Don't even believe (even though it is used as a public safety situation used-the law), that is a flat out lie, because the minimum liability coverage required by the state won't normally cover your medical and attorney bills. If you get hit by someone with minimum state required coverage. Texas just raised the limit last year to $60K. Statistics say one out of four is uninsured in Texas. So the law works well doesn't it?
All one needs to do is follow the money when it comes to impound. Who gets a kickback an sets the fees for the impound? States and local municipalities.
Who makes the laws? The states. Who is one of the biggest lobbyists? Insurance companies. Who fines you for not having insurance? The states. So can your car be impounded for not having insurance? Technically, your car can be impounded for just about anything and it is up to the cop's discretion as to what he/she is writing ticket's for.
Now, if your insurance has lapsed on the car, depends on the cop. Technically, he can have it impounded, or he/she can write a ticket for no proof of insurance and you can go to court showing them you do have insurance on the vehicle and the ticket is commonly forgiven and discharged. There is no set answer here.
Were there other mitigating factors that spurred you question, like driving under revocation or suspension? I have very rarely seen where the car was impounded just because proof of insurance was not shown. There is usually more to it than not just having insurance. Was there an accident involved?
Unlike the first person that answered your question, I am a little more cynical and find there were other factors involve that did not get mentioned.
yes it can.
Yes the police have the athority
It depends on the legal jurisdiction, and the decision of the officer who made the stop. But, yes, in many locales you car can be impounded.
I think you'll get your car impounded.(in the USA)
It can be impounded in some states.
Depending on the reason it was impounded makes a difference. I have has this experience before. They were busted for driving without insurance and my car was impounded. I had to get proof of insurace and go to the police station where it was impounded from show them my proof of insurance and then they handed me a release to get my car from impoundment. Then I had to take the release to the yard and then I was able to get it out. Depending on where you are from can make all the difference in the world also. i would say yes if you take in documents proving that the car belongs to you eg insurance, log book (pink slip), and documents proving who you are eg photo id and prof of address.
yeah any car can be impounded
You will have to pay fines if your car gets impounded for no insurance, registration, and inspection in PA. You will have to registration before the car is released.
Absolutely not. If the insurance is 'invalid' then the car is uninsured and it is against the law to drive an uninsured car. If the driver is caught operating the vehicle, they will be arrested and the car will be impounded.
registration and insurance
No, but it can be impounded by the police. Lack of insurance is a crime, generally a misdemeanor, but if the degree is severe enough the police can impound it as evidence in a criminal case. To get your car back, you would need to provide proof of insurance, a valid driver's license for the owner of the car and the insurance, and pay the fine for the crime as well as the storage fees for the car while it was in the impound lot. Repossession is done when you have failed to pay on the car loan. In essence, a car loan is a secured loan - if you don't pay the money, the loaning institution can take the car and sell it to pay off the loan.
you can drive with out insurance but you had better not get stopped or you will be ina lot of troubleIt is against the law and you will get a ticket. Might also have the car impounded.