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

The Motor Vehicle Act (MVA) authorizes peace officers to impound vehicles used to commit dangerous driving offences and legislates the length of the impoundment depending on the type of impoundment.

Behavioural Impoundments

Section 251(1) of the MVA requires peace officers to impound vehicles for the following reasons:

1. driving while unlicensed, prohibited or suspended,
2. street racing,
3. behavioural impoundments are issued for 7 days. If the registered owner has had a vehicle impounded for another behavioural offence within the last two years, RoadSafetyBC will provide impound lot operators with written notice to extend the length of the impound to 30 or 60 days.
4. stunt driving,
5. excessive speed, and
6. committing a motorcycle seating infraction.
    

   Type of Behavioural Impoundment	1st Behavioural Impoundment	2nd Behavioural Impoundment (within 2 years of the 1st)	3rd + Behavioural Impoundment (within 2 years of the 1st)
   Driving while unlicensed	7 Days	30 Days	60 Days
   Driving while prohibited
   Driving while suspended
   Street Racing
   Stunt Driving
   Excessive Speed
   Motorcycle Seating Infraction

   
   If an impound lot operator believes that an impoundment period should be increased but have not received notification from RoadSafetyBC to increase the impoundment period, contact the Impound Lot Operator Program by email at RSBCimpoundment@gov.bc.ca, or by phone at (844) 455-1932.

Immediate Roadside Prohibition (IRP) Impoundments

Warn Impoundments

Section 215.46 authorizes peace officers to impound motor vehicles driven by drivers a blood alcohol content of .05 or greater if the peace officer believes it is necessary to prevent the person from driving the vehicle before the prohibition expires.

The first warn impoundment attached to a vehicle registered owner is for 3 days.  The second offence is for 7 days. Any subsequent warn impoundments within a five-year period will be for 30 days.

Fail Impoundments

Section 215.46 requires peace officers to impound motor vehicles driven by drivers with a blood alcohol content of .08 or greater for 30 days.

Type of Immediate Roadside Prohibition	1st Impoundment	2nd Impoundment within a 2-Year Period of the 1st Impoundment	3rd + Impoundment within a 2-Year Period of the 1st Impoundment
Warn Impoundment	3 Days	7 Days	30 Days
Fail Impoundment	30 Days	30 Days	30 Days

Steps of a Vehicle Impoundment

Peace Officer	Issues a Notice of Impoundment (MV2721) to the driver of the motor vehicle. Contacts impound lot operator and requests service at location.
Impound Lot Operator	Dispatches a tow truck to location as soon as possible.
Peace Officer	Provides a copy of the Notice of Impoundment to the tow truck driver.
Impound Lot Operator (Tow Truck Driver)	Records the condition of vehicle including any damage. Tows the vehicle to the impound lot using the most direct route.
Impound Lot Operator	Retains copy of the Notice of Impoundment and supporting documentation.
Peace Officer	Faxes a copy of the Notice of Impoundment (MV2721) to RoadSafetyBC.

 

 

 

Rates for towing and storing vehicles

The Superintendent sets the fees, costs, charges and surcharges in respect of the transportation, towing, care, storage, disposition and other related activities respecting the impoundment of the motor vehicle in the Lien on Impounded Motor Vehicle Regulation. 

RoadSafetyBC will notify impound lot operators of the any changes to the rates as set out in the Lien on Impounded Motor Vehicle Regulation no later than one business day before they come into effect.

Updates to rates may not immediately be reflected in the online version of the Lien on Impounded Motor Vehicle Regulation do to delays of the publisher. For clarification, please contact the Impound Lot Operator Program by email at RSBCimpoundment@gov.bc.ca, or by phone at (844) 455-1932.

Invoicing RoadSafetyBC

• To invoice RoadSafetyBC for releasing a vehicle under an Order of Release – MV2713B, an impound lot operator must:

• Send a copy of the invoice clearly stating the Vehicle Impoundment Number, and an itemized bill correlating with the fees, costs, charges and surcharges contained in the Lien on Impounded Motor Vehicle to RoadSafetyBC at roadsafetybc.finance@gov.bc.ca or fax at (250) 978-8079.
• Maintain a copy of the invoice and completed Order of Release – MV2713B on file.

Person Claiming Vehicle on Behalf of Owner

If a person wishes to retrieve an impounded vehicle on behalf of the registered owner, the person must present an Owner’s Authorization form.

Normal Release of an Impounded Motor Vehicle

The registered owner – or person authorized by the registered owner presenting a Request for Release form – may claim their vehicle at the end of the impoundment period.

Early Release of an Impounded Motor Vehicle

Early Release due to Review

If the registered owner of the impounded motor vehicle or driver causing the impoundment of the motor vehicle has a successful review, the impounded motor vehicle may be authorized to be released from impoundment prior to the expiry of the impoundment period.

To complete the early release, the impound lot operator must have a copy of an Order of Release (MV2713A) or (MV2713B).

Order of Release – MV2713A

An early release authorized by an Order of Release - MV2713A, the lien must be paid by the registered owner or person authorized to claim it on the registered owner’s behalf.

Order of Release – MV2713B

An early release authorized by an Order of Release – MV2713B, the impound lot operator must invoice RoadSafetyBC for the lien for the charges up until the date stated on the Order of Release – MV2713B plus one additional day if the registered owner is unable to attend the lot.

Procedures for Invoicing RoadSafetyBC

To invoice RoadSafetyBC, an impound lot operator must:

• Send a copy of the invoice clearly stating the Vehicle Impoundment Number, and an itemized bill correlating with the fees, costs, charges and surcharges contained in the Lien on Impounded Motor Vehicle to RoadSafetyBC at roadsafetybc.finance@gov.bc.ca or fax at (250) 978-8079.
• Maintain a copy of the invoice and completed Order of Release – MV2713B on file.

Early Release due to Stolen Vehicle

A peace officer may order a vehicle be released if they are satisfied that the impounded vehicle is stolen property. In the case of a stolen vehicle, the peace officer must complete an Order of Release (MV2715) and provide a copy to the ILO and the RoadSafetyBC by fax. The registered owner is responsible for paying for towing and storage services.

 

Early Disposal

In an early disposal, the registered owner transfers ownership of the vehicle to the impound lot operator and the impound lot operator discharges the lien.  This allows the impound lot operator to remove an unclaimed vehicle from the lot prior to the expiry date of the impoundment period.

Impound Lot Operator	Completes the Early Disposal Agreement form (MV2729) with the registered owner at an ICBC Driver Licensing Office, Service BC Centre, or Driver Licensing Agent. Completes a Statutory Declaration Early Vehicle Disposal (MV2728).  Presents the Early Disposal Agreement form (MV2729) and the completed Statutory Declaration Early Vehicle Disposal (MV2728) to a Driver Services Centre, Government Agent or Appointed Agent. The original Statutory Declaration Vehicle Disposal (MV2728) will be returned to the impound lot operator.  Impound lot operator representative making the Statutory Declaration Vehicle Disposal (MV2728) will be required to provide a current driver’s licence as proof of identification.
ICBC Driver Licensing Office, Service BC Centre, or Driver Licensing Agent	Provides required forms. Swears Statutory Declaration Vehicle Disposal (MV2728) and returns original to impound lot operator. Faxes the Early Disposal Agreement form (MV2729) and the completed Statutory Declaration Early Vehicle Disposal (MV2728) to RoadSafetyBC by fax to (250) 356-5919.
RoadSafetyBC	Reviews the Early Disposal Agreement form (MV2729) and the completed Statutory Declaration Early Vehicle Disposal (MV2728) and issues a Vehicle Disposal Decision to the impound lot operator by fax or email. Issues an Early Disposal Decision Letter.
Impound Lot Operator	If the Early Vehicle Disposal is approved, the impound lot operator must take the Vehicle Decision Letter together with the original Statutory Declaration (MV2728), a completed Transfer/Tax form (APV9T), vehicle registration, and the licence last issued under Section 3 of the MVA for the vehicle to an autoplan broker.
Autoplan Broker	Upon application by the impound lot operator at an autoplan broker, will transfer the registration of the vehicle to the impound lot operator.  Cancels any vehicle licence issued with respect to the vehicle.  Forwards any refund from the cancellation of the vehicle licence to the previous registered owner. Destroys the surrendered plates.

 

Normal Disposal

Impound lot operators may dispose of vehicles when:

• the registered owner(s) have been provided written notice of the impound lot operator’s intent to dispose,
• the value of the vehicle less $1,000 is less than the value of the lien, and
• there is no security interest registered under the Personal Property Security Act.

To successfully complete a disposal, an agent acting on behalf of the impound lot operator must complete the following steps:

• Complete a Personal Property Security Act search and obtain certificate confirming that there is no security interest registered against the vehicle.
• Notify the registered owner by ordinary mail of the impound lot operator’s intent to dispose of the vehicle if the outstanding charges are not paid.  The notice must be provided after the expiry of the impoundment period and at least 14 days prior to making an application for disposal and state the:
  • vehicle impoundment number,
  • vehicle identification number (VIN),
  • licence plate number,
  • registered owner(s) name(s) and addresses,
  • date of the impoundment,
  • amount of outstanding charges at the time of the notification, and
  • contact information for RoadSafetyBC Impound Lot Operator Program.
• Assess the value of the vehicle, noting and taking photos of any damage impacting its value. (Note: RoadSafetyBC will assess the value of the vehicle using the Canadian Black Book.  If the Canadian Black Book does not list the vehicle, it will use the VMR.  If the VMR does not contain the vehicle, RoadSafetyBC will look for listings in the same area).
• Complete an Application for Disposal under the “Forms and Procedure Manuals” tab on RoadSafetyBC’s Information for Impound Lot Operators webpage. Print the form, confirm the information, initial, sign and date it, and send a scanned copy of the form with photos to rsbcimpoundment@gov.bc.ca.

If the Request for Vehicle Disposal (MV2709) is approved, the impound lot operator must take the Disposal Vehicle Decision Letter together with the licence plates (if applicable), Application for Disposal, a completed Transfer/Tax form (APV9T), and vehicle registration to an Autoplan broker.

 

 

Applying for a Refuse to Issue

Impound lot operators may apply for the Superintendent for assistance in recovering unpaid debts for unclaimed vehicles by withholding the registered owner’s driver’s licence until the debt is paid. 

Before submitting an Application for Refuse to Issue, the impound lot operator must:

• Notify the previous registered owner of the disposed vehicle that it intends to submit an application to the Superintendent to direct ICBC to refuse to issue a driver’s licence. Notice must be provided to the registered owner at least 14 days prior to applying for a Refuse to Issue and include the:
  • vehicle impound number,
  • vehicle identification number (VIN),
  • licence plate number,
  • owner name(s) and address,
  • date that the motor vehicle was impounded,
  • amount of the lien at the time of notice, and
  • RoadSafetyBC contact information including phone number (844) 455-1932 in the event the owner wants to dispute a RTI application.
• Download the Application for Refuse to Issue form under the “Forms and Procedure Manuals” tab on RoadSafetyBC’s Information for Impound Lot Operators webpage. Complete the form and submit it to rsbcimpoundment@gov.bc.ca.

If the impound lot operator’s request meets all requirements for a Refuse to Issue, RoadSafetyBC will:

• Direct ICBC to refuse to issue a driver’s licence to the registered owner.
• Send notice to the impound lot operator advising that the Superintendent has directed ICBC to refuse to issue a driver’s licence to the owner until the Superintendent rescinds the direction.
• Send notice to the registered owner advising that the Superintendent has directed ICBC to refuse to issue a driver’s licence until the Superintendent rescinds the direction.

If the impound lot operator’s request does not meet the requirements for a Refuse to Issue, RoadSafetyBC will:

• Send notice to the impound lot operator advising that the Superintendent will not take any action under section 255(11) of the MVA related to this impoundment.
• Reasons may include:
  • The vehicle was disposed of under the Warehouse Lien Act,
  • The ILO entered into a date of disposal or early disposal agreement under section 255(6) or 255(8) of the MVA, or
  • The Superintendent has evidence that the information provided in the request was inaccurate.

Ending a Refuse to Issue

When the lien has been discharged, the impound lot operator must notify RoadSafetyBC within one business day.  The impound lot operator must send a completed Lien Discharge Notice (MV0728) and receipt of payment to rsbcimpoundment@gov.bc.ca.

 

• Procedures for Impound Lot Operators – Version 7 [PDF, 294KB]
• 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]
• MV2704 - Application for Vehicle Disposal online form (effective March 4, 2024)
• MV0726 – Application for Refuse to Issue [PDF, 192KB]
• MV0728 – Lien Discharge Notice [PDF, 233KB]
• Impound Lot Operator Application checklist [PDF, 90KB]