effective measure to reduce car accidents and fatalities. It removes suspended drivers from Ontarios roads by removing their means of transportation, the car itself. The program also states that you are responsible for ensuring that everyone who drives your vehicle has a valid drivers license. Your vehicle can still be impounded in the events of:
- lending your vehicle to friend or family member
- using your vehicle for business purposes
- renting or leasing a vehicle
- having an out-of-province or country licence
There are two situations that can impact the length of vehicle impoundments.
First, if a police officer pulls you over and notices that you have your licence suspended for a Criminal Code conviction, then your vehicle will be suspended for a minimum of 45 days. Here are some examples of Criminal Code convictions:
- driving while intoxicated
- a conviction for a Novice Violation
You are stopped by police and your licence is suspended immediately for the following reasons:
- Blood Alcohol Concentration over 0.08
- driving while impaired by a drug or a combination of a drug and alcohol
- failure to comply with a police officers demand for alcohol or drug testing under the Criminal Code of Canada
Your Vehicle Can Be Released Before 28 Days In Some Cases
Your vehicle must be released to you if the police decide not to prosecute you, or if they prosecute you and youre found not guilty.
If your vehicle was impounded because you were an unlicensed driver, the police can release it to you before the 28 days are up if you produce a current drivers licence and pay the towing and storage charges.
Don’t Miss: Can A Police Officer Know If You Have Insurance
Do I Need Insurance To Get My Car Out Of Impound
In most situations, you cannot get your car out of impound with no insurance. Motorists are regularly asked to show proof of ownership, a valid drivers license and proof of car insurance before an impounded vehicle is given back.
Remember that most states require all cars to meet or exceed minimum coverage standards for auto insurance. While its important that you add car insurance to get your vehicle out of impound, its also necessary to avoid breaking the law.
Police Can See Your Insurance Status Before Pulling You Over
Any state that has an electronic reporting system in place will give their officers access to the data in their patrol cars, so police can tell if you have no car insurance. Now police computers can do more than run your license and your plates, it can also run your insurance information.
Never give an officer an invalid proof of insurance or you can rack up more charges.
Theres a tricky situation when it comes to how officers handle cars without insurance when they see them on the road. By law, most officers arent authorized to pull over a car just because their insurance shows up as lapsed.
There has to be another primary violation that they must be cited for before the officer can proceed. Then, when there is a primary violation, being uninsured can land you a second charge.
Also Check: Can You See If Someone Filed A Police Report
Seized To Find Evidence Of An Offence
If a person has been arrest under suspicion of an offence, police may conduct a search incident to arrest in order to obtain evidence of the offence. Should the person be arrest due to careless driving, the vehicle can also be impound by the police.
If your vehicle causes disruption in public spaces such as blocking an entrance, police have the legal right to impound your vehicle and have it removed. Should you park your vehicle in a public place and your vehicle block the traffic your vehicle can cause danger to public safety , your car may also be seize.
It is taken to a compound where charges begin to occur on a daily basis whilst it remains there. Release My Vehicle has the sustainable solutions to get your car back on the road.
Why Are Cars Impounded
Your car can be impounded for a number of reasons. Some of these could be your fault, but others might be out of your control.
For example, your car might have been stolen and subsequently found by the police. It would then be taken to the impound to await collection.
Vehicles can also be seized for being driven without insurance, the driver not having a licence, or if the car is causing an obstruction.
Other reasons could include the car having been involved in a collision, used in a crime, parked illegally, or driven in an anti-social manner.
Your car can also be taken away and impounded for not having car tax.
Read Also: How To Obtain A Police Report In Massachusetts
Car Was Towed No Insurance
My car was towed and I have no insurance and its registration was suspended. I live in California, No no, get your car out of the impound. They will start charging you a storage fee and it will add up fast. Get that car out of there ASAP, pay the fees deal with it, dont just let it sit. 0 0.
Dont Miss: Can I Become A Police Officer Without Citizenship
The Police Seized My Car How Do I Get It Back
If your vehicle has been impounded, you should get a notice letter when its ready for collection, according to Essex Police.
The first step is finding out where your car has been taken. If youre not sure then, ring 101 and ask for your local police station to establish where its been taken.
It is important to clarify with the police exactly whats required and what you need to do in order to reclaim your vehicle.
Broadly speaking, getting your car back requires you to supply a number of original documents and follow set guidelines within a fortnight of it being taken.
You also have to pay fees and ensure your existing car insurance policy covers you for the car to be released from the pound.
You May Like: Are Police Reports Public Record In Missouri
Will My Car Insurance Cover Damage From My Car Being Towed
The towing companys insurance should cover it, because the damage would technically be their fault. If the towing company or their insurance will not accept responsibility, your car insurance could cover the damage to your vehicle if you have full coverage car insurance, which includes collision and comprehensive coverage. If you have liability-only car insurance, your insurance would not cover damage to your vehicle.
Can I Contest An Inventory Search Of My Car
There is a chance that you may not be able to stop an inventory search before it happens. However, if the police impound your vehicle and find evidence of a crime in it, and you are then charged with a crime, you may be able to contest the search. If you are successful, the evidence found in the search will not be admissible in court.
It is important to note that when you are fighting the inventory search, you will need to prove that the officers acted unreasonably, or acted in bad faith. Making this argument can be difficult, but not impossible.
An example of this would be if the officers purposely violated the law in order to impound and search your vehicle. That would be considered an instance of acting in bad faith, and the evidence found during the search could be inadmissible in court. However, honest mistakes are not considered to be sufficient enough to win an argument regarding an inventory search.
Read Also: How Do You Become A Police Officer
Car Was Involved In A Crime
As mentioned, if the car was part of a crime, the police can legally impound it. The logic is that it would be too dangerous to leave an unattended car on the road. For example, if the driver is arrested for driving under influence or driving with a suspended license, then that person wouldnt be able to move their car to a safe location. When theres no one else who can do so safely, officers may feel compelled to impound the vehicle to remove any potential safety hazard.
When Will Your Vehicle Be Impounded After A Traffic Stop
The uninsured motorist rate is nearly 13 percent nationwide. In some states, more than 20 percent of the drivers dont have insurance. Its the states with the higher rates of uninsured vehicles that are enforcing new protocols to thwart people from violating this important law.
One of the new protocols that has been passed in some states like Alaska is to assess a mandatory impound when a car is being driven without insurance.
Second-time offenders will have their vehicle impounded for at least 30 days in Alaska. Sometimes, the mandatory impound is assessed after the first offense for more than just 30 days.
Compare quotes from the top car insurance companies and save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Also Check: Do You Have To Get Tased In The Police Academy
How Do I Get My Vehicle Back When The 28 Days Are Up
Youll need to go to the car storage yard and show them some ID, and also either the impounding notice the police gave you or a document proving you own the vehicle. Youll also have to pay the towing and storage fees or make an arrangement to pay them. The storage yard will then release your vehicle.
If My Car Was Repossessed What Should I Do With My Car Insurance
If your car gets repossessed, meaning it has been seized by your lender, you may be wondering what to do with your insurance. If you are not planning to purchase another car, you can cancel your car insurance policy. On the other hand, if you are planning to purchase another car or pay to get your current car back, you should keep your policy active to avoid a coverage lapse.
You May Like: How Long Does It Takes To Become A Police Officer
Can A Police Officer Pull You Over For No Insurance
Officers may have the upper hand now when it comes to determining if a driver has insurance, but in no way does that mean that its okay for the officer to pull someone over just because they see a car with expired insurance in the computer system.
Driving without insurance is a secondary violation. This means that the officer must have a valid reason to stop the vehicle before the driver is cited for having no insurance. It could be a moving violation or suspicion of criminal activity. This said, its not nearly as hard as you might think for an office to find a reason to pull vehicle owners over if they want to. Some cops have been known to issue tickets for things like going 1 mph over the speed limit.
How Much Insurance Are You Required To Carry So You Dont Have Your Car Towed For No Insurance
How much insurance that youre required to carry is dependent on the state and the limit requirements in that state.
Some will require minimal coverage limits for liability only and other officials have deemed it necessary to require additional coverage.
You need to check the requirements in your state to determine what youll need.
Read Also: How Old Can You Be To Become A Police Officer
What Happens When Police Impound A Car
Cars impounded by the police are typically taken to a local impound lot. The driver is usually given a notice that their car has been impounded and they have a certain amount of time to retrieve it. If the driver doesnt retrieve their car within the allotted time, the vehicle will be auctioned off or destroyed.
When a car is impounded, the police typically inventory all of the items inside it. If there are any valuables, they will be stored in a safe place and the owner will have to pay a fee to retrieve them.
You can only get your vehicle out of police impound once it is cleared by the authorities of any involvement in the crime. If your car was involved in a hit and run, for example, you wont be able to retrieve it until the police have finished their investigation.