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 to 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 (PDF, 103 KB) 
• 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 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:

• Driving while unlicensed, prohibited or suspended
• Street racing
• Stunt driving
• Excessive speed 
• Committing a motorcycle seating infraction

Behavioural impoundments are issued for 7 days. If the vehicle 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.

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

Steps of a vehicle impoundment

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.

Invoicing RoadSafetyBC

Towing and impound costs

Rates

Person claiming vehicle on behalf of owner

When a vehicle owner is unable to attend the impound lot to claim their vehicle, they may authorize another person to do so on their behalf. To initiate this process, the vehicle owner must complete an owner’s authorization form, after which RoadSafetyBC will issue an order of release to the impound lot operator. 

The authorized individual must visit the impound lot in person and show valid government-issued ID. This is required to verify that they are the person named on the order of release.

Normal release of an impounded motor vehicle

At the end of the impoundment period, the vehicle may be released to the owner or an authorized individual.

Vehicles must be impounded for the full duration of the impoundment period calculated using 24-hour days. Partial days, such as the date the vehicle is towed to the impound lot, do not count towards the impoundment period.

Early release of an impounded motor vehicle

Early release due to review

If the vehicle 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, form MV2713A  or MV2713B.

Vehicles claimed by bailiff

In some circumstances, third parties with a security interest registered against the vehicle under the Personal Property Security Act (PPSA) who may want the vehicle released. RoadSafetyBC requires secured parties or bailiffs who work on their behalf to obtain a court order or authorization from the owner.

Bailiffs may claim a vehicle if:

• The bailiff presents a court order that takes ownership of the vehicle, and the vehicle is registered in the owner’s name as stated on the court order, or
• The bailiff presents a letter on company letterhead with the following information:
  • Full name of the person authorized to pick up the vehicle
  • Vehicle identification number
  • Make and model of the vehicle
  • Signature, job title and contact information of the person authorizing.

Vehicles claimed by corporate employees

Releasing an impounded company-owned vehicle (via employee representative). When an employee is sent to retrieve a company-owned vehicle that has been impounded:

• Authorization required:
  • The managing director or fleet manager must complete and submit an owner’s authorization form to RoadSafetyBC
• Issuance of order of release:
  • Once RoadSafetyBC receives and processes the form, they will issue an order of release to the impound lot operator
• Pickup by authorized employee:
  • Attend the ILO in person
  • Present valid government-issued photo ID (e.g., driver’s licence or passport)
• The authorized employee must:
  • Be listed as the authorized individual on the order of release

Procedures for invoicing RoadSafetyBC

To invoice RoadSafetyBC, an impound lot operator must send the following to rsbcimpoundment@gov.bc.ca or fax to 250-978-8079:

• A PDF copy of the vehicle impoundment calculator invoice
• An itemized company invoice
• A signed order of release

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 vehicle owner is responsible for paying for towing and storage services.

Early disposal

In an early disposal, the vehicle 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.

Normal disposal

Impound lot operators may dispose of a vehicle when all of the following conditions are met:

• The vehicle owner(s) have been provided written notice of the operator’s intent to dispose of the vehicle.
• The estimated value of the vehicle, minus $1,000, is less than the total amount owed on the lien,
• The vehicle has no registered security interest or lien under the Personal Property Security Act (PPSA).

Steps to complete a vehicle disposal

The impound lot operator must complete the following steps to proceed with a lawful disposal:

1. Conduct a PPSA Search

• Perform a Personal Property Security Act (PPSA) search to confirm there are no registered liens or security interests.

2. ​​​Notify the vehicle owner

• Provide written notice by ordinary mail to the vehicle owner(s) of the intent to dispose of the vehicle if outstanding charges remain unpaid.
• This notice must be sent after the expiry of the impoundment period and at least 14 days prior to submitting a disposal application. The notice must include:
  • Vehicle impoundment number
  • Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
  • Licence plate number
  • Owner name(s) and address(es)
  • Date of impoundment
  • Amount of outstanding charges at the time of notice
  • Contact information for the RoadSafetyBC Impound Lot Operator Program

3.Assess vehicle value

• Document the vehicle’s estimated value, including photos of any damage that may impact its value

Note: RoadSafetyBC will determine the vehicle's value using the Canadian Black Book. If the vehicle is not listed, the VMR will be used. If neither source lists the vehicle, RoadSafetyBC will review comparable listings in the local area.

4. Submit an application for disposal

• Download the Application for vehicle disposal MV2709, (PDF, 536KB)
• Print, review, and complete the form. Ensure it is initialed, signed, and dated
• Email a scanned copy of the signed form, along with vehicle photos, to rsbcimpoundment@gov.bc.ca

If the request for vehicle disposal is approved, the impound lot operator must, if applicable, return the licence plates to an Autoplan broker and complete the transfer of vehicle ownership. 

Applying for a refuse to issue

Impound lot operator applications for refuse the issue

Impound lot operators may apply to the Superintendent for assistance in recovering unpaid debts related to unclaimed vehicles. This may include requesting that ICBC refuse to issue a driver’s licence to the vehicle owner until the outstanding debt is paid. Before submitting a refuse to issue (RTI) application, the impound lot operator must:

1. Notify the previous owner of the disposed vehicle of the intent to apply to the Superintendent for a refuse to issue direction to ICBC.

• This notice must be provided at least 14 days prior to submitting the application. The notice must include:
  • Vehicle impound number
  • Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
  • Licence plate number
  • Owner name(s) and address
  • Date the vehicle was impounded
  • Amount of the lien at the time of notice
  • RoadSafetyBC contact information, including phone number 844-455-1932 for owners wishing to dispute the application.

2. Download and complete the Application for refuse to issue MV0726 (PDF, 133KB).

• Submit the completed form to rsbcimpoundment@gov.bc.ca

If the application meets all refuse to issue requirements, RoadSafetyBC will:

• Direct ICBC to refuse to issue a driver’s licence to the vehicle owner
• Notify the impound lot operator that the Superintendent has issued this direction
• Notify the vehicle owner that their driver’s licence will not be issued until the Superintendent rescinds the direction

If the application does not meet the requirements, RoadSafetyBC will:

• Notify the impound lot operator that no action will be taken under section 255(11) of the Motor Vehicle Act.
• Reasons for inaction may include:
  • The vehicle was disposed of under the Commercial Liens Act
  • The impound lot operator entered into a date of disposal or early disposal agreement under section 255(6) or 255(8) of the Motor Vehicle Act
  • The Superintendent has evidence that the information provided was inaccurate

Cancelling 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 is required to submit a completed Lien Discharge Notice MV0728 (PDF, 233 KB) along with proof of payment to rsbcimpoundment@gov.bc.ca.

• Application for refuse to issue MV0726 (PDF, 133KB)
• Application for vehicle disposal (PDF, 536KB)
• Early disposal agreement MV2729 (PDF, 187KB)
• Impound lot operators application and information update MV0731(PDF, 103KB)
• Impound lot operator application checklist (PDF, 90KB)
• Lien discharge notice MV0728 (PDF, 233KB)
• Owner's authorization form MV2712 (PDF, 278KB)
• Procedures for Impound lot operators – version 7_June, 2025 (PDF, 350KB)
• Statutory Declaration Early Vehicle DisposalMV2728 (PDF, 91KB)
• Vehicle impoundment calculator (PDF, 618KB)