Vehicle Impoundment

My vehicle was impounded. How do I get it released?

If your vehicle was impounded because you or the person operating it was unlicensed at the time, your vehicle can be released once you or the person who operated it is issued with a new driver's licence. To receive a driver's licence a person must attend an ICBC Driver Services Centre. This option is not available if the driver was prohibited from driving.

Vehicle owners also have the right to a review. The instructions are on the Notice of Impoundment that was issued at the roadside. To apply for a review, attend the nearest ICBC Driver Services Centre (see www.icbc.com for a listing of Driver Services Centre).

The impoundment period is indicated on the Notice of Impoundment issued to the driver at the time of impoundment. If you own a vehicle that has been impounded in the past two years for the same reason, the impoundment will be increased to 60 days. Once the impoundment period expires, you may attend your nearest ICBC Driver Services Centre to apply for the release of your vehicle. For further information, call ICBC at 1-800-950-1498 or 978-8300 if you are calling from the Greater Victoria area.

How do I apply for a review of my vehicle's impoundment?

Owners whose vehicles are currently impounded can apply for a review. The instructions are on the Notice of Impoundment that was issued at the roadside to the person operating the vehicle. To apply for a review, attend the nearest ICBC Driver Services Centre to complete an application for review and pay the review fee. For further information, call ICBC at 1-800-950-1498 or 978-8300 if you are calling from the Greater Victoria area.

When a review decision is made, you will receive the decision by regular mail. It will be sent to the address you provided on your review application. If your review results in the impoundment being lifted, this office will confirm this to you and will fax an order of release to the impound lot and you may pick up your vehicle and pay the storage and towing fees that apply. For further information, call ICBC at 1-800-950-1498 or 978-8300 if you are calling from the Greater Victoria area.

How do I arrange the release of my vehicle from impoundment?

When the impoundment has expired, you can attend your nearest ICBC Driver Services Centre and they will arrange the release of your vehicle. If your vehicle is due to be released on a Saturday or Sunday, you may attend the Driver Services Centre on the Friday before.

Email OSMV.Mailbox@gov.bc.ca for other information on vehicle impoundment.

Disclaimer

Please be advised that the email method to contact the Office of the Superintendent of Motor Vehicles is not a secure connection. Therefore, it is possible that your email could be intercepted by unintended parties. If you have any concerns about submitting personal information by email you should choose a more secure method of submitting that information.

The Office of the Superintendent of Motor Vehicles considers all personal information it receives as received in confidence.  The Superintendent's office cannot, however, guarantee that the personal information it received will not be disclosed to a third party under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

[ OSMV Home ]