The following information is what must be done to retrieve a vehicle that has been towed. The information contained on this card is subject to change and reflects a general release process. If your particular tow requires a unique release situation you must contact the Records Supervisor or Traffic Sergeant to explain your case. This contact must be made during normal business hours at times they are available.

Your vehicle was towed for:

• 22651(p) CVC Unlicensed/Suspended Driver's License.

• 22651(0) CVC Expired Registration

Before you can obtain a release for your vehicle from the tow company you must:

• Come to the Newark Police Department for a vehicle release

• Vehicles are released to the Registered or Legal Owner who must be present at the time of release.

• Vehicles must have current registration,

• A licensed driver must be present.

• There is a required $200 administrative fee at the Newark Police Department. Exact cash is accepted after hours. During normal business hours Credit Cards/ATM and cash is accepted.

• Once the administrative fee is paid, you will be given a receipt and a release. This will be taken to the Tow Company that towed the vehicle.

• You will be required to pay applicable tow and storage fees before the vehicle will be released. This could include a gate fee if you want to retrieve the vehicle after normal business hours.

If you do not feel the tow was lawful you may request a tow hearing. The vehicle storage hearing is an informal process to evaluate the validity of a stored or impounded vehicle. Any relevant evidence may be submitted and reviewed by the hearing officer to determine if the vehicle in question was lawfully stored or impounded, in accordance with Newark Police Department policies and procedures. All requests for a hearing on a stored or impounded vehicle shall be submitted in person, writing, or by telephone within 10 days of the date appearing on the notice. A determination that the vehicle was not stored or impounded in a lawful manner or within Department policy will require that the vehicle in storage be released immediately. Towing and storage fees will be paid at the Department's expense.

Additional questions should be directed to the Traffic Sergeant at 510-578-4301

When a citation is issued to a driver, the driver usually receives a courtesy notice from the Traffic Court two to four weeks after the date of the violation. The following options are available to the driver to take care of the citation:

• The driver may pay the fine that is set on the courtesy notice.
• The driver may pay the fine and attend traffic school. Under most circumstances, a driver is eligible to attend traffic school as long as he or she has not attended traffic school on a violation that occurred within the past 18 months after the date of a previous violation. By attending traffic school, the driver may be able to avoid having the violation appear on their driver's license record.
• The driver can schedule a court date with the Traffic Court. Once the date is set, a subpoena is sent to the traffic officer who issued the citation. The traffic officer and the driver appear on the assigned court date. In court, the traffic commissioner presides over the testimony of the traffic officer and the testimony of the driver. The driver has the right to ask questions of the traffic officer regarding the citation and the driver has the option of giving his or her side of the incident. If there are witnesses for either party, they can come to court and give a statement regarding what they saw. When both sides have finished presenting testimony, the traffic commissioner may either render a decision at that time or take the matter under submission and notify both parties of the verdict by mail.

To look up or pay Traffic Citations please visit the Alameda County Superior Court website.

Most drivers can avoid receiving a traffic citation by simply obeying the traffic regulations.

Your vehicle was towed because you or another person who was driving your vehicle has:

• A revoked driver license
• A suspended driver license
• Never been issued a driver license

The registered owner can also be cited for allowing an unlicensed driver to drive their vehicle. Here are some common circumstances:

I let 'so and so' drive. I didn't know his or her license was not valid.                                                            If it's your vehicle, it's your responsibility. Under section 14604 CVC, the owner of a vehicle has a duty to ensure the person driving their vehicle possesses a valid license. If you allow or permit anyone, including your spouse, child, friend or relative to drive your vehicle and that person does not have a valid license, you will be responsible for towing and storage fees.

He or she took the car without my permission.
To say that someone has taken your car without your permission is not a valid excuse. Ask yourself how this happened. Have you allowed this person to use your car in the past? Do they have access to your vehicle? Did you ask to see their license?

To say that someone without a valid license has taken your vehicle without your knowledge or permission, is in fact, cause for a stolen vehicle report to be filed. That person will be arrested for vehicle theft and prosecuted for that crime.

What if I don't agree with the officer who impounded my car?
The registered owner may request a tow hearing. It is a review of the tow as provided for in the California Vehicle Code. This is an administrative review to determine whether the officer had reasonable cause to tow the vehicle.