Under the vehicle impoundment program, all vehicle owners will have a greater responsibility for ensuring that every person driving their vehicle has a valid driver’s licence. The State vehicle impoundment program is aimed at making our roads safer.

Drivers who continue to drive while their licence has been suspended for an offence show no regard for the law and putting others at risk. Most of the offences can be related to drunk driving, driving with no valid drivers’ licence or fail to remain at the scene of an accident/collision.

How does the vehicle impoundment program work?
A driver caught driving while his/her licence is suspended for a traffic offense will be given an impound notice (issued by the Registrar of Motor vehicle) by an enforcement officer. The vehicle will immediately be towed to an impound yard. The vehicle owner must pay the towing and storage costs before the vehicle is released at the end of the impoundment period.

Who can have their vehicle impounded?
Any person caught driving while suspended in Cross River State for traffic conviction will have the vehicle he/she is driving impounded. Regardless of whether the vehicle is borrowed from a friend or family member, used for business or employment purposes, rented or leased, the vehicle will be impounded. This program applies to all motor vehicle types including passenger vehicles, motorcycles, trucks and buses.

How much will it cost to get my vehicle back?
Vehicle owners are liable to towing and storage costs. If a vehicle has been impounded for seven days, a minimum fine of 500 =N= will be charged.

What happens if a vehicle is not retrieved?
If a vehicle is not picked up after three months, an auction for the vehicle will be held at the price of the fines charged against the vehicle.