651CUnlawful detention of vehicles

#### 651C Unlawful detention of vehicles 651C Unlawful detention of vehicles > > (1) A person who takes possession of a vehicle that has been left on premises must not— > > > > > (a) fail to release the vehicle on demand to any person having a lawful right to the possession or control of the vehicle, or > > > > > (b) demand any payment for or in relation to the release of the vehicle. > > > > Maximum penalty—20 penalty units. > > > (2) This section does not give any person a right to take possession of a vehicle if the person does not have that right apart from this section, but does not affect any right to detain a vehicle that a person may have— > > > > > (a) under the [Public Spaces (Unattended Property) Act 2021](/view/html/inforce/current/act-2021-038) or any other Act, or > > > > > (b) under a lien, or > > > > > (c) under the terms of a court order, or > > > > > (d) under the terms of an agreement or arrangement in force with respect to the vehicle. > > > (3) The remedy at common law of distress damage feasant is abolished to the extent to which it would otherwise be available in relation to a vehicle left on premises. > > **s 651C:** Ins 1998 No 62, Sch 1 \[2\]. Am 2024 No 82, Sch 4.5\[2\].