Vehicle Impoundment Registry (VIR)
The Vehicle Impoundment Registry (VIR) oversees motor vehicle seizures and impoundments by:
- determining if the impoundment is legal
- setting the impoundment period
- issuing Notices of Extension
- issuing Orders to Release
- authorizing the disposal of a vehicle
- answering public enquiries
- ensuring police and garage keepers follow the law
Under Section 242.1 of The Highway Traffic Act (The HTA), a vehicle must be impounded if its driver is driving while:
- suspended
- prohibited
- impaired
- committing a prostitution-related offence
A vehicle must also be impounded if the driver fails or refuses a police request for a:
- breath/oral fluid/urine/blood demand
- field sobriety test
- drug recognition evaluation
Vehicle can be forfeited if the driver:
- commits a serious motor vehicle offence
- is a repeat offender, as indicated by the VIR
Contact Us
For more information, including obtaining a copy of the Annual Report, contact Vehicle Impoundment Registry at 204-945-4454 in Winnipeg (1-866-626-4862 ext 4454) or email vehicleimpoundment@gov.mb.ca.
Abbreviations
Justice: Judicial Justice of the Peace who has the authority to conduct trials and sentencing hearings, make protection orders and issue search warrants in Manitoba
Over .08: Having a blood alcohol content greater than .08
Over .16: Having a blood alcohol content greater than .16
Refusal: Refusing of a breath/oral fluid/urine/blood demand
Refusal FST: Refusal of a field sobriety test or failure to follow a peace officer’s instructions about the test
Refusal DRE: Refusal of a drug recognition evaluation test or failure to follow a peace officer’s instructions about the test
VIR: Vehicle Impoundment Registry
The HTA: The Highway Traffic Act
