Car Impounded in Winnipeg? How To Get It Back Fast
🔒 Quick Answer
If your car was impounded in Winnipeg, you need to retrieve it from the city’s impound lot by bringing valid ID, vehicle registration, proof of insurance, and paying all outstanding fees (towing + daily storage). Act fast — storage fees accumulate daily and can add hundreds of dollars to your total cost.
💰 Typical total cost: $250 – $600+ (towing + storage + admin fees)
📅 Storage fees: $20 – $50/day (starts immediately)
🚛 Need a ride from the impound lot? Call (204) 505-4621
Discovering your car has been impounded in Winnipeg is one of the most frustrating experiences a driver can have. Whether it was towed for a parking violation, seized after a traffic stop, or removed from a snow route, the clock is already ticking on storage fees — and every day you wait costs more money.
This guide walks you through exactly how to get your vehicle back from a Winnipeg impound lot, what fees to expect, what documents you need, and how to avoid getting impounded again. If you need help transporting your vehicle after release — or if your car was impounded and you need roadside assistance to get it running — Winnipeg Towing is available 24 hours a day.
Why Was Your Car Impounded in Winnipeg?
Your vehicle can be towed to a Winnipeg impound lot for a variety of reasons. Understanding why it was seized helps you know what paperwork you will need and whether additional legal steps are required before release:
💡 Snow Route Impounds Are Common in Winnipeg
Every winter, the City of Winnipeg declares snow routes and tows hundreds of vehicles during plowing operations. If a snow route parking ban is in effect and your car is on the street, it will be towed to an impound lot — no warning, no exceptions. Check the Winnipeg winter driving guide and the City of Winnipeg’s snow route map to stay informed.
Where Is the Impound Lot in Winnipeg?
Winnipeg uses multiple impound facilities depending on which authority ordered the tow. If you are searching for the impound lot near me, here is how to find where your specific vehicle was taken:
🏛️ City of Winnipeg Towed Vehicles
For parking violations, snow route tows, and abandoned vehicles, contact the City of Winnipeg’s 311 service line or check the city’s website to confirm which lot your vehicle was taken to.
📞 Call 311 (within Winnipeg)
🚔 Police-Ordered Impounds
For vehicles seized during traffic stops (suspended licence, DUI, crime investigation), the Winnipeg Police Service contracts specific impound facilities. Contact WPS non-emergency line for location details.
📞 (204) 986-6222 (WPS non-emergency)
If you are unsure who towed your vehicle, start with the City’s 311 line. They can check whether it was a municipal tow. If not, call the Winnipeg Police non-emergency line. You can also check for a notice left at your parking location — tow operators often leave a sticker or card on a nearby sign post.
How To Get Your Car Back From the Impound Lot
Follow these steps to retrieve your vehicle as quickly as possible and minimize storage fees:
Confirm Where Your Vehicle Was Taken
Call 311 for city tows or (204) 986-6222 for police tows. Have your licence plate number or VIN ready. They will tell you the exact impound lot location and hours.
Gather Your Documents
You will need your driver’s licence (valid and not suspended), vehicle registration, proof of MPI insurance, and payment for all fees. If someone else is picking up the vehicle for you, they will typically need a signed authorization letter from the registered owner plus their own valid ID.
Resolve Any Underlying Issues
If your car was impounded due to an expired registration, suspended licence, or missing insurance, you must resolve that issue before the impound lot will release it. This might mean visiting an MPI service centre to renew your Autopac or paying outstanding fines to reinstate your licence.
Pay All Fees at the Impound Lot
You will need to pay the towing fee, daily storage charges, and any administrative fees. Most impound lots in Winnipeg accept cash, debit, and credit cards. Get an itemized receipt — you may be able to dispute certain charges later, or submit them to insurance if the impound was related to an accident.
Inspect Your Vehicle Before Leaving
Before driving away, walk around your vehicle and check for any new damage — scratches, dents, broken mirrors, or flat tires. Take photos. If you notice damage that was not there before, document it and report it to the impound lot management immediately. If the vehicle has a flat tire or dead battery from sitting, call us for help.
Drive Away (or Call for a Tow)
If your vehicle starts and is safe to drive, you are good to go. If it will not start, has a flat tire, or you are not comfortable driving it after an extended impound, call (204) 505-4621 and we will flatbed tow it to your home, mechanic, or body shop.
How Much Does It Cost To Get a Car Out of Impound in Winnipeg?
Impound fees in Winnipeg add up fast. Here is a breakdown of the typical costs you can expect in 2026:
📊 Example: Snow Route Impound — Retrieved After 3 Days
Towing: $175
Storage (3 days × $35): $105
Admin fee: $50
Parking ticket: $100
Total: $430
Every additional day adds $25–$50. At 7 days, this same scenario could exceed $600. Retrieve your vehicle as quickly as possible.
For context on how these costs compare to voluntary towing services, see our breakdown of the real cost of towing in Winnipeg.
Need Your Impounded Vehicle Towed Somewhere?
We can pick up your car from the impound lot and deliver it to your home, mechanic, or body shop.
DUI and Mandatory Impound Holds in Manitoba
If your vehicle was seized following an impaired driving charge (DUI/DWI), different rules apply. Under Manitoba’s Highway Traffic Act, vehicles involved in impaired driving offences are subject to mandatory impound periods:
- First offence — Vehicle may be impounded for a minimum period set by provincial regulations. Storage fees accumulate during this entire hold period, and you cannot retrieve the vehicle early regardless of willingness to pay.
- Subsequent offences — Longer mandatory hold periods apply, and additional legal requirements (court orders, Ignition Interlock participation) may be required before release.
- Vehicle owner is not the driver — If your vehicle was being driven by someone else at the time of the DUI charge, you may apply for early release by proving you are the registered owner and were not aware of the impaired driving. Contact the Winnipeg Police for specific procedures.
⚠️ DUI Impound Costs Are Severe
A DUI-related impound in Winnipeg can easily cost $1,000 to $2,000+ when you combine the mandatory hold period storage fees, towing charges, administrative fees, reinstatement fees, and MPI surcharges. This is on top of fines, legal costs, and potential licence suspension. Impaired driving carries the highest impound costs of any reason.
How To Avoid Getting Your Car Impounded in Winnipeg
Most impounds in Winnipeg are preventable. Here are the most effective ways to keep your car out of the impound lot:
❄️ Obey Snow Route Bans
Sign up for the City of Winnipeg’s snow route notification alerts. When a ban is declared, move your car off designated streets immediately. This is the most common preventable impound in Winnipeg.
📋 Keep Registration Current
An expired registration or lapsed MPI insurance is grounds for immediate impound during a traffic stop. Set a calendar reminder 30 days before renewal to avoid lapses.
🅿️ Read Parking Signs Carefully
No parking, loading zones, fire lanes, and hydrant zones in Winnipeg are strictly enforced. If you are unsure, do not park there. A $50 parking ticket is annoying — a $400+ impound bill is devastating.
🔧 Handle Breakdowns Quickly
If your car breaks down on a busy road, call for a breakdown tow immediately. Vehicles left blocking traffic can be towed to an impound lot by police — even if the breakdown was not your fault.
🚫 Never Drive Impaired
Beyond the safety risks and criminal penalties, a DUI impound is the most expensive type, costing $1,000 to $2,000+ in impound fees alone. Use a designated driver, taxi, or ride-share instead.
🪪 Keep Your Licence Valid
Driving on a suspended or expired licence results in immediate vehicle seizure in Manitoba. Pay fines promptly and complete any MPI or court-required steps to keep your licence active.
What If Your Impound Fees Exceed the Vehicle’s Value?
Sometimes the accumulated impound costs approach or exceed what the vehicle is actually worth — especially for older cars. If you are facing $500+ in impound fees on a vehicle worth $1,000, you have a few options:
- Pay and retrieve — If the car is worth more than the fees and still drivable, retrieve it as quickly as possible to stop storage charges from growing.
- Abandon the vehicle — You can choose to not retrieve the vehicle. After a waiting period (typically 21 days), the impound lot may auction or dispose of it. However, you may still be liable for the accumulated fees depending on the situation. Consult with the impound facility about your obligations.
- Sell or scrap the vehicle — Retrieve it, then sell it to a scrap car removal service to recover some of the costs. We can tow the vehicle from the impound lot directly to a scrapyard.
- Negotiate — In some cases, you may be able to negotiate the storage fees, especially if the hold was extended due to administrative delays outside your control. Ask for an itemized breakdown and dispute any charges that seem unreasonable.
What To Check After Getting Your Car Back From Impound
Vehicles sitting at an impound lot — especially during Winnipeg’s winter — can develop problems. Before driving away, check for these common post-impound issues:
- Dead battery — Vehicles that sit for days or weeks (especially in winter) commonly have dead batteries. If the car will not start, you need a battery boost or replacement.
- Flat tires — Cold weather and prolonged sitting can cause tire pressure to drop significantly. Check all four tires visually before driving. If a tire is flat, call for a mobile tire change.
- New damage — Impound lots are crowded. Inspect your vehicle for scratches, dents, or damage that was not present before. Photograph everything and report it immediately.
- Low fuel — If you were low on fuel when the vehicle was towed, it may need gas. If the tank is completely empty, call for emergency fuel delivery.
- Personal belongings — Verify that all personal items are still in the vehicle. Most impound lots inventory valuable items, but check thoroughly.
Can You Dispute an Impound in Winnipeg?
Yes, you can challenge an impound if you believe it was done in error. Here are the channels available:
- Parking ticket disputes — If the impound was triggered by a parking violation you believe was incorrect (unclear signage, no posted signs, meter malfunction), you can dispute the ticket through the City of Winnipeg. If the ticket is overturned, you may be eligible for a refund of towing and storage fees.
- Police impound disputes — For police-ordered impounds, contact the Winnipeg Police Service to discuss the circumstances. If you believe the impound was unwarranted, you may need legal advice.
- Damage claims — If your vehicle was damaged during towing or while at the impound lot, document the damage with photos and file a complaint with the impound operator. You may also have grounds for a claim through MPI depending on the circumstances.
Important: Even if you plan to dispute, retrieve your vehicle first to stop daily storage fees from accumulating. You can pursue the dispute and seek a refund after the vehicle is in your possession.
Frequently Asked Questions About Impound Lots in Winnipeg
How do I find where my car was impounded in Winnipeg?
Call the City of Winnipeg at 311 for municipal tows (parking violations, snow routes) or the Winnipeg Police non-emergency line at (204) 986-6222 for police-ordered impounds. Have your licence plate number or VIN ready when you call.
How much does it cost to get a car out of impound in Winnipeg?
Total costs typically range from $250 to $600+ depending on the towing fee ($150–$250), daily storage charges ($20–$50/day), administration fees ($30–$75), and any outstanding tickets. The longer your vehicle stays, the more expensive it becomes. Retrieve it as soon as possible.
Can someone else pick up my car from the impound lot?
In most cases, yes — but they will need a signed authorization letter from the registered owner, the owner’s vehicle registration, and their own valid driver’s licence and ID. Contact the specific impound lot in advance to confirm their requirements, as policies can vary.
What happens if I do not pick up my car from impound?
Storage fees continue to accumulate daily. After a set period (typically 21 days in Manitoba), the impound lot may begin the process to dispose of, auction, or scrap the vehicle. You may still be liable for the accumulated fees even after the vehicle is disposed of. It is always better to retrieve the vehicle promptly.
Can I retrieve personal belongings from an impounded vehicle?
Most impound lots allow you to access the vehicle to retrieve essential personal items (medication, child car seats, important documents) during business hours, even before paying full release fees. Bring valid ID and proof of ownership. Call ahead to schedule a time.
Will my car be damaged at the impound lot?
Impound lots are required to handle vehicles with reasonable care, but damage can occur during towing or from tight lot conditions. Inspect your vehicle thoroughly before accepting it. Photograph any new damage and report it to the lot operator immediately. You may have grounds for a complaint or insurance claim if damage occurred.
What if my car will not start after being impounded?
Dead batteries are the most common issue after impound, especially in winter. Call Winnipeg Towing at (204) 505-4621 for a battery boost at the impound lot, or we can flatbed tow it to your home or mechanic if additional work is needed.
Does MPI cover impound fees?
Generally, MPI does not cover impound fees for parking violations, snow route infractions, or police seizures. However, if your vehicle was impounded following a collision that was not your fault, some towing and storage costs may be reimbursable through your MPI claim. Contact MPI directly to discuss your specific situation.
How long can the city keep my car impounded?
For standard municipal tows (parking, snow routes), you can retrieve your vehicle as soon as you pay the fees — there is no mandatory hold. For police-ordered impounds (DUI, suspended licence), mandatory hold periods apply and vary by offence. For abandoned vehicles, the city may dispose of them after 21 days without owner contact.
How can I avoid getting towed from a snow route in Winnipeg?
Sign up for the City of Winnipeg’s snow route email and text alerts at winnipeg.ca. When a snow route parking ban is declared, move your vehicle off designated streets immediately. Bans are typically declared after major snowfalls and enforced overnight. Check the city’s interactive snow route map to confirm whether your street is affected. Winnipeg Towing serves all Winnipeg neighbourhoods if you need help relocating a vehicle or need a tow after a snow route situation.
Need Help With an Impounded Vehicle?
Battery boost at the lot. Flatbed tow to your home or mechanic. Scrap car pickup.
Whatever you need after getting your car back — we are here 24/7.