It happens to almost a million vehicles each year. The U. S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) removes cars, trucks, and other large vehicles from owners due to unpaid taxes or insurance claims.
Like most agencies, CBP analyzes your vehicle for outstanding fines and needs new technology to better assist drivers and policyholders. This can be nice as many people are contacted by this program as their vehicles are!
The process can be frustrating as there is no clear cut-off point when a car is no longer eligible for this program. Anytime a car is taken away, the owner has the right to get it back!
However, there are some ways to get your vehicle back if you have been turned away by CBP. This article will talk about ways to get your vehicle back if you have had a hard time negotiating with law enforcement or border agents.
Contents:
Make sure that your vehicle is really with border patrol
If your vehicle is not with border patrol, then you can call them to make sure that it is. Some officers will check their paperwork to make sure it is with them before they let you in the border area.
If it is, then you can go to a car dealership or gas station and pick up your vehicle. Most do not charge any storage fees, and most will let you take your car home if you need to.
If the officer determines that the vehicle was stolen, the dealership or gas station could file charges against him or her and send it back to border patrol for them to re-take.
Either way, be patient as this process can take a few days, so do not get stressed out or nervous.
Call border patrol to find out how to get your car back
If the vehicle has been impounded or stolen, you can call border patrol to figure out if your car is still owned by border patrol.
Call (800) 547-1653 to find out if your vehicle is still impounded or owned by border patrol. If so, a representative will come and remove it from the impound lot and bring it to a certified contractor for you to purchase.
If not, the representative can tell you if your vehicle is registered in another state and you can have it transferred to yours. If so, you can go buy yourself a new car!
Either way, once you have your car back, make sure to check your driving and safety records before taking any risks. You could end up with a new car or death sentence for driving under the new restrictions.
Border Patrol has different locations so check which one has your car
If your vehicle is taken away by Border Patrol, there are some steps you can take to have it back. Some of these steps include contacting the nearest Department of Motor Vehicles, local police, or the Department of Homeland Security.
Many times a vehicle owner will not report their car stolen due to fear that it will be repossessed. If your vehicle has been taken away, contact the local police department and ask if they can get your car back. Many times they can!
The last step in having your car back is contacting the Department of Homeland Security. You must do this directly to have a chance at getting your car back. Normally when cars are repossessed, they are sold at auction which means people with lots of money can get them again. However, if your vehicle has been taken away by Border Patrol, then you may need to ask for it to be returned because it was used in the commission of a crime.
Go to the location and talk to someone about getting your vehicle back
If you are concerned about your vehicle being seized or broken down, then you should go to the location where it was taken and talk to someone about getting it back.
Many times, border patrol officers do not have a lot of knowledge about vehicles and how to properly dispose of a vehicle after they seize it. This can lead to it being broken down or stored at a neighbor’s house until you can get it back.
It is important that you speak with someone at the location about what should be done with the vehicle after they take it. Many times, storing the vehicle at a neighbor’s house or local garage is not ideal because of security concerns.
How much you pay for this service depends on what type of vehicle you have, how long it has been missing, and how far away from the border patrol station you live.
Have your driver’s license ready
If you have a driver’s license or license in another country, you can present it to Border Patrol officials. If you do not have a driver’s license or driver’s certificate, you can print out this information and bring it with you.
You may be asked to show your passport if your driver’s license does not meet the requirements for driving in the US. Border Patrol officials will decide if they believe you are who you say you are based on your driving record and any reports they might receive.
If this is the case, then it is important to have your personal information updated as well. Your personal information may include your social security number, former addresses, and phone numbers. It is recommended to update these records as soon as possible so that there is no delay in obtaining your vehicle back.
Explain why you want your car back
If you have a traffic violation or if your vehicle was stolen, you may be able to get your vehicle back through the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Program known as Auto restitution.
The Auto restitution program allows you to have your vehicle returned to you if it was stolen while in your possession or was improperly maintained, sold, or donated by a licensed car dealer.
It also allows you to have your vehicle returned if it has been damaged due to improper maintenance such as water intrusion, lack of tire inflation and/or pressure protector devices, and/or improper racing procedures.
If your car has been damage due to racing procedures such as improper track safety regulations such as no tire balancing or wheel stretching, then there is a chance that the new driver will not be able to restore it back to its proper condition.
Pay the bond if asked for one
If your vehicle is asked to pay a bond by Border Patrol, do it. A high enough bond will cover the cost of getting your vehicle back.
Some vehicles are more expensive to bail out than others. Tires and parts are evaluated on a case-by-case basis to determine which ones require a high amount of money to replace.
If your tires are missing or some parts have been replaced, you will have a better chance of getting your vehicle back as those items are usually cheaper to replace than new ones.
Border Patrol does not charge drivers fees or charges when they bail out vehicles. They just give the driver a form to sign that says they agree to pay the bond if convicted of immigration charges.
Bonded drivers must bring their vehicle within 48 hours after being released from jail or Border Patrol or it can be auctioned off at an event in San Diego in May 2019.
Wait for confirmation that you get your car back
If you are already in the United States, and Border Patrol asks for your vehicle back, go to a Border Patrol processing center and turn your car in.
If you are outside the United States, call the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) National Hotline at 1-800-375-5283 to request your vehicle.
You must be there within a few days of turning in your vehicle to receive your car back. If you are not sure you can get your car back, wait until it is confirmed Border Patrol will return it before driving it yourself.
If you cannot go to a CBP processing center or make the phone call, build an impregnable fortress around your car. Then wait for at least several days before trying to get inside because of storms or other emergencies.
It is important that you do not leave any signs or other evidence that you had the vehicle until this happens.