Information for Impound Lot Operators

Towing and storage companies may apply to be RoadSafetyBC service providers if they meet the requirements below. RoadSafetyBC will review applications and if a company is qualified, that company will enter into a service agreement with RoadSafetyBC.  

Business qualifications

To qualify as an Impound Lot Operator, towing and storage companies must:

• Maintain minimum business hours of 8am-5pm, Monday-Friday
• Have 24/7 dispatch and towing capacity
• Maintain a valid business licence
• Maintain a valid Garage Policy and comprehensive insurance coverage
• Maintain a valid ICBC supplier number
• Have two-way communications with all tow vehicles at all times
• Have a fax machine capable of unattended and continuous operation
• Ensure lease operators have the ILO National Safety Code number recorded on vehicle registrations
• Have capacity to dispatch a suitable tow truck and begin travel directly to the indicated location within 10 minutes of initial request from police

Tow vehicles must:

• Be properly licensed and insured to operate in BC
• Meet all Provincial and Federal mechanical, safety and licensing standards

Impound lots must have:

• Secure storage for all types of vehicles up to 45 feet in length
• An asphalt or other well graded and drained surface in good condition
• A minimum 6-foot high fence around the perimeter      
• A 12-inch barbed wire overhang and locking gate of matching height, in good condition at all times
• Separation of impounded vehicles from vehicles that are under repair, being dismantled for parts or other similar activities
• The ability to ensure that access to impounded vehicles will be strictly controlled and at no time will vehicle owners or the public be permitted to access vehicles unaccompanied    

Required service levels

Within 10 minutes of a request from police, ILOs must dispatch a suitable tow truck. The truck must travel directly to the indicated location.

How to apply

Complete and submit the Impound Lot Operator Application and Information Update (MV0731).

Visit the ICBC website to see the vendor application, if you have not already done so.

An application checklist is available in the forms section for your convenience, but it is not a required application document. 

The vehicle impoundment process

1. The peace officer issues a Notice of Impoundment (MV2721) to the driver of a motor vehicle
2. The peace officer contacts an ILO for service
3. The ILO sends a tow truck to the officer’s location, where:
   • The peace officer gives a copy of the Notice of Impoundment to the tow truck operator
   • The tow truck operator uses the Vehicle Impoundment Invoice (MV2714) to record the vehicle’s condition, including a description of any damage, and to inventory all personal property and removable accessories
   • The driver of the impounded vehicle signs the completed Vehicle Impound Invoice. If the driver refuses or is unable to sign, the tow truck operator will note that fact on the form
   • The tow truck operator gives the pink copy of the Vehicle Impound invoice to the driver and takes the remaining copies to the ILO office
   • The tow truck operator tows the vehicle to the impound lot using the most direct route
4. The peace officer submits a copy of the Notice of Impoundment and supporting documentation to RoadSafetyBC

Impound upgrades

If a registered owner has any previous vehicle impoundments (not including alcohol-related sanctions) within two years, the impoundment period will be increased, and RoadSafetyBC will notify the ILO.

Vehicle access

When a vehicle is impounded, the registered owner or someone authorized by the owner must be given a reasonable chance to pick up personal possessions. This is only for possessions that aren’t attached to the vehicle and aren’t used as part of operating the vehicle.

Before giving the owner access to their vehicle, the ILO can choose to collect part of the towing and storage fees owed. The ILO must subtract that amount from the final fees for towing and storage.

The ILO will:

• Provide access to the vehicle during normal business hours
• Supervise any access by the registered owner or person authorized by the owner
• Make sure the licence plates and any equipment attached to the vehicle stay in place
• Attach a written record to the Vehicle Impound Invoice of any personal possessions taken from the vehicle
  • This record must include the name of the person(s) who accessed the vehicle, along with the date and time. The registered owner or person authorized by the registered owner must date and initial each entry.

Impounded vehicles cannot be moved. The ILO cannot move the vehicle to another impound lot during the impoundment period, and neither can the registered owner. The only exception is if the peace officer who impounded the vehicle directs the ILO to move it, which may be required as part of an investigation. Representatives of RoadSafetyBC or ICBC  may also need access to the vehicle for an investigation.

Vehicle owners, peace officers and representatives of RoadSafetyBC or ICBC can only request access to the vehicle during normal business hours.

The Vehicle Impoundment Program sets towing and storage rates in the Lien on Impounded Motor Vehicle Regulation. This is true no matter who pays the fees - the registered owner, someone the owner has authorized or RoadSafetyBC.

The Order of Release (MV2713B) will show whether the owner or RoadSafetyBC is responsible for towing and storage costs.

If RoadSafetyBC is responsible for the towing and storage costs, they will pay for those charges up to the end of the business day of the authorized date of release. If the registered owner or person authorized by the owner cannot pick up the vehicle on its release day, RoadSafetyBC will pay storage charges for one more day. The registered owner is responsible for further storage charges beyond that extra day.

To receive payment from RoadSafetyBC, the ILO must:

• Provide the supplier invoice and completed order of release ​
  • The supplier invoice must contain the supplier/payee’s information, address, invoice number and date
  • The invoice must be billed to RoadSafetyBC and clearly show the Vehicle Impoundment number, vehicle information and the towing and storage charges
• Send the completed Vehicle Impound Invoice and the completed Order of Release to RoadSafetyBC at roadsafetybc.finance@gov.bc.ca or by fax to 250-387-4891
• Keep the completed Vehicle Impound Invoice and the completed Order of Release on file for two years

RoadSafetyBC will review and confirm the invoice amount prior to payment. These payments take about 4-6 weeks.

Early release of a vehicle

Under certain circumstances, RoadSafetyBC or a peace officer may authorize early release of a vehicle. The towing and storage charges will be paid either by RoadSafetyBC, the vehicle’s registered owner or someone the owner has authorized. 

The ILO will only release a vehicle once they receive an Order of Release sent by RoadSafetyBC, ICBC or a peace officer.

Procedures for an early release:

• RoadSafetyBC, ICBC or a peace officer fax an Order of Release to the ILO
• The ILO records the charges for towing and storage on the Vehicle Impound Invoice
• The ILO must confirm the identity of the person picking up the vehicle. They record the vehicle owner’s name and driver’s license number or other identification on the Order of Release, or the name and identification of the owner’s representative
• If RoadSafetyBC is paying all or part of the towing and storage charges, refer to the rates and invoicing information in the Lien on Impounded Motor Vehicle Regulation
• The ILO records the Vehicle Impoundment Program charges for towing and storage on the Vehicle Impound Invoice 
• The ILO gives the yellow carbon copy of the Vehicle Impound Invoice to the registered owner or the owner’s representative 
• The ILO submits a copy of the completed Order of Release to RoadSafetyBC

Regular release of a vehicle

At the end of the impound period the registered owner can claim the vehicle or authorize someone to claim the vehicle for them.

3- and 7-day impoundments

• An Order of Release (MV2713A or MV2713B) is not needed for 3- or 7-day impoundments
• The ILO records the charges for towing and storage on the Vehicle Impound Invoice 
• The owner or their representative pays all towing and storage charges
• The ILO must confirm the identity of the person picking up the vehicle
• The owner or their representative signs the Vehicle Impound Invoice 
• (If applicable) The registered owner’s representative presents the Owner's Authorization form (MV2712)
• The ILO gives the yellow carbon copy of the Vehicle Impound Invoice to the registered owner or the owner’s representative
• The ILO submits a copy of the completed Order of Release to RoadSafetyBC

30- and 60-day impoundments

• The registered owner submits a Request for Release application, either at a Driver Licensing Office or with an Appointed Agent or RoadSafetyBC
• The Order of Release is faxed to the ILO, along with a copy of the Request for Release and the owner’s authorization form when a registered owner cannot pick up the vehicle themselves
• The ILO records the charges for towing and storage on the Vehicle Impound Invoice 
• The owner or their representative pays all towing and storage charges
• The ILO must confirm the identity of the person picking up the vehicle, and record that person’s identification on the Order of Release 
• The owner or their representative signs the Order for Release  and the Vehicle Impound Invoice 
• (If applicable) The registered owner's representative presents the Owner's Authorization form
• The ILO gives the yellow carbon copy of the Vehicle Impound Invoice to the registered owner or the owner’s representative
• The ILO submits a copy of the completed Order of Release to RoadSafetyBC

Peace officer seizure of impounded vehicles

Sometimes a peace officer will have to seize and remove an impounded vehicle from an ILO for investigative purposes. If this happens, the peace officer will present the ILO with a warrant or other written request to seize the vehicle.

The ILO will:

• Record the peace officer’s name and badge number on the Vehicle Impound Invoice form
• Make a copy of the warrant or written request and attach it to the Vehicle Impound Invoice
• Record the Vehicle Impoundment number on the copy of the warrant
• Submit that copy of the warrant or written request to RoadSafetyBC

The peace officer will then arrange for the vehicle to be removed from ILO storage.

The peace officer’s law enforcement unit will pay any towing or storage costs related to the seizure and return of the vehicle. The ILO will not charge the registered owner or RoadSafetyBC for towing or storage costs from the seizure period.

When the vehicle is returned the ILO will:

• Note on the copy of the warrant that the vehicle has been returned
• Submit that copy of the warrant to RoadSafetyBC

Disposal of an unclaimed vehicle

An impounded vehicle that is not claimed by the owner must only be disposed of in one of the following two ways:

• Authorization by RoadSafetyBC under the Motor Vehicle Act (MVA) or
• Transfer of ownership under the conditions of the Warehouse Lien Act.

RoadSafetyBC must be notified in writing of all disposals of impounded vehicles. The detailed requirements and procedures set out in the MVA are summarized below.

Early disposal under the Motor Vehicle Act

When a vehicle owner indicates that they have no intention of claiming their vehicle, the ILO and the vehicle owner can complete the Early Disposal Agreement form (MV2729).

The ILO will:

• Complete the Early Disposal Agreement form with the owner of the vehicle
• Complete a Statutory Declaration Early Vehicle Disposal (MV2728)
• Present the Early Disposal Agreement form and the completed Statutory Declaration Early Vehicle Disposal to a Driver Licensing Office, Government Agent or Appointed Agent.  The Statutory Declaration Vehicle Disposal will be sworn at this office and forwarded to RoadSafetyBC for processing. The original Statutory Declaration Vehicle Disposal will be returned to the ILO
• Provide their own current driver’s licence as proof of identification when swearing the Statutory Declaration Vehicle Disposal

Note: Early Disposal Agreement and Statutory Declaration Early Vehicle Disposal forms are available from Driver Licensing Offices, Government Agents and Appointed Agents. These forms must be submitted in their original format. Altered forms will not be accepted.

The Driver Licensing Office, Government Agent or Appointed Agent will:

• Provide the required forms
• Witness the Statutory Declaration Vehicle Disposal (and return the original to the ILO)
• Forward the Early Disposal Agreement forms and the completed Statutory Declaration Early Vehicle Disposal to RoadSafetyBC

RoadSafetyBC will:

• Review the Early Disposal Agreement form and the completed Statutory Declaration Early Vehicle Disposal
• Issue a Vehicle Disposal Decision to the ILO
• If the Early Disposal application is approved, direct the ILO to attend at an Autoplan broker to transfer the vehicle ownership

The ILO will:

• Take the Vehicle Decision Letter together with the original Statutory Declaration, a completed Transfer/Tax form (APV9T), vehicle registration and the licence last issued for the vehicle under Section 3 of the MVA to an Autoplan broker

ICBC will:      

• Transfer the registration of the vehicle to the ILO once the ILO has taken the above documents to an Autoplan broker
• Cancel any vehicle licence issued for the vehicle
• Forward any refund from the cancellation of the vehicle licence to the previous registered owner
• Destroy the surrendered plates

Normal disposal / transfer of ownership under the Motor Vehicle Act

After the impoundment period expires, and at least 14 days before making an application for disposal, The ILO must notify the registered owner by mail that they intend to dispose of the vehicle if the outstanding charges are not paid.

The ILO must do a PPSA search and obtain a certificate showing that no security interest is registered against the motor vehicle under the Act. If a security interest exists, the ILO may not dispose of the vehicle under the MVA and must pursue the Warehouse Lien Act.

After the impoundment period expires, the ILO may apply to transfer the registration of the vehicle to themselves as long as:

• There is no security interest registered against the motor vehicle under the Personal Property Security Act (PPSA),  and
• The amount of the lien on the motor vehicle exceeds the amount calculated by subtracting $1,000.00 from the estimated value of the motor vehicle

The ILO’s written notice of intent to dispose of the vehicle must include:

• The vehicle impound number
• The vehicle identification number
• The vehicle licence plate number
• The registered owner’s name(s) and address
• The date of impoundment
• The amount of the outstanding charges at the time of notification
• RoadSafetyBC's contact information, in case the registered owner wants to dispute a request for disposal

Disposal requests should be submitted within 30 days of the impound period expiry, to minimize the extra storage days.

If more than 30 days has passed since the end of the impoundment period, RoadSafetyBC may request a written explanation from the ILO for the delay in submitting the disposal request. If there is no reasonable explanation, the Request for Vehicle Disposal may be denied, and the ILO may be directed to dispose of the vehicle under the Warehouse Lien Act.

RoadSafetyBC will also conduct a review of the value of the vehicle using the wholesale price listed for British Columbia in the Black Book or the VMR Canada website. RoadSafetyBC may request photos of the vehicle, and a written explanation if there is a dispute in the value of the vehicle.

The ILO will:

• Complete a Statutory Declaration Vehicle Disposal indicating the amount of the lien, details of the vehicle and the estimated value of the vehicle. This happens at least 14 days after sending the notice of intention to dispose of the vehicle
• Complete a Request for Vehicle Disposal, after the impoundment period expires
• Present the completed Statutory Declaration Vehicle Disposal and Request for Vehicle Disposal and any number plates that were attached to the vehicle to a Driver Licensing Office, Government Agent or Appointed Agent location
• Swear the Statutory Declaration Vehicle Disposal at the Driver Licensing Office, Government Agent or Appointed Agent location
• Provide their own current driver’s licence as proof of identification when making the Statutory Declaration Vehicle Disposal

Note: Statutory Declaration Vehicle Disposal and Request for Vehicle Disposal forms are available at Driver Licensing Offices, Government Agents and Appointed Agents locations and must be submitted in their original format. Altered forms will not be accepted.

The Driver Licensing Office, Government Agent, or Appointed Agent location will: 

• Provide the required forms, which can also be found in the Forms and procedures section of this web page
• Witness the Statutory Declaration Vehicle Disposal and return the original copy to the ILO
• Forward the Statutory Declaration Vehicle Disposal and Request for Vehicle Disposal to RoadSafetyBC 
• Forward any numbered plates and a copy of the Request for Vehicle Disposal to ICBC

RoadSafetyBC will:

• Review the Request for Vehicle Disposal and issue a Vehicle Disposal Decision to the ILO
• (If the Request for Vehicle Disposal is denied) direct the ILO to return to the Driver Licensing Office, the Government Agent, or the Appointed Agent 5 business days from the date of the Vehicle Disposal Decision to retrieve the surrendered plates
• (If the Request for Vehicle Disposal is approved) direct the ILO to attend at an Autoplan broker to transfer the vehicle's ownership

If the Request for Vehicle Disposal is approved, ICBC will:

• Cancel any vehicle licence issued with respect to the vehicle
• Forward any refund from the cancellation of the vehicle licence to the previous registered owner
• Destroy the surrendered plates
• Transfer the registration of the vehicle to the ILO upon application by the ILO at an Autoplan broker

If the Request for Vehicle Disposal is approved, the ILO must take the Vehicle Decision Letter to an Autoplan broker, along with the original Statutory Declaration, a completed Transfer/Tax form (APV9T) and vehicle registration.

Vehicles that have a security interest registered against them under the PPSA can only be disposed of under the Warehouse Lien Act. RoadSafetyBC will not authorize disposal of a vehicle with an existing lien.

The ILO must notify RoadSafetyBC when a vehicle is disposed of. To do this, submit the following to RoadSafetyBC:

• A completed and notarized Declaration of Seizure of a Vehicle under the Warehouse Lien Act (MV1481)
• A copy of the Vehicle Registration (APV250)
• The Vehicle Impoundment number, vehicle identification number and vehicle make and year

These documents must be sent to RoadSafetyBC within 5 days of the disposal transaction.

Release of valued unclaimed vehicles

A vehicle is considered a valued unclaimed vehicle if both these things are true:

• The vehicle has been left at an impound lot by its registered owner
• When the impoundment period expires, the ILO's lien on the vehicle is not more than the estimated value of the vehicle. This number is determined by subtracting $1,000.00 from the vehicle’s estimated value

RoadSafetyBC will not authorize the disposal of valued unclaimed vehicles. In these circumstances the ILO may dispose of the vehicle under the Warehouse Lien Act.

Release of valued unclaimed vehicles to lien holders

If a third party has a security interest registered against a vehicle under the PPSA, bailiffs acting for that third party cannot seize vehicles that are impounded or unclaimed, unless the bailiff has either authorization from the vehicle’s owner or a court order, along with an Order of Release from RoadSafetyBC or ICBC.

If a vehicle is unclaimed, the party with the security interest is responsible for all towing and storage costs.

If there is a debt between an Impound Lot Operator and a registered owner, RoadSafetyBC may direct ICBC to refuse to issue (RTI) a BC Driver’s Licence until that debt is resolved. Such an RTI can only be used when an ILO gets a regular disposal request approved. Vehicles disposed under the conditions of the Warehouse Lien Act (WLA), through Early Vehicle Disposal Agreement or through a Date of Disposal Agreement are not eligible for the RTI.  

To make a Refuse to Issue application the ILO must:

Send notice to the registered owner(s) that a RTI application will be made and provide the owner with 14 days to respond. The notice must include:

• • The vehicle impound number
  • The vehicle identification number
  • The vehicle licence plate number
  • The owner's name(s) and address
  • The date that the motor vehicle was impounded
  • The amount of the lien at the time of notice
  • RoadSafetyBC’s contact information, including phone number 250-356-6573, in case the owner wants to dispute the RTI application

14 days after notice is sent to the registered owner, the ILO may apply to RoadSafetyBC to have the RTI applied to the registered owner(s) drivers’ licence. The ILO cannot apply until the 14-day period has expired.

To request that the RTI hold be applied to the owner’s licence, the ILO will:

• Complete and present the Statutory Declaration (MV0726) and the Request for Refuse to Issue form (MV0727) to a Driver Licensing Office, Service BC location or Government Agent
• Provide their own current driver’s licence as proof of identification when swearing the Statutory Declaration Vehicle Disposal
• Retain the original Statutory Declaration until the amount of the lien is discharged

The Driver Licensing Office, Service BC location or Government Agent will:

• Witness the Statutory Declaration and forward it to RoadSafetyBC for processing
• Forward the Statutory Declaration and Request for Refuse to Issue to RoadSafetyBC
• Return the original Statutory Declaration to the ILO to be retained by the ILO until the amount of the lien is discharged

The Statutory Declaration confirms that the motor vehicle has been disposed of and confirms the amount of the lien that has not been discharged (costs of impoundment minus any amount from the motor vehicle disposal).

When RTI requests are approved, RoadSafetyBC notifies the ILO and registered owner.

To remove the RTI hold the ILO will:

• Notify RoadSafetyBC when the amount of the lien has been discharged
• Complete the Lien Discharge Notice (MV0728) form and include receipt of payment

• Impound Lot Operator Procedures - Version 6 [PDF, 580KB]
• Vehicle Impoundment Refund Calculator (updated March 4, 2024)
• MV0731 – Impound Lot Operators Application and Information Update [PDF, 103KB]
• MV2714 – Vehicle Impoundment Invoice [PDF, 315KB] (effective March 4, 2024)
• MV2714 – Vehicle Impoundment Invoice [PDF, 230KB] (prior to March 4, 2024)
• MV2729 – Early Disposal Agreement [PDF, 162KB]
• MV2728 – Statutory Declaration Early Vehicle Disposal [PDF, 45KB]
• MV2709 – Request for Vehicle Disposal [PDF, 106KB]
• MV2704 - Statutory Declaration Vehicle Disposal online form (effective March 4, 2024)
• MV2704 - Statutory Declaration Vehicle Disposal [PDF, 269KB] (effective March 4, 2024)
• MV2704 - Statutory Declaration Vehicle Disposal [PDF, 262KB] (prior to March 4, 2024)
• MV0727 – Request Refuse to Issue [PDF, 184KB]
• MV0726 – Statutory Declaration Refuse to Issue [PDF, 160KB]
• MV0728 – Lien Discharge Notice [PDF, 233KB]
• Impound Lot Operator Application checklist [PDF, 90KB]