Minnesota Statutes 169A.42 – Vehicle Impoundment Under Ordinance; Redemption
Subdivision 1.Definition.
As used in this section, “impoundment” means the removal of a motor vehicle to a storage facility or impound lot as authorized by a local ordinance.
Subd. 2.Redemption; prerequisites.
Terms Used In Minnesota Statutes 169A.42
- Arrest: Taking physical custody of a person by lawful authority.
- Driver: has the meaning given in section 169. See Minnesota Statutes 169A.03
- Lease: A contract transferring the use of property or occupancy of land, space, structures, or equipment in consideration of a payment (e.g., rent). Source: OCC
- Motor vehicle: means every vehicle that is self-propelled and every vehicle that is propelled by electric power obtained from overhead trolley wires. See Minnesota Statutes 169A.03
- Owner: has the meaning given in section 169. See Minnesota Statutes 169A.03
- Peace officer: means :
(1) a State Patrol officer;
(2) a University of Minnesota peace officer;
(3) a police officer of any municipality, including towns having powers under section 368. See Minnesota Statutes 169A.03
- Person: may extend and be applied to bodies politic and corporate, and to partnerships and other unincorporated associations. See Minnesota Statutes 645.44
- state: extends to and includes the District of Columbia and the several territories. See Minnesota Statutes 645.44
- Vehicle: has the meaning given in section 169. See Minnesota Statutes 169A.03
Terms Used In Minnesota Statutes 169A.42
- Arrest: Taking physical custody of a person by lawful authority.
- Driver: has the meaning given in section 169. See Minnesota Statutes 169A.03
- Lease: A contract transferring the use of property or occupancy of land, space, structures, or equipment in consideration of a payment (e.g., rent). Source: OCC
- Motor vehicle: means every vehicle that is self-propelled and every vehicle that is propelled by electric power obtained from overhead trolley wires. See Minnesota Statutes 169A.03
- Owner: has the meaning given in section 169. See Minnesota Statutes 169A.03
- Peace officer: means :
(1) a State Patrol officer;
(2) a University of Minnesota peace officer;
(3) a police officer of any municipality, including towns having powers under section 368. See Minnesota Statutes 169A.03
- Person: may extend and be applied to bodies politic and corporate, and to partnerships and other unincorporated associations. See Minnesota Statutes 645.44
- state: extends to and includes the District of Columbia and the several territories. See Minnesota Statutes 645.44
- Vehicle: has the meaning given in section 169. See Minnesota Statutes 169A.03
If a motor vehicle is impounded by a peace officer following the arrest or taking into custody of a driver for a violation of section 169A.20 (driving while impaired), or an ordinance in conformity with it, the impounded vehicle must only be released from impoundment:
(1) to the registered owner, a person authorized by the registered owner, a lienholder of record, or a person who has purchased the vehicle from the registered owner, who provides proof of ownership of the vehicle, proof of valid Minnesota driving privileges, and proof of insurance required by law to cover the vehicle;
(2) if the vehicle is subject to a rental or lease agreement, to a renter or lessee with valid Minnesota driving privileges who provides a copy of the rental or lease agreement and proof of insurance required by law to cover the vehicle; or
(3) to an agent of a towing company authorized by a registered owner if the owner provides proof of ownership of the vehicle and proof of insurance required by law to cover the vehicle.
Subd. 3.To whom information provided.
The proof of ownership and insurance or, if applicable, the copy of the rental or lease agreement required by subdivision 2 must be provided to the law enforcement agency impounding the vehicle or to a person or entity designated by the law enforcement agency to receive the information.
Subd. 4.Liability for storage costs.
No law enforcement agency, local unit of government, or state agency is responsible or financially liable for any storage fees incurred due to an impoundment under this section.