How Much Are the Towing and Impound Fees for an Impaired Driving Charge in Calgary?

Understanding Vehicle Seizures for Impaired Driving in Alberta

Getting pulled over on Macleod Trail or Deerfoot Trail and failing a roadside breath test is an incredibly overwhelming experience. In Alberta, impaired driving is not just handled through licence suspensions and fines. Under the provincial SafeRoads system, police officers issue Immediate Roadside Sanctions (IRS) that allow them to seize your vehicle on the spot.

This means your car is towed directly from the roadside to a local impound lot, leaving you to find your own way home. 📋 Understanding the immense financial sting of a 30-day vehicle seizure is critical for Calgary drivers, as these towing and storage costs are completely separate from your government fines or lawyer fees.

Step-by-Step Seizure Process in Calgary

Whether you are stopped by the Calgary Police Service downtown or the RCMP near Airdrie, the vehicle seizure process is standardized across the province. Here is how the impound system works from the moment of the traffic stop to getting your keys back.

Step 1: The Immediate Roadside Tow

Once you register a “Fail” on the breathalyzer or refuse to provide a breath sample, the officer will immediately call a contracted towing company. 🚜 Your vehicle will be hoisted and taken to a designated secure storage facility, such as the Calgary Parking Authority impound lot or a private yard authorized by the province.

Step 2: The Mandatory 30-Day Storage Period

Unlike minor parking infractions where you can pick up your car the next morning, an IRS: FAIL seizure mandates a strict 30-day hold. During this entire month, your vehicle is locked away, and the impound lot will charge you a daily storage fee.

Step 3: Paying the Impound Release Fees

After the 30 days have passed, the impound lot will not release your car until the bill is paid in full. 💵 You must go to the lot in person, present valid identification, and pay the combined towing and 30-day storage charges. Note that your driver’s licence will still be suspended, so you must bring a fully licensed driver to legally drive the vehicle off the lot.

How Much Does it Cost in Calgary?

The financial burden of an impaired driving vehicle seizure falls entirely on the registered owner. While rates vary slightly between towing companies, you can generally expect the following costs in 2026:

• Base Towing Fee: Pulling the vehicle from the roadside to the impound lot typically costs between $150 and $250 CAD, depending on the distance and vehicle size.
• Daily Impound Storage Fees: Most impound lots in Calgary charge approximately $35 to $45 CAD per day. Over a 30-day period, this storage alone amounts to $1,050 to $1,350 CAD.
• Total Estimated Cost: When you combine the initial tow, the 30-day storage, and administrative taxes, it generally costs $1,200 to $1,600 CAD to release your vehicle.

How Long Does the Process Take?

The timeline for a vehicle seizure under an IRS: FAIL is remarkably rigid. ⌛ The 30 days begin at the exact time the Notice of Seizure is issued. The impound lot will not release the vehicle a single day early unless a formal cancellation order is issued by SafeRoads Alberta.

If you abandon the vehicle because you cannot afford the fees, the impound lot has the legal right to eventually sell or scrap your car to recover their costs. You typically have a grace period of just a few days after the 30-day mark before late fees compound and the vehicle is flagged for disposal.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Author: lawyerinfo.ca