Under existing law, within his or her discretion, a law enforcement officer may impound a car if the driver fails to show proof of current registration and insurance as required by law. Also under existing law, if a vehicle is involved in a traffic stop or an accident and the driver fails to provide proof of current registration and insurance, a law enforcement officer shall impound the car on the second violation. The impound will release the vehicle upon payment of fees associated with towing and impound, without requiring proof of registration and insurance. However, on the third violation, the impound is prohibited from releasing the vehicle unless proof of registration and insurance is presented. This bill would provide that if a law enforcement officer impounds a vehicle because the driver fails to provide proof of current registration and insurance, the impound may not release the vehicle unless proof of current registration and insurance is presented and any other requirements by law are satisfied. This bill would also provide that as required by law, every time a vehicle is impounded the vehicle shall not be released until proof of current registration and insurance is presented and any other requirements by law are satisfied.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 32-7A-16, 32-7A-16