If you are arrested for impaired driving in Toronto, your vehicle is automatically impounded for 7 days under Ontario law. You cannot get it out early. Once the 7 days are up, you must pay all towing and storage fees (usually around $800 to $1,000 CAD) and bring a fully licensed driver to take the car home.
A night out in the Entertainment District or King Street West can turn into a nightmare if you are arrested for impaired driving. Beyond the handcuffs and the looming criminal charges, you suddenly have to worry about your car. If you need to know how to retrieve your impounded vehicle after a DUI arrest in Toronto, you must understand Ontario’s strict Vehicle Impoundment Program (VIP). 🚗
Under the Highway Traffic Act, if you register a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) over 0.08, fail a drug evaluation, or refuse a breathalyzer, your car is seized immediately. The police will call a contracted towing company, and your car will be dragged to a secure impound lot. Reclaiming it is an expensive and highly regulated administrative process.
Step-by-Step Process in Toronto
Getting your car back is not as simple as showing up and driving away. 📝 Because your own driver’s licence is now suspended, you must carefully coordinate the retrieval process to avoid further daily storage fees.
Step 1: Locate the Correct Impound Lot
Toronto Police use multiple private towing yards across the city depending on where you were arrested. Before your release from the police division, ask the arresting officer for the exact name, address, and phone number of the impound facility holding your car. 📋
Step 2: Wait the Mandatory 7 Days
The 7-day impoundment period is strictly enforced by provincial law. There is no “early release” program, even if you need your car for work or to transport your children. Do not waste time arguing with the tow yard staff; they legally cannot release the vehicle to you before the exact time expires.
Step 3: Pay the Outstanding Impound Fees
On the 7th day, go to the impound lot. You must bring valid government-issued photo ID and proof of vehicle ownership. You are responsible for the original towing fee plus the daily storage fees. Most lots accept debit, credit, or cash, but it is wise to call ahead to confirm their payment methods.
Step 4: Bring a Valid, Licensed Driver
Because you were handed an automatic 90-day Administrative Driver’s Licence Suspension (ADLS) when you were arrested, you are legally forbidden from driving. You must bring a friend, family member, or hire a private driver with a valid Ontario driver’s licence to physically drive the vehicle off the lot for you. ⚖
How Much Does it Cost in Toronto?
The cost to retrieve an impounded vehicle is significant and compounds quickly if you delay picking it up. Here is the typical breakdown of fees in Toronto:
- Police Towing Flat Rate: The initial tow from the scene of the arrest to the impound lot generally costs around $280 to $350 CAD.
- Daily Storage Fees: Impound yards charge a premium for police-ordered seizures, typically ranging from $70 to $100 CAD per day.
- Total Retrieval Cost: For a standard 7-day impoundment, expect to pay between $800 and $1,000 CAD before taxes. If you leave the car there longer, the fees will keep climbing daily.
| Fee Type | Who Pays? |
|---|---|
| Initial Towing Charge | The Registered Owner of the vehicle. |
| 7-Day Storage Fees | The Registered Owner of the vehicle. |
| Licence Reinstatement Fee (Later) | The arrested driver (paid to ServiceOntario). |
How Long Does the Process Take?
The timeline is very rigid. The mandatory vehicle impoundment lasts exactly 7 days down to the minute you were arrested. Once the time is up, the actual process of paying the clerk at the tow yard and signing the release forms usually takes 20 to 30 minutes. However, remember that your personal driver’s licence will remain suspended for a full 90 days.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What if I was driving someone else’s car?
The vehicle is still impounded for 7 days under the Highway Traffic Act, even if it belongs to your parents, a friend, or a rental company. The registered owner will be notified and will be legally responsible for paying the towing and impound fees.
Will my auto insurance cover the towing and impound fees?
No. Standard Ontario auto insurance policies do not cover towing or impound costs related to criminal acts, such as an impaired driving arrest. You must pay these fees entirely out of your own pocket.
Can I get my belongings out of the car before 7 days?
Yes. You are generally allowed to access the impound lot during their regular business hours to retrieve personal unattached belongings, such as your house keys, wallet, or work laptop. You cannot remove any vehicle parts.
What happens if I cannot afford to pay the fees?
If you do not retrieve your vehicle and pay the fees, the daily storage charges will continue to build up. Eventually, under the Repair and Storage Liens Act, the tow yard can legally sell or scrap your vehicle to recover their costs.
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