Yes, Louisiana police can tow your vehicle if you drive with a suspended license, and the car stays impounded until you resolve the suspension
If you're stopped while driving on a suspended license in Louisiana, the officer can impound your vehicle on the spot. The car goes to a tow lot, and you cannot retrieve it until your license suspension is lifted. You'll also face towing and storage fees that accumulate daily — these costs are separate from any fines or court costs related to the suspension itself.
The tow happens because driving with a suspended license is a criminal offense in Louisiana, not just a traffic violation. The state treats it as evidence that you're breaking the law, and impounding the vehicle is a standard enforcement tool. Even if someone else owns the car, it can still be towed if you're the one driving it.
Key Takeaways
- Louisiana police will tow your vehicle when ready if they stop you driving on a suspended license, and you cannot get it back until the suspension ends.
- Towing and daily storage fees begin the moment the car is impounded and continue to grow until you retrieve it, making delays expensive.
- The vehicle can be towed even if you own it outright or if someone else is the registered owner — the suspension of your driving privilege is what triggers the impound.
- You must first lift the suspension through the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles before you can legally drive or retrieve an impounded car.
- If the car belongs to someone else, that person may be able to retrieve it, but you still cannot drive it until your suspension is resolved.
How the towing process works in Louisiana
When an officer runs your license and sees it's suspended, they have the authority to call a tow truck when ready. The vehicle is transported to an impound lot, usually operated by a private towing company contracted with the police department or sheriff's office. The lot will charge you a towing fee (typically $150 to $300) plus daily storage fees (usually $25 to $50 per day, depending on the lot).
You receive a receipt with the impound lot's location and contact information. The lot will not release the car to you until you show proof that your license suspension has been lifted. This proof usually comes from the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles in the form of a reinstatement document or a letter confirming the suspension is no longer active.
Storage fees continue to accumulate every single day the car sits in the lot. A vehicle impounded for two weeks can easily cost $500 to $1,000 in towing and storage alone, on top of whatever fines or fees you owe to resolve the suspension itself.
What you need to do to get your car back
The first step is resolving your license suspension with the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV). Depending on why your license was suspended, you may need to pay outstanding fines, complete a defensive driving course, pay reinstatement fees, or wait out a mandatory suspension period. The OMV website lists the specific requirements for your suspension type.
Once your suspension is resolved, contact the OMV to request written confirmation that your license is no longer suspended. Bring this document to the impound lot along with your vehicle registration and a valid ID. The lot will release the car once they see the reinstatement proof.
If the vehicle is registered to someone else, that person may be able to pick it up on your behalf, but the impound lot will still require proof that your suspension is lifted before releasing it. Some lots allow the registered owner to retrieve the car without the suspended driver present, but policies vary by lot.
Suspension types that trigger when ready towing
Louisiana tows vehicles for any active license suspension, but some suspensions are more common than others. A suspension for unpaid traffic fines, unpaid child support, or failure to pay court costs will result in towing if you're caught driving. A suspension for DUI (driving under the influence) or reckless driving also triggers when ready impound.
Administrative suspensions — those issued by the OMV for reasons like failing a medical examination or not providing proof of insurance — also result in towing. Even a suspension for accumulating too many points on your driving record will lead to impound if you drive during the suspension period.
The reason for the suspension does not matter to the officer making the stop. If your license shows as suspended in the system, the vehicle can be towed. The only exception is if you have a hardship license or a work permit that allows you to drive to specific locations (like work or medical appointments), but you must have that permit with you and be driving within its restrictions.
Costs beyond towing and storage
Towing and storage fees are only part of the financial impact. You also face fines for driving with a suspended license, which range from $300 to $1,000 depending on whether it's a first or repeat offense. Court costs and reinstatement fees from the OMV add another $100 to $300 to the total.
If your suspension was caused by unpaid fines or child support, those underlying debts must be paid before the suspension lifts. This means the total cost to get your license back and retrieve your car can easily exceed $2,000 when all fees are combined.
Some impound lots offer payment plans for storage fees, but you'll need to ask directly. The OMV does not negotiate reinstatement fees, and courts do not reduce fines for financial hardship in most cases, though you can request a payment plan through the court that issued the fine.
How to avoid towing while your license is suspended
The simplest way to avoid towing is not to drive. If you must travel, use a ride-sharing service, ask a friend or family member to drive, or use public transportation. Louisiana takes suspended license driving seriously, and the consequences — impound, fines, and criminal charges — are severe.
If you have a legitimate need to drive (for work, medical care, or court-ordered obligations), you can request a hardship license or work permit from the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles. These are not available for all suspension types, but they allow limited driving for essential purposes. You must carry the permit at all times and drive only to the locations specified on it.
The hardship license process requires you to show that you have no other transportation option and that driving is necessary for employment, medical treatment, or court compliance. The OMV charges a fee for issuing a hardship license, typically $50 to $100, but it prevents the risk of towing and additional criminal charges.
What happens if someone else is driving your car
If your license is suspended and someone else is driving your car, your vehicle can still be towed. The suspension is tied to you as a driver, not to the car itself. If the officer discovers during a traffic stop that the driver's license is suspended, the vehicle will be impounded regardless of who owns it.
This creates a problem for family members or friends who may not know your license is suspended. If you lend your car to someone and your license is suspended, you're putting that person at risk of having the car towed. It's your responsibility to inform anyone who drives your vehicle that your license is not valid.
If your car is towed because someone else was driving it while your license was suspended, you still must resolve your suspension before retrieving it. The registered owner can sometimes pick up the car, but the impound lot will verify that the suspended driver's license issue has been cleared.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get my car back before my license suspension is lifted?
No. The impound lot will not release your vehicle until you show proof that your license suspension has been resolved. The only exception is if the registered owner (someone other than you) retrieves the car, but even then, some lots require confirmation that the suspended driver's license issue is being addressed.
How long does it take to lift a suspension in Louisiana?
It depends on the reason for the suspension. If you need to pay fines or fees, the suspension can be lifted within days of payment. If you need to complete a course or wait out a mandatory suspension period, it may take weeks or months. Contact the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles to find out the specific timeline for your suspension.
What if I can't afford the towing and storage fees?
Some impound lots offer payment plans for storage fees, but you must ask directly. However, you still must resolve your license suspension before retrieving the car. If the suspension was caused by unpaid fines, you can request a payment plan through the court, which may help you resolve the suspension faster and reduce the time the car sits in the lot.
Will a hardship license prevent my car from being towed?
A hardship license allows you to drive for specific purposes, but only if you follow the restrictions exactly. If you drive outside the permitted locations or times, you can still be stopped and your car can still be towed. The hardship license is a legal way to drive during a suspension, but it does not protect you if you violate its terms.
Can I retrieve my car if I'm not the registered owner?
It depends on the impound lot's policy. Some lots will release the car to the registered owner without the suspended driver present. Others require the suspended driver to show proof of reinstatement before releasing it to anyone. Call the impound lot directly to ask what documentation they need.