Criteria for Impounding Vehicles Driven by Unlicensed Drivers
Ohio Revised Code and City of Springfield Codified Ordinances
Vehicles may be impounded if criteria outlined in these laws are met.
Examples of Impound Criteria
- Wrongful Entrustment of a Motor Vehicle
- Prior Conviction for Driving Under Suspension (within the past 3 years)
- Vehicle must be registered to the driver.
- Driving Under OVI Suspension
- Vehicle must be registered to the driver.
Court-Ordered Immobilization
When court-ordered immobilization applies, police officers may impound vehicles via a “police
tow.”
Types of Vehicle Tows
- Police Tows
- Definition: Police-ordered impounds.
- Tow Report: Officers complete a tow sheet, which is submitted to the Traffic Unit, scanned, and filed.
- Examples of Police Tow Reasons:
- Vehicle involved in a crime.
- Hit-and-run accident involvement.
- Stolen or recovered stolen vehicle.
- Driver without a valid license.
- Parking violations
- Non-Preference (Non-Pref) Tows
- Definition: Tows arranged by the driver or their designated tow company (not police- ordered).
- Examples of Non-Pref Tows:
- Illegally parked or blocking traffic.
- Vehicle disabled in an accident.
- Process: Driver selects a tow company, or an officer arranges a non-pref tow.
- Dispatch Rotation: Six local tow companies are on a non-pref list, rotated by dispatch to ensure equal distribution.
Vehicle Release to Valid Drivers
Valid Driver Option:
If an unlicensed driver cannot drive, the vehicle can be released to a valid driver designated by the driver.
Situations for Vehicle Release:
When the criteria outlined in the Ohio Revised Code and City ordinances are not met.
Non-Preference Tow Records
Officer Responsibility:
Officers do not complete paperwork for non-pref tows.
Record Keeping:
The Traffic Unit does not maintain records for non-pref tows.
Summary of Actions Taken with Unlicensed Drivers
- Vehicle Options:
- Police tow (if criteria are met).
- Non-pref tow (if vehicle is illegally parked or disabled).
- Release to valid driver.
- Leave vehicle at the scene (if legally parked).
- Unlicensed Drivers:
- Unlicensed drivers are not allowed to drive away following officer contact.