LOS ANGELES : $40 Hike in Car Impound Fees Gets Preliminary OK
Motorists will have to pay an additional $40 to retrieve cars impounded by the city of Los Angeles under a policy given preliminary approval by the City Council on Friday.
The fees, which could take effect in December, are designed to help the city recoup part of the $12 million it spends annually on its impound operation.
The new $40 fee is in addition to any fines already levied by the city. Private garages performing the work for the city also charge a standard $69.50 towing fee and storage costs.
Some City Council members said they hope to amend the policy to waive or reduce the impound fee for poor people who are uninsured. Lawmakers said they will also try to reduce towing fees by opening the program to competitive bidding. More than 80% of cars impounded by the city are stolen, improperly registered, confiscated at crime scenes or towed for parking violations.
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