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Vehicle Impound Forms and Information

Vehicle Towed/Impounded? If your vehicle was towed and/or impounded, you have a right to a court hearing. The hearing provides you with the opportunity to challenge the validity of the impoundment and/or the amount of the towing/storage fees.

But you must act fast! See the discussion below about the 10 day deadline and 5 day deadline.

First, Start With "Vehicle Impound Checklist" – Click on the link "Vehicle Impound Checklist" so you can become familiar with vehicle impound cases.

Next Review "Guide To Representing Yourself" – Click on the link "Guide To Representing Yourself" so that you can confidently represent yourself.

Then Review "Guide To Website Forms" – The District Court website contains many forms. Before using these forms, please click on the link "Guide To Website Forms" to assist you with the proper use of these forms.

Impound Hearing Request Form – To request a hearing, you must complete and file in District Court the written Impounded Vehicle Hearing Request form provided to you by the tow operator. If you lost the form or did not receive one, you must contact the tow company immediately to obtain the form.

Caution – 10 Day Deadline To File After Receiving Form. You must complete and file the Impounded Vehicle Hearing Request form with the correct court within 10 days of the date the tow operator gave you the form. If the correct court does not receive your completed Impounded Vehicle Hearing Request form within 10 days, you will lose your right to have an impound hearing. RCW 46.55.120(2)(b).

Caution – 5 Day Deadline Before Auction. If the vehicle is scheduled for auction, you must complete and file the Impounded Vehicle Hearing Request form with the correct court more than 5 days before the date the vehicle is scheduled for auction. If the correct court does not receive your completed Impounded Vehicle Hearing Request form more than 5 days before the auction, you will lose your right to have an impound hearing. RCW 46.55.120(2)(b).

Important Notice – District Court personnel are not permitted to fill out any forms. District Court personnel are also not authorized to give legal advice. District Court strongly encourages an unrepresented party to seek legal advice from an attorney. If you need help, please review the "Guide To Website Forms" on the District Court website.

The information contained here is intended to address the most frequently asked questions. It is not comprehensive and should not be construed as legal advice.

Important Notice Regarding Litigant Confidential Information – District Court needs information about every party involved in a case so the court can accurately identify the parties and be able to contact them.

If you have not already done so, please complete a Litigant Confidential Information Form and provide it to the court. You should also use the form to update information previously provided to the court.

Which Court Can Hear My Impound Hearing? You must file your completed Impounded Vehicle Hearing Request form in the correct court.
Kitsap County District Court has jurisdiction to determine the issues involving all vehicle impoundments occurring within Kitsap County, Washington, except impoundments authorized by city agents (such as Bainbridge Island Police Department, Bremerton Police Department, Port Orchard Police Department, and Poulsbo Police Department) which must be filed with the city's municipal court. RCW 46.55.120(2)(b).

Caution – Do Not File In Kitsap County District Court. Do not file the Impounded Vehicle Hearing Request form in Kitsap County District Court if either of the following applies to your case –

(1) Vehicle Not Impounded Within Kitsap County. Your vehicle was not impounded in Kitsap County, Washington; or
(2) Authorized By City Agent. Your vehicle was impounded in Kitsap County, Washington but the impoundment was authorized by a
city agent
of Bainbridge Island, Bremerton, Port Orchard, or Poulsbo.

It is your responsibility to file the Impounded Vehicle Hearing Request form in the correct court.

Court staff will not review your Impounded Vehicle Hearing Request form to see whether your filed the form in the correct court.

You must file the Impounded Vehicle Hearing Request form in the correct court. If you incorrectly file the form in Kitsap County District Court, you may lose your right to have an impound hearing because the form will not be timely filed by you in the correct court. Your $83.00 filing fee will not be returned by Kitsap County District Court if you incorrectly file your case.

What Can I Challenge At The Impound Hearing? RCW 46.55.120(3)(b) provides that you may challenge any of the following at an impound hearing –

  • Validity. The legal validity of the impound; or
  • Towing/Storage Charges. The amount of towing and storage charges; or
  • Validity And Towing/Storage Charges. Both the legal validity of the impound and the amount of towing and storage charges.


Do I Have To Pay Any Money For An Impound Hearing? Yes, $83.00 – Washington law requires a petitioner to pay an $83.00 filing fee when an Impounded Vehicle Hearing Request form is filed with District Court. RCW 46.55.120(2)(b).

How Do I Pay The Filing Fee? District Court offers several methods of payment. See Payment Of Tickets, Fines, And Court Fees on the District Court website for payment options.

What If I Cannot Afford To Pay The $83.00 Filing Fee? The First Amendment guarantees everyone the right to "petition the government for a redress of grievances." Access to the judicial branch of government is included within this First Amendment right. Kitsap County District Court is committed to the principle that everyone must have access to courts regardless of a person's financial situation.

If you want to file a case in a Washington court but cannot afford to pay the fees, you may ask the court to waive the fees. The judge shall waive all fees and surcharges if the judge finds you are indigent and payment of a fee or surcharge "is a condition precedent to a litigant's ability to secure access to judicial relief from a judicial officer in the applicable trial court." General Rule 34(a).

Filing Fees Will Be Waived If (1) You Ask And (2) You Qualify – There is no cost for you to ask the judge to waive filing fees and surcharges. If you are not sure whether you qualify, please ask as soon as possible by filing a Vehicle Impound Motion For Waiver Of Fees. District Court grants hundreds of fee waiver requests every year so that everyone can have access to justice.

If any one of the following four categories applies to you, you are indigent and qualify to have all the filing fees and surcharges waived so you can file your case with District Court –

  • Government Assistance – An individual is currently receiving assistance under any needs-based, means-tested assistance program such as –

(1) Federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF); or
(2) State-provided general assistance for unemployable individuals (GA-U or GA-X); or
(3) Federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI); or
(4) Federal poverty-related veteran's benefits; or
(5) Food Stamp Program (FSP); or
(6) Welfare; or
(7) Medicaid; or
(8) Pregnant Women Assistance Benefits; or
(9) Refugee Settlement Benefits; or
(10) Aged, Blind or Disabled Assistance Program; or

  • Below Poverty Guideline – An individual's household income is at or below 125% of the federal poverty guideline; or
  • Without Financial Ability – An individual's household income is above 125% of the federal poverty guideline and recurring basic living expenses (as defined in RCW 10.101.010(4)(d)) render the individual without the financial ability to pay the fees or surcharges; or
  • Other – Other compelling circumstances exist that demonstrate an individual's inability to pay fees and/or surcharges.