If you are an adult male traveling alone or with other adults, you may find yourself standing on a street corner, trying to find your way home, while a tow truck takes your car away.

Uninsured Accident

Even if you're not at fault in an accident, if you crash your car without insurance, it may get towed away, even if it's drivable. Not only will you receive a citation for driving uninsured, but the Oregon DMV will suspend your license for one year (any uninsured accident occurring after January 1, 2026, will no longer cause the suspension of the driver’s license). You will be required to carry SR22-type insurance for three years. You may apply for a Hardship Permit during that one-year suspension for uninsured accidents occurring prior to January 1, 2026. I’ve even seen a police officer show up at the residence of the uninsured car’s owner and issue a citation for permitting the use of an uninsured vehicle and suspend their license as well. This extended action depends on the severity of the crash, the officer’s workload, and the jurisdiction’s rules and laws.

Driving while Suspended

If a police officer catches you driving with a suspended license, they may order the vehicle to be impounded and towed. Sometimes, they will wait until someone with a driver’s license shows up at the scene and can prove the car has insurance. If the suspended driver has other outstanding warrants or unpaid fines, the police officer might not be inclined to wait and order the vehicle towed.

Bonus Reason for Towing

Of course, if used in some criminal activity, your vehicle will be impounded and held as evidence in the police impound lot until the crime has been adjudicated.