Impounded & Towed Vehicles
Impounded & Towed Vehicles
Impounded Vehicles:
The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office impounds vehicles pursuant to ORS 809.720 for the following offenses:
- Driving while suspended or revoked
- Driving while under the influence of intoxicants
- Driving uninsured
- Operating without driving privileges
- Driving in violation of license restrictions
- This includes juveniles driving with provisional licenses driving during prohibited hours or with too many persons as passengers
- Also includes driving with a partially reinstated license (hardship permit) outside of allowed times or locations
Notice of Impounded Vehicles
Within 48 hours of a vehicle being impounded for the above-listed offenses, the Sheriff’s Office will send a notice to the owners, lessors or security interest holders of the vehicle as shown in DMV records. If you sold your vehicle, but did not notify the DMV that it was sold or provide the name of the person you sold it to, you will receive the notice that the vehicle has been towed.
The purpose of the notice is to inform the owner that the vehicle has been towed, the location of the vehicle, amount of the charges, how to request a hearing regarding the validity of the impounded vehicle and that if the vehicle is not claimed, it is subject to lien for payment of towing and storage charges by the tow company.
Release of Impounded Vehicles
The registered owner, lessor or security interest holder as shown by DMV records is entitled to get the vehicle out of impound.
Impound releases can be obtained from the Sheriff’s Office at 63333 West Highway 20 in Bend. You must bring the following:
- Proof of registration; DMV Notice of Transaction, Signed Title and/or Bill of Sale if you are not the registered owner in DMV records.
- Picture identification. You must have a current valid driver’s license or a third party driver with a valid driver’s license with you. We will run your license to verify this.
- Proof of insurance. We will call the insurance company to verify coverage before releasing the vehicle.
- $100 administrative fee in cash. We can accept credit/debit for a $1.00 fee. No checks accepted for release of impounded vehicles. It is a misdemeanor to forge proof of insurance, offer proof of insurance knowing or having reason to believe it is forged, or falsely certify the existence of insurance.
NOTE: Tow fees are paid directly to the tow companies.
The registered owner, lessor or security interest holder will be required to sign a Sheriff’s Office release agreement. Any registered owners, lessors or security interest holders that are not available (out of state, county, etc.) can contact the Sheriff’s Office to make arrangements to fax the release.
Personal Property within Impounded Vehicles
Personal property will be released from the vehicles at the time of the impound. This does not include anything that is attached to the vehicle. Once the tow company takes possession, you must contact the tow company regarding your personal property. The Sheriff’s Office cannot authorize the release of your personal property. Paperwork such as a title, registration, sales contract and insurance card will be released by the tow company.
Hearing Requests:
A person who receives notice, who is entitled to lawful possession, may request a hearing to contest the validity of the impoundment (reason for the tow). The request must be in writing not more than five calendar days from the mailing date of the notice and sent to:
Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office
Attn: Civil Unit
63333 West Highway 20
Bend, OR 97703
Please provide your name, address and contact telephone number where you can be reached. Hearings are set quickly and are heard by the Bend Municipal Court. Prevailing party will be responsible for the fees associated with the hearing.
Abandoned & Hazard Vehicle Tows:
Abandoned Vehicles:
The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office will have a vehicle towed if a vehicle is disabled or abandoned and has been parked or left standing upon a public way for a period in excess of 24 hours without authorization by statute or local ordinance. The Oregon State Police should be notified for vehicles abandoned on the State Highways. City Police are responsible for vehicles abandoned within the city limits.
To report a vehicle you believe to be abandoned on a public way, contact Deschutes County Dispatch Center at (541) 693-6911 option 5. You will need to provide the call taker with:
- A description of the vehicle
- License plate or VIN if available
- Location
- How long it has been there
- Your name and a contact phone number or address
If a vehicle has been declared abandoned, the vehicle will be tagged and must be removed by the owner within 24 hours. If the vehicle is not removed, it will be towed. The tow company that removes the vehicle may attach a lien to the vehicle for the towing and storage charges. If it is not reclaimed within a specific time period, the vehicle will be disposed of or sold.
You have the right to request a hearing if your vehicle was towed or has been tagged to be towed as an abandoned vehicle by the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office. You must submit your request in writing within 5 days of the date the vehicle was tagged. Your request must state the grounds upon which you believe the tow is not justified. Send your requests to:
Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office
Attn: Civil Unit
63333 West Highway 20
Bend, OR 97703
Please provide your name, address and contact telephone number where you can be reached. Hearings are set quickly and are heard by the Bend Municipal Court.
Private Property Removal of Abandoned Vehicles
ORS 98.830 states that a person who is the owner, or in lawful possession, of private property may remove an abandoned vehicle if:
- The person affixes a notice to the vehicle stating that the vehicle will be towed if it is not removed. This notice must remain on the vehicle 72 hours prior to removal of the vehicle. (The Sheriff's Office does not provide this letter)
- The person fills out and signs a letter that includes a description of the vehicle, the location the vehicle will be towed from, and a statement that the person has complied with the above.
- ORS 98.835 grants immunity from civil liability to the person who tows the vehicle if the person has the form (letter) described in ORS 98.830, filled out by the person claiming to be the owner of the private property.
Hazard Vehicles:
Immediate removal of a vehicle that is disabled, abandoned, parked or left standing unattended on a road or highway right-of-way and in such a location as to constitute a hazard or obstruction to motor vehicle traffic is known as a “hazard vehicle tow”.
All law enforcement agencies have authority to request the tow of a hazard vehicle. Please contact non-emergency dispatch at 541-693-6911 option 5, if you suspect your vehicle has been towed. They will be able to tell you which tow company has your vehicle. You will be required to pay towing and storage charges before the tow company will release the vehicle.
Any vehicle that the Sheriff’s Office tows as hazard, we will send the registered owners, lessors and security interest holders of the vehicle as shown in DMV records a notice, by certified mail, that the vehicle has been towed. If you sold your vehicle, but did not notify DMV that it was sold or provide the name of the person you sold it to, you will receive the notice that the vehicle has been towed.
The purpose of the notice is to inform the owner that the vehicle has been towed, provide information about requesting a hearing regarding the validity of the tow and that if the vehicle is not claimed, it is subject to lien for payment of towing and storage charges.
You have the right to request a hearing if your vehicle was towed as a hazard vehicle. Your must submit your request in writing within 5 days of the date the notice was mailed, not including Saturdays, Sundays or holidays . Your request must state the grounds upon which you believe the tow is not justified. Send your requests to:
Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office
Attn: Civil Unit
63333 West Highway 20
Bend, OR 97703
Please provide your name, address and contact telephone number where you can be reached. Hearings are set quickly and are heard by the Bend Municipal Court.
