Vehicles Seized From Motorists Because of License Violations

Six people caught twice driving without a proper license became the first in Los Angeles to have their vehicles forfeited under a new state law, City Atty. James K. Hahn said Thursday.

“While the city stands to get some revenue from this program, the primary purpose of this law is to enhance public safety,” Hahn said from a Van Nuys impound yard.

Hahn, Councilwoman Laura Chick, chairwoman of the council’s Public Safety Committee, and Cmdr. Art Lopez of the Los Angeles Police Department showed off four cars, a pickup truck and a motorcycle seized under the law written by Assemblyman Richard Katz, (D-Sylmar).

The law allows prosecutors to file charges against motorists caught driving without a valid license or driving if their license has been suspended or revoked. If convicted, they can be forced to forfeit their vehicles.