7-710 - Administrative Impoundment of License Plates

Policy

1. Minnesota state law requires that police officers impound the license plates in the following circumstances:

1. The individual has been arrested for the second drug or alcohol related violation of MN Statute section 169A.20 (driving while impaired) or MN Statute section 169A.52 (license revocation for test failure or refusal), within 10 years.
2. The individual has a Commercial Driver’s License disqualification under MN Statute section 171.165 for a 2nd drug or alcohol related violation within 10 years.
3. The individual was driving while having an alcohol concentration of 0.20 or more.
4. For a violation of MN Statute section 169A.20, while having a child under the age of 16 in the vehicle if the child is more than 36 months younger than the offender.
5. For driving after license cancellation for repeated drug or alcohol violations (canceled-inimical to public safety) whether DUI or sober.

2. Upon arresting a suspect for DUI, an officer shall check the suspect's driving record and determine if license plate impoundment is required.

1. If impoundment is required, the license plates shall be removed and a Notice and Order of License Plate Impoundment form (PS2486-14) shall be completed.

1. If the operator of the vehicle is the owner or lessor, a seven-day permit shall be issued.
2. If the operator is not the owner or lessor, a 45-day permit shall be issued.
3. The Notice and Order of License Plate Impoundment form shall be completed (including the expiration date of the permit, which shall be printed in large numerals).

1. The “vehicle” copy will be taped to the inside rear window, left corner.
2. The “Department, Operator and Issuing Agency” copies shall be forwarded to the Records Unit, who will file the Issuing Agency copy and forward the other two copies to the State of Minnesota on a weekly basis.

2. If for any reason, the car is released before the plates can be removed for impoundment, the Notice and Order of License Plate Impoundment form shall still be completed.

1. The “Vehicle” and “Operator” copies will be given to the operator of the vehicle who shall be advised to post the “Vehicle” copy on the inside of the rear window and surrender the vehicle plates along with the “Operator” copy to any law enforcement agency.
2. The “Department” and “Issuing Agency” copies will be forwarded to the Records Unit.

3. Notice and Order of License Plate Impoundment forms are available from the MPD Stores Unit.

3. License plates that are surrendered shall be turned in to the City Impound Lot and they will be responsible for their destruction. It will be the responsibility of each precinct/unit/division to ensure that the impounded plates are delivered to the City Impound Lot weekly.