Idaho Code

Idaho Code § 49-662 (2026)

Officers authorized to remove vehicles.

✓ current as of May 2026

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Officers authorized to remove vehicles.

(1) Whenever any peace officer finds a vehicle in violation of any of the provisions of section 49-659, Idaho Code, the officer is authorized to move the vehicle, or require the driver or other person in charge of the vehicle to move it to a position off the roadway.

(2) Any peace officer is authorized to remove or cause to be removed to a place of safety any unattended vehicle illegally left standing upon any highway in a position or under circumstances as to obstruct the normal movement of traffic.

(3) Any peace officer is authorized to remove or cause to be removed to the nearest garage or other place of safety any vehicle found upon a highway when:

(a) A report has been made that the vehicle has been stolen or taken without the consent of its owner; or

(b) The person or persons in charge of the vehicle are unable to provide for its custody or removal; or

(c) The person driving or in control of the vehicle is arrested for an alleged offense for which the officer is required by law to take the person arrested before a proper magistrate without unnecessary delay.

(4) Whenever any peace officer finds a vehicle inoperable as a result of an accident and standing upon a highway, the officer is authorized to require the driver or other person in charge of the vehicle to have the vehicle removed from the scene of the accident to a position off the paved or main-traveled part of the highway. In the event that the owner of the vehicle is left incapacitated resulting from injuries suffered from the accident, the officer is authorized to have the inoperative vehicle moved from the scene to the nearest garage or other place of safety.

(5) A peace officer is authorized to require the removal from the main-traveled part of the highway cargo or debris caused by a motor vehicle accident, provided that:

(a) The accident occurs with no apparent serious personal injury or death; and

(b) The removal can be accomplished safely and the removal will result in the improved safety or convenience of travel on the highway.

(6) A transportation department employee in the exercise of the management, control and maintenance of a highway of the state highway system may assist in the removal from the main-traveled part of the highway cargo or debris caused by a motor vehicle accident when directed by a peace officer.

(7) Neither the peace officer nor transportation department employee, nor anyone acting under the direction of the officer is liable for damage to the motor vehicle, cargo or debris caused by reasonable efforts of removal.

(8) Nothing herein shall be construed to interfere with the duty of any city, county or state police officer to investigate and detect crime and enforce the penal, traffic or highway laws of this state or any political subdivision.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 9 cases (3 in the last 5 years), 1991–2025 · leading case: State v. Weaver, 900 P.2d 196 (Idaho 1995).

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State v. Weaver, 900 P.2d 196 (Idaho 1995). · cites it 10× “SILAK, Justice, specially concurring: I concur in the Court's opinion, and write only concerning the argument made by the state at the hearing that the impoundment and subsequent search of Pearl Weaver's vehicle were authorized by I.C. § 49-662(3)(c). This statute authorizes…”

State v. Smith, 569 P.3d 137 (Idaho 2025). · cites it 10× “Idaho Code section 49-662 grants police officers the authority to remove vehicles to the nearest garage or other place of safety in four circumstances.”

State v. Brumfield, 42 P.3d 706 (Idaho Ct. App. 2001). · cites it 4× “Additionally, I.C. § 49-662(3) gives authority to police officers to remove vehicles to the nearest garage or other place of safety in four circumstances not applicable to this case.”

Olguin v. City of Burley, 810 P.2d 255 (Idaho 1991). · cites it 8× “§ 49-692(3) [now I.C. § 49-662(3)]. ... . Where a person has a right to control a vehicle, he must exercise ordinary care and not permit another to use it in circumstances where he knows or should foreseeably know that such use may create an unreasonable risk of harm to others.”

State v. Mireles, 991 P.2d 878 (Idaho Ct. App. 1999). · cites it 4× “Idaho Code § 49-662 authorizes an officer who finds a vehicle in violation of § 49-659 to "move the vehicle or require the driver of other person in charge of the vehicle to move it to a position off the roadway.”

State v. Bray, 834 P.2d 892 (Idaho Ct. App. 1992). · cites it 2× “Under I.C. § 49-662(2) and (3)(b), (2) Any peace officer is authorized to remove or cause to be removed to a place of safety any unattended vehicle illegally left standing upon any highway in a position or under circumstances as to obstruct the normal movement of traffic.”

State v. Smith (Idaho 2025). · cites it 10× “Idaho Code section 49-662 grants police officers the authority to remove vehicles to the nearest garage or other place of safety in four circumstances.”

State v. Weaver, 910 P.2d 766 (Idaho Ct. App. 1994). · cites it 4× “Idaho Code § 49-662 (3)(c) authorizes im-poundment of a vehicle when the person driving or in control of the vehicle is arrested for an offense requiring an appearance before a magistrate.”

— Idaho Code § 49-662(1) — 3 cases

State v. Smith, 569 P.3d 137 (Idaho 2025). “Idaho Code section 49-662 grants police officers the authority to remove vehicles to the nearest garage or other place of safety in four circumstances.”

State v. Smith (Idaho 2025). “Idaho Code section 49-662 grants police officers the authority to remove vehicles to the nearest garage or other place of safety in four circumstances.”

— Idaho Code § 49-662(2) — 1 case

State v. Bray, 834 P.2d 892 (Idaho Ct. App. 1992). “Under I.C. § 49-662(2) and (3)(b), (2) Any peace officer is authorized to remove or cause to be removed to a place of safety any unattended vehicle illegally left standing upon any highway in a position or under circumstances as to obstruct the normal movement of traffic.”

— Idaho Code § 49-662(3) — 2 cases

State v. Brumfield, 42 P.3d 706 (Idaho Ct. App. 2001). “Additionally, I.C. § 49-662(3) gives authority to police officers to remove vehicles to the nearest garage or other place of safety in four circumstances not applicable to this case.”

Olguin v. City of Burley, 810 P.2d 255 (Idaho 1991). “§ 49-692(3) [now I.C. § 49-662(3)]. ... . Where a person has a right to control a vehicle, he must exercise ordinary care and not permit another to use it in circumstances where he knows or should foreseeably know that such use may create an unreasonable risk of harm to others.”

— Idaho Code § 49-662(3)(c) — 4 cases

State v. Weaver, 900 P.2d 196 (Idaho 1995). “SILAK, Justice, specially concurring: I concur in the Court's opinion, and write only concerning the argument made by the state at the hearing that the impoundment and subsequent search of Pearl Weaver's vehicle were authorized by I.C. § 49-662(3)(c). This statute authorizes…”

State v. Smith (Idaho 2025). “Idaho Code section 49-662 grants police officers the authority to remove vehicles to the nearest garage or other place of safety in four circumstances.”

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