1. Generally, your car is available for release almost immediately during normal Records Division business hours, once it is processed for evidence if needed. The Records Division is open on weekdays (Monday-Friday) between 8:00 am - 4:30 pm. The Records Division is not open on weekends or holidays and, with the sole exception of recovered stolen vehicles, no vehicle will be released by anyone except the Records Division. Once you receive the required "CHP-180" release form from our Records Division, the tow company may release the vehicle following the payment of their fees.
2. Regardless of why it was towed, all registration fees must be current and, there can be no outstanding parking citations when the release is requested.
3. The current registered owner must be present and sign the release paperwork. If the R/O is out of the area, personal arrangements to fax a release authorization can be arranged. (If you purchased a vehicle from the Registered Owner but failed to register the vehicle into your name, the car will not be released until you have gone to the DMV and completed this transfer. You may find details at the DMV web site by clicking: TRANSFER OF VEHICLE OWNERSHIP) If the registered owner is unlicensed or has a suspended/revoked driving privilege, the owner must bring TWO other licensed drivers to the department to obtain the release form. (One driver drove the owner to the station, the other driver will drive the vehicle away from the tow yard.)
4. If your car was impounded due to operation by an unlicensed or suspended license driver and, is being held for 30-Days, you may either wait the full month or, you may request a hearing to explain why an unlicensed person was driving your vehicle and, why it should be released early. Generally, only your car being stolen is the only legitimate excuse not knowing if the person you allowed to drive was properly licensed.
The Hearing Officer does not have the legal authority to release a vehicle when you request an early release due to Personal Necessity. This includes your needing the car for transportation, school, employment, childcare, Etc. The Impound Hearing will only address issues concerning the requested early release of an impounded vehicle. Discussion concerning Officer actions prior to the Impound, probable cause, search and seizure, guilt or innocence or, any details about the pending criminal case will not be discussed. You should direct those issues to a criminal defense attorney.
Impounded Vehicle hearings may be scheduled weekdays by visiting the the Records Division, or by calling Records during business hours at (707) 584-2600. The hearing may not be granted if this request is made 10 or more days since the date of impound Per 14602.6.(2)(b) VC. If a VALID REQUEST for a post storage hearing is received, the hearing shall be conducted within two court days after receipt of the request for the hearing. Per 14602.6.(3) VC
If you wish to meet with the Hearing Officer, open, print and complete the attached questionnaire. You will bring this completed form with you when the appointment is being scheduled. To insure a thorough hearing, you must deliver the completed form in advance of the hearing date. Press here to open the Adobe Acrobat document: HEARING FORM.