Seeing your car hooked up to a tow truck by police is a sinking feeling. But when can they actually do it, and what are your rights? Here is what Queensland law says about police-ordered towing and vehicle impoundment.
When Can Police Tow Your Car in Queensland?
Queensland police have the authority to tow your vehicle in several situations. The most common ones are:
- Traffic obstruction. Your vehicle is blocking traffic, creating a hazard, or parked in a way that endangers other road users.
- Accident scene. Your vehicle is damaged and undriveable after an accident and needs to be removed from the road.
- Unregistered vehicle. If police identify your vehicle as unregistered on a public road, they can order it towed.
- Drink or drug driving. If you are charged with a drink or drug driving offence, police may impound your vehicle.
- Hooning offences. Dangerous driving, street racing, or performing burnouts can result in your vehicle being impounded for up to 90 days.
- Stolen vehicle recovery. If your car was stolen and recovered by police, it may be towed to a holding yard as part of the investigation.
- Abandoned vehicle. A vehicle left on a road or public area for an extended period can be declared abandoned and towed.
Hooning and Impound Laws in Queensland
Queensland has some of the strictest hooning laws in Australia. If police catch you committing a type 1 or type 2 hooning offence, your vehicle can be impounded immediately. Type 1 offences include dangerous driving and racing on roads. Type 2 offences include wilfully starting or driving a vehicle in a way that makes unnecessary noise or smoke.
For a first offence, your vehicle can be impounded for up to 90 days. For a second offence, it can be forfeited permanently. You are responsible for all towing and storage costs during the impound period.
What Happens to Your Car After Police Tow It?
When police order a tow, the vehicle is taken to an authorised holding yard. You will be given information about where your car has been taken and what you need to do to collect it. In most cases you will need to:
- Pay the towing fee and any accumulated storage charges
- Provide proof of ownership (registration papers or proof of purchase)
- Show valid identification
- Ensure the vehicle is registered (if it was towed for being unregistered, you will need to re-register before driving it away)
Storage fees accumulate daily, so collecting your vehicle as quickly as possible keeps costs down.
QLD Police Towing Reimbursement Scheme
If your vehicle was stolen and then towed by police after being recovered, you may be eligible for reimbursement of towing and storage costs through the Queensland Police Towing of Motor Vehicles Scheme. To be eligible you must live in Queensland, the vehicle must be registered to you personally (not a business), and you must not have already been compensated by insurance.
You can apply through the QPS website with your police report reference number, the tow company invoice and receipt, and a statutory declaration.
Your Rights When Police Tow Your Car
- You have the right to be told why your vehicle is being towed
- You have the right to know where your vehicle is being taken
- You have the right to access your personal belongings inside the vehicle
- You have the right to an itemised receipt for all towing and storage charges
- If you believe the tow was unjustified, you can lodge a complaint through the Queensland Police Service
Need your car towed before police do it? We provide fast, affordable towing across Townsville 24/7.
Call 0451 252 501How to Avoid Having Your Car Towed by Police
The simplest ways to avoid a police-ordered tow in Townsville:
- Keep your registration current at all times
- Never park where you are obstructing traffic or creating a hazard
- Do not drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- If your car breaks down, move it off the road as quickly as possible and arrange your own tow
- If you are in an accident and the car is undriveable, call your own tow truck rather than waiting for police to arrange one
For more on Queensland towing laws, read our guide: Towing Laws in Queensland Every Driver Should Know.
If you need a tow in Townsville before the situation escalates, call 0451 252 501 any time, day or night.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can police impound my car for hooning?
For a first hooning offence in Queensland, your vehicle can be impounded for up to 90 days. For a second offence, the vehicle can be permanently forfeited.
Do I have to pay for towing if police tow my stolen car?
You may be eligible for reimbursement through the QLD Police Towing of Motor Vehicles Scheme if your stolen vehicle was towed by police. You must live in Queensland and not have been compensated by insurance.
Can I choose where police tow my car?
In most cases, police will tow your vehicle to an authorised holding yard of their choosing. You generally do not get to choose the destination when it is a police-ordered tow.