Can a Seized Car Still Be Driven?
4 Answers
A seized vehicle can still be driven if it is not under impoundment, and it can undergo normal annual inspections and insurance payments. However, it cannot be sold, mortgaged, or repurposed for other uses. Below are the specific reasons: Legal Basis for Driving a Seized Vehicle: According to Order No. 124 of the Ministry of Public Security, it explicitly prohibits certain vehicle-related procedures during the seizure period, such as registration, modification, transfer, mortgage release, deregistration, and pledge release. However, it does not prohibit annual inspections, temporary license plates, or replacement of license plates and certificates. The "Road Traffic Safety Law" does not stipulate that seized vehicles are prohibited from being driven on the road. Additionally, based on the nature of seized vehicles, a car that is merely seized can still be driven legally. Cases Where a Seized Vehicle Cannot Be Driven: If the vehicle is both seized and impounded, it cannot be driven on the road. Methods to Lift the Seizure: If a seized vehicle is not resolved within the stipulated time, it may be locked at any time. As long as the seized vehicle is not physically impounded, it can still be driven, but changes or transfers are not allowed. To lift the seizure, the respondent must fulfill the judgment or provide other guarantees. If the judgment has been fully executed, an application can be made to the court to lift the seizure. Once the court issues a release ruling, the ruling document can be taken to the vehicle management office to complete the release process.
Can a car still be driven if it's impounded? Absolutely not! Impoundment means the vehicle is legally locked down, possibly due to unpaid debts, lawsuits, or unresolved traffic violations. Law enforcement places seals or marks on the car, prohibiting its use. If you insist on driving it, the police will detect it immediately, resulting in on-the-spot vehicle seizure, fines, and possibly additional penalties like point deductions or legal trouble. Driving an impounded car during the impoundment period means insurance won't cover any accidents, leaving you fully responsible for the financial losses. I've seen many car owners make this mistake, spending even more to redeem their cars—it's not worth it. Safe driving comes first; if your car is impounded, park it properly and promptly contact the impounding authority to clarify the reason, such as settling debts in court or handling violations. Only drive it after the impoundment is lifted. Don't take unnecessary risks for temporary convenience—be responsible for your car and road safety.
Driving a car after it has been impounded? You need to be very careful, as this is illegal. Impoundment usually stems from debt disputes or legal judgments, meaning the vehicle is frozen and cannot be moved. Driving it on the road may trigger law enforcement intervention, potentially resulting in fines of several thousand yuan, the car being towed away, and even greater trouble. If caught, it could also affect your credit record or lead to criminal issues. I recommend avoiding impounded vehicles altogether. First, check the impound notice to understand the underlying issue, such as unpaid debts or unresolved liability in a traffic accident, then proactively contact the relevant authorities to resolve it. Only after the impoundment is lifted is it safe to drive, and you can avoid unnecessary financial and legal risks. Driving legally not only protects yourself but also maintains social order—don’t let a small mistake escalate into a bigger problem.
Don't drive a seized car! I used to be foolish too, thinking it was fine to force it out, but the police stopped me and the hefty fine hurt badly, plus the car got towed causing delays. A seizure means the vehicle is in a legally prohibited status, driving it equals breaking the law, and if caught, the car will be impounded with fines. Handling a seizure is actually simple: park it and don't move it, check the reason for seizure (like unpaid debts or tickets), and promptly resolve it at court or the relevant authority. Driving before release is high-risk—insurance may be void, and accident losses could be huge. Play it safe, comply, and don't repeat my lesson.
