Collect an impounded vehicle and impounded vehicle information

WA Police Force can impound vehicles for certain driving and vehicle-related offences.

In some situations where a vehicle cannot be impounded immediately, a vehicle surrender notice may be issued requiring the vehicle to be surrendered later to the nominated storage yard.

Impoundment period

Police will advise you of your impoundment period and notify you if it changes.

Roadside impoundment

Unlicensed motorcycles

Court ordered impoundment or confiscation

Upon conviction the court may impose additional impoundment periods or order the confiscation of a vehicle following conviction under the Section 80G process.

Collecting your impounded vehicle

To collect your vehicle, complete the release of an impounded vehicle application and pay any outstanding towage and storage costs:

Release of a motor vehicle impounded application (PDF, 251KB)

Early release applications – general requirements

Applications for the early release of an impounded vehicle are assessed on a case-by-case basis by the Vehicle Impound Unit. To assist with the efficient assessment of your application:

Eligibility requirements:

• Applicants must demonstrate that they meet the eligibility criteria for the specific early release category being applied for.
• Additional information may be required to verify eligibility.

Supporting evidence:

• All applications must include a written statement explaining the circumstances supporting the request.
• Relevant documentary evidence must be provided to substantiate any claims made in the application.
• Applications submitted without sufficient supporting documentation may not be processed or withdrawn until further information is received.

Assessment process:

Applications are reviewed by an authorised officer within the Vehicle Impound Unit.

• Each application is assessed based on the information and evidence provided, together with any relevant legislative requirements.

Notification of outcome:

• Applicants will be advised in writing of the outcome of their application.
• If approved, notification will include instructions regarding payment requirements (where applicable) and vehicle collection arrangements.
• If refused, applicants will be advised of the decision and any further options that may be available.

Applicants should then refer to the relevant early release category below for any additional eligibility criteria and supporting documentation requirements specific to that application type.

Exceptional hardship

You may apply for the early release of an impounded vehicle if you can demonstrate that the continued impoundment is causing exceptional hardship.

Exceptional hardship is more than the inconvenience, financial impact, or disruption that would normally be expected when a vehicle is impounded. It must involve circumstances that are unusual, compelling, and supported by evidence.

Examples of circumstances that may demonstrate exceptional hardship include:

• Essential medical treatment or appointments that cannot reasonably be attended without access to the vehicle.
• Caring responsibilities where no reasonable alternative transport arrangements are available.
• Employment or business obligations that cannot be met through alternative transport arrangements.

When applying:

• Complete the Early Release Application – Exceptional Hardship Form.
• Provide a clear explanation of the hardship being experienced.
• Include evidence to support all claims made in your application.

Evidence may include:

• Employer letters.
• Financial documents.
• Medical evidence.
• Documents relating to caring responsibilities.
• Any other independent information supporting your circumstances.

Financial hardship alone will not generally be considered sufficient grounds for the early release of an impounded vehicle. If your primary concern is the cost of towage and storage fees, you may wish to consider applying for an approved payment plan.

Important: Applications will not be assessed based on statements alone. Supporting documentation must be provided. Applications with insufficient information may be delayed or returned for further information.

All applications are assessed on their individual circumstances by a senior officer of the Vehicle Impound Unit. If approved, you will be advised of the release and collection process in writing:

Early release application form (PDF, 384KB)

Company vehicle

A company may apply for the early release of an impounded vehicle where the vehicle is used in the course of a business, and the impounding offence was committed by an employee of the company.

To support an application for early release, the company should provide:

• Evidence that the employee was instructed and expected to comply with all road traffic laws and licensing requirements.
• Evidence that the company conducted regular driver's licence checks and took reasonable steps to verify that the employee held a valid driver's licence.

The application should demonstrate that the company exercised appropriate oversight and was not aware of, nor responsible for, the employee's offending behaviour.

Supporting documentation may include company policies, employment agreements, licence check records, training materials, and any other relevant evidence:

Early release application form - company vehicle (PDF, 384KB)

Hire vehicle

You may apply if the vehicle was hired from a registered vehicle hire company.

Include:

• Hire company details.
• Rental agreement details.
• Driver details and any nominated drivers.
• Hire and return dates.
• Any evidence of a licence check with the Department of transport.

The hire company must pay any towage and storage costs before the vehicle is released:

Hire vehicle early release application form (PDF, 342KB)

Substitute vehicle

You may apply to substitute the impounded vehicle with another vehicle if hardship can be demonstrated.

The substitute vehicle must:

• Be licensed and roadworthy.
• Be of equal or greater value than the impounded vehicle.

Include:

• Reason for the substitution request.
         o Include documentation of hardship presented by impoundment.
• Driver licence details.
• Substitute vehicle details.
• Owner details.
• Current photographs of the substitute vehicle.

Additional evidence, such as service history, may be requested:

Substitute vehicle early release application form (PDF, 126KB)

Taxi vehicle

You may apply if the impounded vehicle is a registered taxi.

Include:

• Taxi operator details.
• Driver details.
• Confirmation of driver licence checks.
• Evidence the vehicle is operating as a licensed taxi:

Taxi early release application form (PDF, 514KB)

Incorrect impound

If you believe the vehicle was impounded in error, apply with supporting evidence explaining why the impoundment was incorrect:

Incorrect impound early release application form (PDF, 344KB)

Stolen vehicle early release

You may apply if the vehicle was reported stolen before the offence occurred.

The theft report will be investigated before a decision is made.

Include:

• Police station where the theft was reported.
• Incident report number.
• Date a statement was provided to police.
• Any connection you have to the driver.
• Evidence supporting the theft report:

Stolen vehicle early release application form (PDF, 343KB)

Unlicensed motorcycle

Unlicensed motorcycles are impounded for 14 days and then confiscated unless a valid claim for possession is submitted.

Claims must generally be lodged within 10 days of the seizure.

You will need to show that you:

• Have a legal right to the motorcycle.
• Were not the rider at the time of the offence.
• Not an immediate family member of the rider or in a de facto relationship.
• Evidence that the applicant neither authorised nor permitted the motorcycle to be used in the manner that resulted in its seizure, including any relevant stolen vehicle reports or other supporting documentation:

Claim of rights to possession under section 80S (PDF, 332KB)

Disposal of an impounded vehicle

Vehicles that are not collected will be disposed of 21 days after the expiration of the nominated impoundment period.

If you decide not to retrieve the vehicle, you may complete a disposal of vehicles form (80JA) application requesting the Commissioner of Police to sell or dispose of an impounded vehicle to facilitate its disposal.

Please note:

• The driver will be liable for all associated towage and storage costs.
• Vehicles subject to finance will not be considered:

Disposal of vehicles form (80JA) application (PDF, 390KB)

Property release

Complete the release of property application if you are the registered owner of the vehicle and wish to have property released from the impounded vehicle.

You must provide 100 points of identification:

Release of property application (PDF, 295 KB)

Payment, refund and compensation

Payment on collection

The registered owner is responsible for all towage and storage costs, regardless of who was driving at the time.

Payment is required before release unless an approved payment arrangement is in place.

A representative may collect the vehicle on the owner’s behalf if authorised and identification rules are applied:

Impounded vehicle time payment plan (PDF, 347 KB)

Refunds

You may be eligible for a refund of towage and storage costs if:

• The driver is acquitted.
• Charges are withdrawn or dismissed.
• No charges are laid.

Submit a refund application and include all required supporting documents.

Refund requests are generally processed within eight weeks:

Refund of towage and storage costs application (PDF, 280 KB)

Compensation

If your vehicle or items were disposed of before a court outcome and you have since been acquitted or not charged with the offence, the owner may complete a compensation for disposed vehicles & items (80M) application.

Please note this only applies to vehicles impounded under Section 79B of the Road Traffic Act 1974:

Disposed vehicles & items (80M) application (PDF, 332KB)