Dealing with a car boot or vehicle impoundment can be a stressful experience. In Philadelphia, if your vehicle has been immobilized with a boot or towed to an impound lot due to parking violations, understanding the process to reclaim it is crucial. This guide will walk you through the necessary steps to get your car back on the road.
First and foremost, it’s important to understand why your car was booted or impounded. Typically, this occurs due to outstanding parking tickets and unpaid fines. The City of Philadelphia enforces parking regulations rigorously, and booting or impoundment are measures taken to ensure compliance and payment of penalties. Ignoring parking violations can quickly escalate to these more serious consequences.
To reclaim your impounded vehicle, you must settle all outstanding parking tickets along with the associated towing and storage fees. The city provides several convenient locations where you can make these payments in full.
One primary location for settling your dues is the Parking Violations Branch located at 913 Filbert Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107. Their operating hours are quite accommodating: Weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and even on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. This location serves as a central hub for resolving parking violation issues and initiating the vehicle release process.
Another payment location is Lot 10 situated at 6 E. Oregon Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19148. You can also reach them by phone at (215) 683-9601 to inquire about specific impoundment details. Lot 10 offers extended operating hours, catering to different schedules: Monday to Thursday from 7:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m., Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m., and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. These extended hours, especially into the late evening and weekend, provide more flexibility for vehicle owners to address their impoundment issues.
You can also make payments at the Philadelphia Municipal Court – Traffic Division, located at 800 Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123. Their hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. This location provides a more formal setting within the court system to resolve your outstanding tickets and impoundment fees.
Before heading to the Impoundment Lot to retrieve your vehicle, ensure you have all the necessary documents ready. The staff will require you to present the following:
- Your valid driver’s license: This is essential for verifying your identity and legal driving status.
- Current vehicle registration: Proof of registration confirms that the vehicle is legally registered to you or the person reclaiming it.
- Proof of current insurance for the vehicle: Valid insurance is mandatory to operate a vehicle legally and is required for release.
- Cashier’s receipt(s) along with the accompanying BAA/PVB Release Authorization: This is your proof of payment for all outstanding tickets, tow, and storage charges. You will receive this after making payment at one of the locations mentioned earlier.
- Release authorization from the Philadelphia Traffic Court: This is specifically required for vehicles impounded through a Live Stop. Check if this applies to your situation, especially if the impoundment was a result of a traffic stop.
In situations where you are unable to pay the full amount immediately, the city offers an option to arrange a payment plan. You can do this through an expedited hearing at the Bureau of Administrative Adjudication (BAA), located at 913 Filbert Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107. The hours for expedited hearings regarding booted or impounded vehicles are Weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. It’s advisable to arrive as early as possible due to potential volume and to secure a place in line. Note that the closing time for accepting walk-in expedited hearings might vary based on the number of people already waiting.
Getting your car boot removed or reclaiming your impounded vehicle in Philadelphia requires prompt action and adherence to the outlined procedures. By understanding the reasons for the enforcement, knowing where to make payments, gathering the necessary documents, and exploring payment plan options if needed, you can efficiently navigate the process and get back behind the wheel. Remember to act quickly to minimize storage fees and resolve the situation as soon as possible.
