Andy S

I got pulled over last night and ended up waving good bye to my car for 30 days and I wasn't even drunk. My Washington state drivers license had expired on Nov. 7th and I was currently driving my California registered A4 in California. Since I was out of Washington State when my license expired I totally forgot about re-newing it.

California Vehicle Code 14602 "requires officers to place a 30 day hold on vehicles driven without the proper license or driving on a suspended license". Since my license was expired AND out of state they said I was driving without a license. The best part is that I have to pay over $700 in impound fees for the 30 days. My car was for sale and I even had a guy call this morning wanting to take a look at it today. I told him what happened and he wants to go check it out at the impound yard on Monday. Unfortantly, a test drive is out of the question!

Andy S.

cgerard

hmm. impounding cars w/o conviction, sounds like a "benito" guliani move

Vic O

Scroll down to 14602. If your license is "merely" expired and not revolked, you may have recourse.<ul><li><a href="http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/waisgate?WAISdocID=776364076+0+0+0&WAISaction=retr ieve">CA Vehical code</a></li></ul>

RickM

Drinking + driving never mix well, but in case you don't know: In NYC, if they determine you're DWI they confiscate your car on the spot (as an "instrumentality used in connection with the commission of crime"). And the courts have said it's OK.

Rick

Andy S

Their reasoning is that since my Washington license was expired and I've been in California for more than 10 days then I'm basically driving without a license even though I'm a Washington resident by definition. There is an impound hearing process but according to the officer my situation doesn't qualify for it.

If you have any other information I would love to hear it.

Andy S.

Al

Guliani might be a *****, but remember how well his predecessor, DD, did, hmm...

vertigo

Look, information is power in this situation. Yes, you made
a blunder, but often states rights provide issue--its probably
worth the $100 bucks for a quick consultation instead of
taking their word for it. A policeman tried to arrest a family
member of mine because after the car was impounded,
and then paid for, they forgot to register the receipt in
their payment system. Accused him of having stolen
the car out of the impounding lot. It's amazing how
much more respectful these people become when they
get a wrongful arrest suit on their hands and they don't
have a leg to stand on (picture samurai laywer slicing legs
off prosecutor). They are very ready to bargain....
These guys have to do their jobs, but sometimes
get a little overzealous--a good representative can sometimes
work out a healthy compromise.

Andy S

I'm meeting my Laywer today!