Yes, your car can be towed if a driver with a suspended license is caught operating it, and you may face fines even if you were not in the vehicle
A suspended license does not prevent someone from driving — it makes driving illegal. If a police officer stops a car and discovers the driver's license is suspended, the officer can impound the vehicle on the spot in most states. The car goes to a tow yard, and you (the registered owner) receive a bill for towing and storage fees, typically $150 to $300 for the tow alone, plus $25 to $50 per day in storage.
You are liable for these costs even if you did not know the driver had a suspended license and were not present when the stop happened. The registered owner's name is on the title, so the law treats you as responsible for what happens to the vehicle. Some states also fine the owner separately for allowing a suspended-license driver to operate the car — penalties range from $100 to $1,000 depending on the state and whether it is a first or repeat offense.
The driver faces their own consequences: a citation for driving with a suspended license (usually a misdemeanor), possible jail time (up to 30 days in some states), and additional fines. Their suspension period may be extended, and they may be required to pay court costs and restitution before their license can be reinstated.
Key Takeaways
- Police can impound your car when ready if the driver's license is suspended, regardless of whether you knew about the suspension.
- You will owe towing fees ($150–$300) and daily storage charges ($25–$50 per day) as the registered owner, even if you were not driving.
- Many states impose a separate fine on the vehicle owner for knowingly or negligently allowing a suspended-license driver to use the car.
- The driver receives a criminal citation, additional fines, and possible jail time, and their suspension period may be extended.
- To recover your car, you must pay all towing and storage fees and show proof the driver's license has been reinstated or that a licensed driver will retrieve it.
How impound works when a suspended-license driver is stopped
When a police officer runs a license check during a traffic stop and the driver's status shows suspended, the officer has the authority to impound the vehicle under what is called an "administrative impound" in most states. This is not a punishment for you — it is a safety measure to prevent the unlicensed driver from continuing to operate the car.
The officer will issue a citation to the driver and a separate notice to you as the owner. That notice will include the tow yard location, the impound number, and the fees you owe. You do not have to be present, and the officer does not need your permission. The tow truck arrives, hooks the car, and takes it to an impound lot.
Some states have a "grace period" rule: if the driver's license was suspended very recently (within 24 to 48 hours) and the driver did not know, the officer may issue a warning instead of impounding. This is rare and at the officer's discretion. Do not count on it.
Towing and storage fees you will owe
Towing fees are set by the tow company contracted by the police department or city, not by the police. A typical tow costs $150 to $300, depending on distance and the size of your vehicle. Storage fees run $25 to $50 per day, and they begin the moment the car arrives at the lot.
If your car sits in impound for a week, you could owe $325 to $650 just in storage, plus the initial tow charge. Some impound lots charge a release fee ($50 to $100) on top of everything else. These fees are not negotiable, and the lot will not release the car until you pay in full.
A few states have a hardship release process: if the car is your only transportation to work and you can prove financial hardship, you may be able to retrieve it without paying the full storage bill. This requires a court petition and is not may provide. Contact the impound lot directly to ask whether your state or county offers this option.
Owner liability and fines in your state
Beyond towing and storage, you may face a separate fine from the state or local government for allowing a suspended-license driver to operate your vehicle. This fine exists because the law assumes you should know who is driving your car and whether they are licensed.
The fine varies by state. In California, it is up to $1,000 for a first offense. In Texas, it is $100 to $500. In New York, it can be $250 to $1,500. Some states do not impose an owner fine at all if you can show you did not know the driver's license was suspended — but you will still owe the towing and storage fees.
If the same driver is caught again in your car with a suspended license, the fine typically doubles or triples. Some states also allow the court to suspend your vehicle registration or require you to install an ignition interlock device, though this is uncommon for owner liability alone.
How to recover your car from impound
To get your car back, you must complete these steps in order:
- Pay all towing and storage fees in full to the impound lot. Ask for an itemized receipt.
- Provide proof that the driver's license has been reinstated, or arrange for a licensed driver to pick up the car on your behalf.
- Present a valid ID and proof of vehicle ownership (title or registration) at the impound lot.
- Sign a release form and take possession of the car.
If the driver's license is still suspended, the impound lot will not release the vehicle to that driver under any circumstances. You must either wait for the suspension to be lifted or have someone else with a valid license retrieve it.
If you cannot afford the fees, some impound lots offer payment plans, though this is not standard. Call the lot and ask. If you believe the impound was illegal (for example, the officer had no legal basis to stop the car), you can file a complaint with the police department or consult a traffic attorney, but this does not waive the fees while you dispute the case.
Preventing this situation: what you can do
The simplest way to avoid impound is to not let anyone with a suspended license drive your car. Before handing over your keys, ask the driver directly whether their license is valid. If you suspect someone's license might be suspended, you can check their status yourself in most states through the DMV website — you will need their name and date of birth, and some states require you to be a licensed driver to access this information.
If someone you know has a suspended license and needs transportation, offer to drive them or help them arrange a ride-share service. If they ask to borrow your car, say no. The cost of a few Uber rides is far less than impound fees and fines.
If you lend your car to a family member or friend regularly, make it a condition that they show you proof their license is current. Keep a photo or copy of their valid license in your records. This protects you if they are stopped — you can show the officer you took reasonable steps to verify they were licensed.
What happens if the driver contests the suspension
If the driver believes their license was suspended in error or wants to challenge the suspension itself, that is a separate legal process that does not affect the impound. The car remains impounded while the driver fights the suspension in court or at a DMV hearing.
The driver can request a stay of the suspension (a temporary pause) while their case is pending, but this is granted only in rare circumstances and requires a lawyer and a court order. Until the suspension is formally lifted, your car will not be released.
If the driver eventually wins their case and the suspension is overturned, you can then retrieve the car by paying the accumulated towing and storage fees. The fees do not disappear because the suspension was invalid — you still owe them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay the impound fee if I did not know the driver had a suspended license?
Yes. You are responsible for towing and storage fees as the registered owner, regardless of whether you knew about the suspension. However, some states will waive the owner fine (the separate penalty) if you can prove you did not know. The tow and storage charges are non-negotiable in all states.
Can the police impound my car if I am the one with the suspended license and I am driving?
Yes. If you are stopped while driving with a suspended license, your car will be impounded when ready. You will face a criminal citation, and you (as the owner) will owe all towing and storage fees on top of the fine for driving suspended.
How long can the impound lot hold my car?
Most impound lots will hold a car for 30 days before they have the right to sell it or scrap it to cover fees. However, you should retrieve your car as soon as possible because storage fees accumulate daily. After 30 days, the lot may file a lien against your vehicle and dispose of it.
What if I cannot afford to pay the impound fees right now?
Contact the impound lot directly and ask about payment plans — some offer them, though it is not required. You can also contact a legal aid organization in your area to ask whether a hardship release is available in your state. In the meantime, storage fees continue to accumulate.
Can I sue the driver for the impound costs?
Yes, you can file a small claims lawsuit against the driver to recover towing, storage, and any fines you paid as the owner. You will need proof of the charges and evidence that the driver was operating your car. Small claims court is faster and cheaper than hiring a lawyer, and the filing fee is usually under $100.