Yes, police can tow your car for driving on a suspended license, and they often do
When you drive on a suspended license, your vehicle becomes evidence of a crime. Police have the legal authority to impound it on the spot, and in many states they are required to do so. The car stays in the tow lot until you resolve the suspension, pay towing and storage fees, and sometimes post a bond. This is not a discretionary action — it is a standard consequence built into suspension laws.
The exact rules vary by state and by what caused your suspension. A suspension for unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear in court, or medical reasons is treated differently than a suspension for DUI or reckless driving. But in all cases, driving on a suspended license gives police grounds to stop you, and once they discover the suspension, impound is likely.
Key Takeaways
- Police can and often must impound your vehicle when ready if they discover you are driving on a suspended license.
- Towing and storage fees accumulate daily, and you cannot retrieve your car until the suspension is lifted and fees are paid.
- Some states allow you to request a hardship hearing to get limited driving privileges while your suspension is active.
- The cost of impound, storage, and reinstatement fees often exceeds the cost of the original violation that caused the suspension.
- Repeat impounds for the same offense can result in vehicle forfeiture in some states, meaning the state keeps the car permanently.
When police must impound versus when they have discretion
Most states have mandatory impound laws for suspended-license driving. This means if an officer pulls you over and runs your license, they are required to tow the vehicle. They do not have the option to let you drive home or call someone to pick it up. Mandatory impound applies especially to suspensions for DUI, reckless driving, or habitual traffic offender status.
A few states give officers discretion in lower-level suspension cases — for example, a suspension for unpaid fines. Even in those states, the officer can still impound if they choose, and many do. The safest assumption is that your car will be towed. Your state's Department of Motor Vehicles website lists the specific rules for your suspension type, but the practical outcome is almost always the same: the car goes to the lot.
How towing and storage fees add up
Towing costs between $150 and $500 depending on distance and your location. Storage fees then run $15 to $50 per day, and they start the moment the car enters the lot. If your suspension lasts 30 days and your car sits for that full time, you could owe $450 to $1,500 in storage alone, on top of the tow fee.
You also cannot retrieve the car until you have proof that your suspension has been lifted. This means you must first resolve whatever caused the suspension — pay fines, complete a DUI program, appear in court, or whatever the state requires. Only after that can you get a clearance letter from the DMV. Then you pay the tow company and the impound lot, and only then can you drive away. Many people find that the total cost exceeds what they would have paid if they had straightforward dealt with the original violation when ready.
Getting your car back before the suspension ends
In some cases you can retrieve your vehicle before your suspension is fully lifted, but the rules are strict. A few states allow you to post a bond — usually $100 to $300 — that lets you pick up the car while the suspension is still active, as long as you promise not to drive it. You would need someone else to drive it home, or you would need to arrange a tow to a mechanic or storage location.
Other states require you to show proof of a hardship hearing or a work permit before release. A hardship hearing is a request to the DMV or a court for limited driving privileges — for example, permission to drive to work and back during your suspension. If you win the hearing, you get a restricted license that lets you retrieve the car and drive it for that specific purpose. The process takes one to three weeks in most states, and there is no may provide you will be approved.
Repeat impounds and vehicle forfeiture
If you are caught driving on a suspended license a second or third time, the consequences escalate. Some states automatically increase the length of your suspension. Others impose mandatory jail time. And in many states, a third impound for the same offense triggers vehicle forfeiture — the state keeps the car permanently and sells it at auction to cover towing and storage costs.
Forfeiture is rare but it happens, and it is permanent. You lose the vehicle entirely and have no right to retrieve it. This is why a single impound should be treated as a serious warning. If you have already been towed once for suspended-license driving, the next stop is likely jail time and loss of the car.
What to do if your car is towed for suspended-license driving
First, find out where the car is. The officer who towed you should have given you a receipt with the tow company name and lot location. If you did not get one, call the police department's non-emergency line and give them the date, time, and location of the stop. They can tell you which tow company was called.
Next, contact the tow lot and ask what they need to release the car. They will tell you the towing fee, daily storage cost so far, and what proof of suspension clearance they require. Do not pay anything yet. Instead, focus on lifting the suspension. Contact your state's DMV and ask what you must do to clear your suspension — pay a fine, complete a program, appear in court, or something else. Do that first. Once the suspension is cleared, get a letter from the DMV confirming it, then call the tow lot back and arrange payment and pickup.
If you cannot afford the towing and storage fees, some tow companies will work out a payment plan. Ask directly. Some states also have hardship provisions that can reduce or waive fees in cases of genuine financial hardship, though these are uncommon. Your best option is usually to contact a local legal aid office or a traffic attorney to see if there are any options specific to your situation.
How to avoid impound in the first place
The only reliable way to avoid impound is to not drive on a suspended license. If your license is suspended, do not get behind the wheel. Use rideshare, public transit, or ask someone else to drive. If you need to drive for work or medical reasons, request a hardship hearing or work permit before you drive. These requests take time, so make them as soon as you know your license will be suspended.
If you have already received a notice of suspension, read it carefully. It will tell you the exact date the suspension takes effect and what you must do to lift it. Mark that date on your calendar and stop driving on that day. Many people accidentally drive on a suspended license because they did not realize the suspension had started. The notice is your only warning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get my car back if I have someone else drive it home from the impound lot?
Yes, in most states. The person driving it home must have a valid license and insurance. You cannot drive it yourself. Some impound lots require you to show proof that the driver is insured before they release the car, so call ahead and ask what documents you need to bring.
Do I have to pay towing and storage fees before my suspension is lifted?
No. You must lift the suspension first, then pay the fees and retrieve the car. The tow lot will not release it until you show proof that your suspension has been cleared. However, storage fees continue to accrue every day the car sits in the lot, so the longer you wait to clear the suspension, the more you owe.
What happens if I cannot afford to get my car out of impound?
After a certain period — usually 30 to 90 days depending on your state — the tow lot can sell the car at auction to cover towing and storage costs. You lose the vehicle. Some states allow you to contest the sale or request a hearing, but you must act quickly. Contact the tow lot when ready and ask about their timeline and your options.
Can I fight the impound in court?
You can challenge the impound if the officer did not have legal grounds to stop you in the first place, or if the stop violated your rights. However, if you were actually driving on a suspended license, the impound is legal and you will not win. A traffic attorney can review your case and tell you whether a challenge is worth pursuing, but in most suspended-license cases, the impound stands.
Will my insurance cover the towing and storage fees?
No. Auto insurance does not cover towing and storage fees for impound due to suspended-license driving. Some policies include roadside information that covers towing for breakdowns, but not for legal impounds. You are responsible for all fees out of pocket.