Fees to retrieve impounded vehicles double from today
Higher fees to retrieve impounded vehicles, including scramblers, from gardaí have come into force today.
Starting today, fees to reclaim impounded vehicles from gardaí will be doubled, including those of scramblers. Owners of seized cars will now pay €250 for the initial day of storage, up from the previous €125. Each subsequent day of holding will cost an extra €70, previously €35. Heavier vehicles, generally over 3,500kg, will see a higher increase, with the first day now costing €500, up from €250, and each extra day €100, previously €50.
Minister of State for Transport Seán Canney explained that the changes ensure owners bear the cost of vehicle retrieval and storage, providing a stronger deterrent. Susan Gray, a road safety campaigner from PARC, welcomed the updates, noting they hadn't changed since 2011. Gray believes the new fees will discourage road traffic offenses, particularly among learner drivers.
Gardaí often report impounding learner permit holders' cars, with the previous fee of €125 not acting as a deterrent, with many returning to the road the following day.
Written by urgent.news from RTE News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
