IMPOUND PROCESS
Vehicle Impoundment
Vehicle impoundment is the legal process of placing a vehicle
into an impoundment
lot, which is a holding place for cars
until they are placed back in the control of the owner, recycled for their metal, or auctioned off for the benefit of the impounding
agency.
Reasons for impoundment
Vehicles may be impounded:
• By government agencies (usually municipalities) when
• There are unresolved parking violation(s) of a certain age, and possibly above a total fine threshold.
• In certain instances, during the violation of a parking ordinance (in zones marked "tow away zone" or similar)
• The registrant of the vehicle has certain unresolved moving violations
• The vehicle is collected as evidence of the commission of a potential crime (e.g. homicide or drug smuggling).
• There are no qualified drivers to operate the vehicle
• Driving Under the Influence (DUI) 12-hour police hold (Haley’s Law)
• By private property owners / managers (usually businesses) when
• In certain instances, during the violation of a parking ordinance (in zones marked "tow away zone" or similar)
• By the vehicle being parked and blocking the ingress and egress of the property.
• By the vehicle owner not being authorized to park on the property.
• By the vehicle being parked in a reserved and / or marked space not for visitors.
• By government agencies (usually municipalities) when
• There are unresolved parking violation(s) of a certain age, and possibly above a total fine threshold.
• In certain instances, during the violation of a parking ordinance (in zones marked "tow away zone" or similar)
• The registrant of the vehicle has certain unresolved moving violations
• The vehicle is collected as evidence of the commission of a potential crime (e.g. homicide or drug smuggling).
• There are no qualified drivers to operate the vehicle
• Driving Under the Influence (DUI) 12-hour police hold (Haley’s Law)
• By private property owners / managers (usually businesses) when
• In certain instances, during the violation of a parking ordinance (in zones marked "tow away zone" or similar)
• By the vehicle being parked and blocking the ingress and egress of the property.
• By the vehicle owner not being authorized to park on the property.
• By the vehicle being parked in a reserved and / or marked space not for visitors.
The process for impoundment is as follows:
• Owner or operator creates the legal basis for impoundment as above (failure to make payments, illegal vehicle usage, etc.)
• A grant of authority to impound is made either implicitly or explicitly
• An agency that has the legal authority to execute impoundment locates the vehicle
• The agency takes possession of the vehicle and tows it to the impoundment lot
• If the owner does not clear the issue (payment, etc.), after a certain defined period, the vehicle is sold at auction
• After deducting the costs of the auction, and the impoundment process, the fees that are still owed will be turned over to a collection agency and paperwork will be filed to have owners drivers license suspended until all fees are paid in full.
• Owner or operator creates the legal basis for impoundment as above (failure to make payments, illegal vehicle usage, etc.)
• A grant of authority to impound is made either implicitly or explicitly
• An agency that has the legal authority to execute impoundment locates the vehicle
• The agency takes possession of the vehicle and tows it to the impoundment lot
• If the owner does not clear the issue (payment, etc.), after a certain defined period, the vehicle is sold at auction
• After deducting the costs of the auction, and the impoundment process, the fees that are still owed will be turned over to a collection agency and paperwork will be filed to have owners drivers license suspended until all fees are paid in full.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FOR IMPOUNDED VEHICLES
Where is My Car?
1. 6397 Portal Way, Ferndale, WA. 98248
2. 3815 #3 Bakerview Spur, Bellingham, WA. 98226
2. 3815 #3 Bakerview Spur, Bellingham, WA. 98226
How Much?
1. If your vehicle was impounded within the last 48 hours, please allow $300 to $400 to pick it up during business hours.
2. The impound fees are in accordance with those authorized by the Washington State Patrol. The current hourly rate for small vehicles will be applied per hour for the tow operator’s round trip time.
3. A daily rate of storage per day if the vehicle is 20 feet long or less charged in 12-hour increments.
4. If the owner wants access or to redeem their vehicle during non-business hours their will be an additional charge.
2. The impound fees are in accordance with those authorized by the Washington State Patrol. The current hourly rate for small vehicles will be applied per hour for the tow operator’s round trip time.
3. A daily rate of storage per day if the vehicle is 20 feet long or less charged in 12-hour increments.
4. If the owner wants access or to redeem their vehicle during non-business hours their will be an additional charge.
What Do I Need To Do To Get My Car?
1. Redemption procedures are in strict accordance with
RCW Title 46.55.120.
2. You must be the registered or legal owner on record as listed by the Washington Department of Licensing.
3. You must have approved government issued photo identification. ID must be current within 90 days.
4. You must be a state licensed driver.
5. If your vehicle was placed on hold by a police department, you must get a court release before you can get your car.
6. You must pay with cash, or credit card (NO checks are accepted on impounded vehicles) .
2. You must be the registered or legal owner on record as listed by the Washington Department of Licensing.
3. You must have approved government issued photo identification. ID must be current within 90 days.
4. You must be a state licensed driver.
5. If your vehicle was placed on hold by a police department, you must get a court release before you can get your car.
6. You must pay with cash, or credit card (NO checks are accepted on impounded vehicles) .
If You Are Not The Registered or Legal Owner:
1. Bring the Registered or Legal owner or:
2. You must complete the Vehicle Owner Authorized Agent Form, print it. Have it NOTORIZED with a copy of the vehicle owner's drivers license (legible).
3. If it is your personal belongings and it is not your vehicle you still MUST complete the Vehicle Owner Authorized Agent Form.
2. You must complete the Vehicle Owner Authorized Agent Form, print it. Have it NOTORIZED with a copy of the vehicle owner's drivers license (legible).
3. If it is your personal belongings and it is not your vehicle you still MUST complete the Vehicle Owner Authorized Agent Form.
To Get Your Car After The Hours Of 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday or any Holiday: How Much?
1. If your vehicle was impounded within the last 48 hours, please allow $400 to $500 including the after hours release fee. It is NOT possible to tell you the exact amount until a driver is dispatched to the closed office.
2. When the office is closed there is an additional after hours release fee of $88 plus tax over and above the hourly impound and daily storage fees.
3. Please note we will need a minimum one hour notice to get ahold of an employee to meet you at the storage facility.
2. When the office is closed there is an additional after hours release fee of $88 plus tax over and above the hourly impound and daily storage fees.
3. Please note we will need a minimum one hour notice to get ahold of an employee to meet you at the storage facility.
How To Just Get My Personal Belongings?
1. The office must be open to retrieve personal belongings or view your vehicle. Office hours are 8-5 Mon-Fri, excluding holidays.
2. You must be the registered or legal owner of record as listed by the Washington Department of Licensing.
3. You must have approved government issued photo identification. ID must be current within 90 days.
4. If you are not the registered owner or legal owner you must complete the Vehicle Owner Authorized Agent Form and it must be an ORIGINAL NOTORIZED COPY.
5. Nothing fastened to the vehicle can be removed while it is in impound (i.e. Wheels, installed stereo equipment, bolt on accessories, liscense plates) Only loose personal belongings can be picked up.
2. You must be the registered or legal owner of record as listed by the Washington Department of Licensing.
3. You must have approved government issued photo identification. ID must be current within 90 days.
4. If you are not the registered owner or legal owner you must complete the Vehicle Owner Authorized Agent Form and it must be an ORIGINAL NOTORIZED COPY.
5. Nothing fastened to the vehicle can be removed while it is in impound (i.e. Wheels, installed stereo equipment, bolt on accessories, liscense plates) Only loose personal belongings can be picked up.
My Car Was in an Accident, What Do I Need to Do?
1. Contact your insurance company and notify them that it has been impounded.
2. You can retrieve personal belongings pursuant to the rules above.
3. If your insurance company is going to be arranging pick up of your car, please complete the Vehicle Owner Authorized Agent Form as well as provide us a copy of your approved government issued photo ID. This can be done by email or fax.
2. You can retrieve personal belongings pursuant to the rules above.
3. If your insurance company is going to be arranging pick up of your car, please complete the Vehicle Owner Authorized Agent Form as well as provide us a copy of your approved government issued photo ID. This can be done by email or fax.
My Car Was stolen and recovered by you, What Do I Need to Do?
1. Contact your insurance company and notify them that it has been impounded.
2. You can retrieve personal belongings pursuant to the rules above.
3. If your insurance company is going to be arranging pick up of your car, please complete the Vehicle Owner Authorized Agent Form as well as provide us a copy of your approved government issued photo ID. This can be done by email or fax.
2. You can retrieve personal belongings pursuant to the rules above.
3. If your insurance company is going to be arranging pick up of your car, please complete the Vehicle Owner Authorized Agent Form as well as provide us a copy of your approved government issued photo ID. This can be done by email or fax.
I Bought This Car and I Have a Bill of Sale:
1. A bill-of-sale does not constitute proof of ownership in Washington State, and therefore cannot be used to redeem an impounded vehicle.
2. You must go to a licensing agent and transfer the vehicles’ registration into your name before attempting to redeem the vehicle.
3. Alternatively, you can have the Registered or Legal Owner complete the Impound Owner Authorized Agent Form.
2. You must go to a licensing agent and transfer the vehicles’ registration into your name before attempting to redeem the vehicle.
3. Alternatively, you can have the Registered or Legal Owner complete the Impound Owner Authorized Agent Form.
I Was Told My Car Has a Hold. How Do I Get My Car?
1. DUI impounds require a 12-hour waiting period. Some cities require an additional court release and fee to be paid at the city during their business hours before the car is picked up.
2. Some cities for DWLS (Driving While License Suspended) impounds require an additional court release and fee to be paid at the city during their business hours before the car is picked up.
3. Other DWLS Impounds may have a police hold of 30, 60, or 90 days, and may require a deposit of 50% of the towing & storage fees within 5 days of the date of impound. Otherwise the vehicle will be auctioned BEFORE the hold is up.
4. The registered owner is NOT eligible to purchase the vehicle at auction.
5. A Police/Court release must be obtained by the person seeking to redeem a vehicle before we can release the vehicle from impound.
2. Some cities for DWLS (Driving While License Suspended) impounds require an additional court release and fee to be paid at the city during their business hours before the car is picked up.
3. Other DWLS Impounds may have a police hold of 30, 60, or 90 days, and may require a deposit of 50% of the towing & storage fees within 5 days of the date of impound. Otherwise the vehicle will be auctioned BEFORE the hold is up.
4. The registered owner is NOT eligible to purchase the vehicle at auction.
5. A Police/Court release must be obtained by the person seeking to redeem a vehicle before we can release the vehicle from impound.
What If I Do Not Get My Car, What Happens?
1. Impounded vehicles accrue storage fees on a daily basis, therefore the sooner you pick-up your vehicle, the less it will cost.
2. A vehicle not redeemed by its owner is put up for public auction in an attempt to recover the towing & storage fees.
3. Since the registered & legal owners are NOT eligible to purchase the vehicle at auction, the vehicles sale price rarely matches the fees against it.
4. After the auction, two things happen:
A. If the vehicle did not sell, or the sale price was not sufficient to cover the towing & storage fees, collection proceeding are immediately started against the registered owner for the remaining balance of the towing and storage fees, plus the costs of collections.
B. The Washington State Patrol issues the registered owner a citation for “Littering-Abandoned Vehicle”, which carries a $538 fine and eventual license suspension if restitution is not made to the towing company. You have 15 days to respond to this citation and pay the towing and storage fees.
2. A vehicle not redeemed by its owner is put up for public auction in an attempt to recover the towing & storage fees.
3. Since the registered & legal owners are NOT eligible to purchase the vehicle at auction, the vehicles sale price rarely matches the fees against it.
4. After the auction, two things happen:
A. If the vehicle did not sell, or the sale price was not sufficient to cover the towing & storage fees, collection proceeding are immediately started against the registered owner for the remaining balance of the towing and storage fees, plus the costs of collections.
B. The Washington State Patrol issues the registered owner a citation for “Littering-Abandoned Vehicle”, which carries a $538 fine and eventual license suspension if restitution is not made to the towing company. You have 15 days to respond to this citation and pay the towing and storage fees.
Why Do We Have These Stringent Regulations?
1. Quite simply, to protect the owner of the vehicle.
2. We take many steps to protect your vehicle and its contents, including police inventory, high wire security fencing, surveillance cameras, and alarms.
3. If your car is Impounded or towed from an accident, would you really want anybody to be able to claim your vehicle and its contents? If we released your vehicle and/or its contents to someone other than you, and you did not receive them, that liability would fall on us, and the body that enforces our regulations, the Washington State Patrol. Since Department of Licensing records are the only way to determine the true owner of the vehicle, the state requires that you provide proof you are that person.
2. We take many steps to protect your vehicle and its contents, including police inventory, high wire security fencing, surveillance cameras, and alarms.
3. If your car is Impounded or towed from an accident, would you really want anybody to be able to claim your vehicle and its contents? If we released your vehicle and/or its contents to someone other than you, and you did not receive them, that liability would fall on us, and the body that enforces our regulations, the Washington State Patrol. Since Department of Licensing records are the only way to determine the true owner of the vehicle, the state requires that you provide proof you are that person.
Who can view / redeem a company vehicle?
1. An employee that provides an electronic copy of their business card or company ID matching exactly the Company listed as the Registered or Legal Owner Information.
2. And an employee that provides an electronic copy of the Vehicle Owner Authorized Agent Form and names the agent on this form.
3. And an employee that provides an electronic copy of a letter authorizing the agent on company letterhead.
4. The company’s agent at the time of redemption must provide a government issued photo ID that is current within 90 days. If the vehicle is to be driven, a licensed driver must be present.
5. If the company’s assigned agent is not a licensed, bonded, and insured company, the Vehicle Owner Authorized Agent Form must be notarized and the original copy (not electronic) must be received by Heston Hauling or Heston Towing (whichever applies).
2. And an employee that provides an electronic copy of the Vehicle Owner Authorized Agent Form and names the agent on this form.
3. And an employee that provides an electronic copy of a letter authorizing the agent on company letterhead.
4. The company’s agent at the time of redemption must provide a government issued photo ID that is current within 90 days. If the vehicle is to be driven, a licensed driver must be present.
5. If the company’s assigned agent is not a licensed, bonded, and insured company, the Vehicle Owner Authorized Agent Form must be notarized and the original copy (not electronic) must be received by Heston Hauling or Heston Towing (whichever applies).