How to Retrieve a Seized Vehicle

step 1: go to the pound

  • Proceed to the pound where your vehicle is being stored.
  • At the pound the wrecker driver, security guard and pound clerk will verify the condition of the vehicle and pound clerk will retain the checklist.
  • You will be issued with:
    1. A checklist
    2. A seizure form
    3. A wrecker bill

step 2: ATTEND COURT/VISIT POLICE TRAFFIC HEADQUARTERS

A. If your vehicle is seized by Transport Authority Inspectors, do the following:

  • If you received a Warning Notice visit the Transport Authority to collect your summons.
  • Once you have received a summons, attend court on the specified date
  • The court will decide whether the vehicle is to be released and the court fine to be paid. If the vehicle is released by court, the court will issue one of the following:
    1. A letter from the Court addressed to the Transport Authority.
    2. A receipt for the payment of the court fine.
  • The court receipt or letter must be presented to theTransport Authority in order for the vehicle to be released.

B. If your vehicle is seized by the Police:

  • Go to the Jamaica Constabulary Force Traffic Headquarters at 16 Lower Elletson Road, Kingston and have your documents checked and approved.

Unlicensed Vehicles

  • Persons whose vehicles are seized for being unlicensed are not required to go to the Police Traffic HQ once they have licensed their vehicle at the Tax Office.
  • For these cases; proceed to the Tax Office to have the vehicle licensed. A current registration certificate will be needed in order for the vehicle to be released. Once this is done proceed directly to STEP 3.

step 3: pay wrecker fees

  • Pay all wrecker fees at either the bank or the wrecking company.
  • Ensure that the vehicle documents (Certificate of insurance, fitness & registration) are up-to-date
  • Customers in the Rural Areas should proceed directly to STEP 5

step 4: GO TO THE TRANSPORT AUTHORITY’S OPERATIONS DIVISION/ REGIONAL OFFICE

  • Take all receipts or relevant court documents, along with original documents for the vehicle to the Transport Authority’s Operations Division at 107 Maxfield Ave. Kingston 10 for approval.
  • For persons outside of the Kingston Metropolitan Region (KMR), STEPS 4 & 5 should be completed at the Regional Office.

step 5: GO TO THE TRANSPORT AUTHORITY’S OFFICE

  • Take all receipts or relevant court documents, along with original documents for the vehicle to Transport Authority Office. All transactions will require a Taxpayer Registration Number (TRN) and Identification card. You may use a current Driver’s license, National ID or Passport.
  • Pay storage fees (Fees are guided by Transport Authority regulations) and collect seized vehicle release form
  • Vehicles can only be released to the owner and driver of the vehicle (at the time of seizure) or someone authorized in writing to conduct business on the owner’s behalf. The authorization letter should be certified by a Justice of the Peace.

step 6: COLLECT YOUR VEHICLE AT THE POUND

  • Take Seized Vehicle Release form and Payment Receipt to the pound.
  • Collect the keys for your vehicle

Offences that Warrant Seizure

Remember : If your vehicle has been seized, you should collect a warning notice from the Transport Authority inspector or a traffic ticket from the police.

1

Operating a Public Passenger Vehicle without a valid road licence

(Section 61 (5) Road Traffic Act);
2

Operating a private motor vehicle as a public passenger vehicle

(Section 61 (5) Road Traffic Act), Section 10 Transport Authority Regulations);
3

Operating a Public Passenger Vehicle contrary to the terms and conditions of the road license.

(Section 65 (13) Road Traffic Act);

Additional Information

Wrecker Rates

Tow (within a 5km radius)

Motor Car

$8,000.00

Coasters & Hiace Buses

$15,000.00

Tow (over 5km radius)

Motor Car

$400.00 p/km

Coasters & Hiace Buses

$400.00 p/km

No-key Towing

Motor Car

$3,000.00

Coasters & Hiace Buses

$3,000.00

Storage Fees

Storage fees are incurred once the vehicle is placed in a pound facility. Rates apply to weekends and Public Holidays.

Motor Cars

$6,000.00 for the 1st day, and $1,200.00 each day thereafter

Buses/Trucks

$6,600.00 for the 1st day, and $1,500.00 each day thereafter

Impound Facilities

Kingston Metropolitan Region
  • 107 Maxfield Avenue, Kingston 10
  • 27 Lyndhurst Rd, Kingston 5
  • Lawrence Field, Lakes Pen, St. Catherine
  • Western Region
  • Bevin Ave, Montego Bay, St. James
  • Barracks Road, Savanna-La-Mar, Westmoreland
  • Northern Regional Office
  • Tower Isle, St. Mary
  • St. Margaret's Bay, Portland
  • Southern Region
  • Swansea, Clarendon
  • Mandeville, Manchester
  • Kingsland, Spur Tree, Manchester
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