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Towed and seized vehicles

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Claim a vehicle that’s been towed and impounded by Council. Find out what happens to unclaimed vehicles.

Car being loaded onto a tow truck.
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Important things to know

  • The definition of a vehicle includes but is not limited to cars, caravans, trailers, trucks and motorcycles.
  • A list of seized vehicles is published on this webpage. These vehicles may be claimed by the owner within 28 days from the date of seizure and removal.
  • Unclaimed abandoned vehicles may be offered for sale by private treaty, tender, expression of interest or at an impounded car auction.

Why has my vehicle been towed?

Your vehicle may have been towed because it has been reported as:

  • abandoned
  • hazardous
  • illegally parked (including in a clearway or across a driveway)
  • unregistered
  • unsightly/dilapidated.

If the vehicle is registered and parked lawfully, Council will only take action when it is considered abandoned.

An unmanaged vehicle is any vehicle that has been parked or left illegally on a Council road or road-related area. This includes hazardous, unregistered, abandoned and unsightly/dilapidated vehicles.

Before removing unmanaged vehicles, we check if the vehicle is registered or stolen. If the owner is found, we give them the chance to move the vehicle themselves.

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Note

Council can seize and remove unmanaged vehicles on Council land under the Public Land and Council Assets Local Law 2014 and on roads and road-related areas under the Health, Safety and Amenity Local Law 2021.

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How can I claim my vehicle?

1 Find the reference number

Find your vehicle’s reference number. This will be stated on your removal notice or you can look it up using the towed vehicle search.

2 Prepare your documents

You need to satisfy the requirements of ownership to claim a seized vehicle.

You must provide:

  • proof of ownership or right to possession to Council’s satisfaction, such as a registration notice or statutory declaration
  • photographic identification.
3 Claim your vehicle

Phone Council on 07 3403 8888 and quote your vehicle’s reference number.

4 Arrange collection

You need to arrange the collection of your vehicle from the applicable tow company.

5 Pay the release fee

When collecting your vehicle, you must pay the tow company's release fee.

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You have 28 days from the seized date to claim and collect your vehicle.

Find out if your vehicle has been towed

Check the table below for details of all vehicles removed from Council roads and road related areas. We will add vehicles as soon as practicable, and they will be displayed for at least 14 days.

Unclaimed vehicle auctions

Unclaimed seized vehicles may be offered for sale by private treaty, tender, expression of interest or auction at Manheim in Brisbane.

For more information about auctions, visit Manheim. 

Manheim Brisbane

110 Lamington Ave, Eagle Farm Qld 4009 07 3868 9999

Monday to Friday: 8am–4:30pm

Saturday and Sunday: Closed

Frequently asked questions

To claim a vehicle that’s been seized by Council, phone 07 3403 8888 and quote the Council reference number. This can be found on the removal notice or you can look it up using the towed vehicle search.

Within 28 days of the vehicle being seized, you must:

  • provide proof of ownership or right to possession to Council’s satisfaction (such as registration notice, statutory declaration) and provide photographic identification.
  • pay a release fee and arrange for the vehicle to be collected
  • arrange for collection of the vehicle.

If these requirements are not met within the 28 days, Council may dispose of the vehicle.

If your car has been towed for being parked illegally, including parking in a clearway or ‘No stopping’ zone, contact Council on 07 3403 8888 for further instructions.

You’ll have to pay a release fee to the tow company when collecting your vehicle and there may also be a parking fine on your vehicle that you’ll need to pay to Council.