Immobilization of the vehicle
Verified 03 July 2025 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
Law enforcement has immobilized your vehicle and you're wondering how to get it back? We'll tell you what you need to know.
The infringements the following may cause your vehicle to come to a standstill:
- Traffic violation resulting in a confiscation of the vehicle: offenses related to alcohol, speed, driving without a license...
- Offense entailing vehicle impoundment
- Non-compliance with traffic rules: safety distance in a tunnel, obstruction of traffic, irregular crossing of a level crossing ...
- Non-compliance with technical inspection rules
- Non-conformity of registration plates
- Non-conformity of the condition of the vehicle: abnormally noisy or polluting, or presenting a danger to users.
- Non-conformity of vehicle equipment: insufficiently transparent front windshield or side windows (unless there is a medical reason), absence or deterioration of speed recording equipment.
- Refusal to comply
- Putting into service or keeping in service a vehicle or trailer without it having been the subject of a reception
- Keeping in circulation a severely damaged vehicle whose certificate of registration (Certificate of Registration) has been withdrawn or which has been prohibited from circulation
- Failure to comply with the rules governing the use of a provisional movement document (Provisional Certificate of Registration (PIC), duly filled detachable coupon, WW CPI, DPTC WW CPI, certificate ‘W garage’, transit certificate or equivalent document issued by the competent authority of a European country (EU))
- Movement of a vehicle under declaration of purchase (AD) without garage W-plate.
When law enforcement decides to stop your vehicle, you must keep it in place or near while respecting the parking rules.
Law enforcement gives you a fixed asset card or a provisional movement record in exchange for the vehicle's Certificate of Registration (C of R).
If you are absent or refuse to move your vehicle, it can be immobilized by mechanical means.
The immobilization of a vehicle may be a prior to impoundment.
You must prove that the offense that caused the immobilization of the vehicle has ceased.
You must contact the authority indicated on the fixed asset card.
If the offense committed concerns the non-conformity of registration plates, you must register the vehicle.
Ask law enforcement for a copy of the procedure.
Obstructing the immobilization of your vehicle is punishable by up to 3 months in prison and a fine of up to €3,750.
You also lose 6 points on your driving license.
You may also additional penalties following:
- Suspension of the license for a period of up to 3 years (accommodation possible outside the professional activity)
- Sentence of work of general interest
- Sentence of fine days.
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