Immobilization

Immobilizing a vehicle means that a device called ‘The Club’ locks onto the steering wheel making the vehicle inoperable. Because every person’s driving record is unique, the reasons for immobilizing a vehicle vary in accordance with the Ohio Revised Code.

If you receive a traffic ticket and the police tow the vehicle, the first step toward getting the car back is to talk to the towing company to determine if the car is able to be immobilized and released. If it is able to be released, please come to the Toledo Municipal Clerk of Court’s counter on the first floor and request your court documents be sent to the Immobilization Office. A Clerk of Court employee will take your paperwork to the Immobilization Office. You should report to the Immobilization Office in the Probation Department (hours 8:30 a.m. to Noon, and 1:15 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday). The procedure from this point will depend solely on the nature of the charges and/or suspensions. If the judge finds that your vehicle will in fact be immobilized for a period of time, there is a mandatory $30.00 immobilization fee that must be paid in cash if you want to retrieve the vehicle and have it immobilized with a Club at a location of your choice. Clubs are put on vehicles at the towing yard the next business day by the respective police departments. Towing companies will not release a vehicle without the club on the vehicle or proper document stating the car may be released. The Immobilization Office phone number is (419) 245-1590.