Impounded car help

Flatlinezor

Hello!

I am unemployed at the moment. My insurance ran out in october last year and I was dumb enough to drive to get my benefits. Garda stopped me, car is impounded obviously.

Now, I'm aware of that I'll have to pay a fine in court as a first offender.

I don't have money though to reclaim the car, it's an old one anyways. If i don't claim it, will they scrap it and no problem anymore and I pay the fine for the offence after court, or how does it go?

I actually made new insurance the day they impounded it, which I cancelled today, since I realized I am very much so in need of paying roadtax as well to get the vehicle. It is economically not viable to pay everything, the car doesn't worth anything compared to it.

So my question is, do I need to go and tell Gardai that I cannot pay for the re-claiming of the vehicle, so they should scrap it? Or should I just go to court and let the car rot?

If they scrap it, will I have to pay more over the fine? I don't really get it what are the options, I don't really have money to claim a car that has 125 per first day and 35 per day storage, with all the tax and new insurance.

Thanks for the help, and before you say, I know it was a mistake to use the car. Hopefully the judge won't see me as a regular offender, since I am not.

Thanks in advance!

Pro Hoc Vice

It's a ban for no insurance, unless a special reason can be shown to the court, not just a fine.

Flatlinezor

I know that. Can someone give a comprehensive answer please, for all the questions?

Ken.

There's a 95% chance you'll get banned so if it was me I'd cancel the insurance and let the cops crush the car. Unless the price to get it out of the pound is less than what you could sell it for.

Little CuChulainn

You can sign a disclaimer in the Garda station to give up the rights to your car so they can scrap it.

Edit: Also, as to the economic viability. It may be viable to pay the fine and get it towed to your driveway and sell it.

Go down and tell the gardai you wish to scrap it.
As far as I know you are still liable for the impound fee and storage fees, so the quicker you sign a disclaimer the less money it'll cost you.

Sasso

Fine/summons for no insurance as you said.
Separate issue is seized car and how to reclaim.
You pay 125 for day 1 and then 35 per day thereafter. To get car you pay appropriate fee and either drive or get someone to drive it out for you. If no tax then it has to be towed as not allowed on road. Overall if car not valuable and now worth it then sign a disclaimer at yard and they scrap, no car but then no fee.
Just the no insurance issue in court then. Unfortunately future quotes will be sky high !!!
Sorry news but hope answers your Qs

Flatlinezor

Thanks for the elaborate answer, I needed exactly something like this. I'll go the garda station then to sign the paper for not wanting the car.

Future quotes I am not that vary of, although I won't lie when setting up a new one, though i am sure the guy/gal behind the computer would not be able to check. And I expect a ban anyways, so... Current insurance canceled already, so it's taken care of.

Thanks for the info!

Ken.

I got done for no insurance a few years ago and when applying for new insurance(no ban,Just endorsement on licence) the lady told me a no insurance endorsement was a catch 22. Its not like drink driving where you can do it again and again. If you have insurance you won't get done for no insurance again so they didn't load me up as bad as I was expecting. Only thing was I couldn't go direct debit. Had to pay it all up front.

Inspector Dhar

I know you won't want to read this, OP, but, shame on you for driving with no insurance. And, No! Being unemployed is not an excuse.

Flatlinezor

I know. I totally agree with your point. I never had any accidents ever in my life, holding a licence since 15 years and i Never drink at all, not just not for driving.

Yes, it was completely just laziness. Now i pay the price, I really liked my car, in spite of it's age.

Pat Mustard

Inspector Dhar wrote: »

I know you won't want to read this, OP, but, shame on you for driving with no insurance. And, No! Being unemployed is not an excuse.

Mod:

Nobody else wants to hear it either. It's not clever, it's not useful and it's not funny.

This is the Legal Discussion forum. If you are not attempting to discuss legal topics, you are posting off topic. Off topic posting might be overlooked if your post was in any way helpful or even entertaining, but your post did not reach either of those standards.

Victor

Flatlinezor wrote: »

I don't have money though to reclaim the car, it's an old one anyways. If i don't claim it, will they scrap it and no problem anymore and I pay the fine for the offence after court, or how does it go?

The don't scrap the vehicles, they sell them. You will need to investigate whether you are responsible for any balance between the value of the vehicle and the impound charges.

You might see if there is someone who can help you with such things.

Flatlinezor

I am pretty sure they scrap them. Anyways, I phone them on Monday (today) on what to sign.

Cryos

Victor wrote: »

The don't scrap the vehicles, they sell them. You will need to investigate whether you are responsible for any balance between the value of the vehicle and the impound charges.

You might see if there is someone who can help you with such things.

Most cars are scrapped, especially if they are Section 41's. The gardai cannot afford to keep the vehicles in Private Operator Storage, there is a time limit for gardai to deal with the case.

The private operator may use a Lein to recover the debt owed on storage, depending on the vehicles OMSP they will wait differing amounts of times; 30 Days prior to the car being sold to recover the debt. Generally its charged at €25 Per day Ex Vat.

Talk with whoever has the vehicle if you want to keep it, you normally will be able to agree a lower figure.