When Can Your Vehicle Be Towed to an Impound Lot in Armenia?

The legislation of the Republic of Armenia clearly defines the cases in which a police officer has the right to move a vehicle to a special guarded area, better known as an "impound lot." Below, we outline the main provisions according to the RA Law "On Ensuring Road Traffic Safety."

Primary Grounds for Vehicle Impoundment

The police are required to impound your vehicle if any of the following violations occur:

• Driving Under the Influence (DUI): If the driver is under the influence of alcohol or other substances or refuses to undergo a sobriety test.

• Lack of Driving Rights: If the driver's license has been suspended or if they do not have a license for that specific vehicle category.

• Document Issues: If the driver does not have their license with them, is using fake or expired documents, or is driving without a registration certificate.

• License Plate Issues: If the vehicle's license plates are fake, altered, do not meet standards, or are missing entirely.

• Wanted by Police: If the vehicle or an occupant is wanted by the police.

• Traffic Accident: If the vehicle was involved in a traffic accident that resulted in injuries.

• Unpaid Taxes: If the road tax has not been paid.

• Illegal Equipment: If flashing beacons or special sound signals are installed on the vehicle without permission.

• Altered Aggregates: If the vehicle's numbered parts (engine, chassis) have forged or altered serial numbers.

Important to Know

• If the violation can be resolved on the spot (for example, if another sober and licensed driver can take the wheel), the vehicle will not be towed.

• To retrieve your vehicle from the impound lot, you must resolve the cause of the violation within 120 hours.

• If the issue is not resolved after 120 hours, an additional fee of 50% of the minimum wage will be charged for each subsequent day.

In all cases, an official report is filed, a copy of which is given to the driver or the vehicle's owner.