Mom had a duty to know if the son was a legally licensed driver before loaning the car. That's why the "I didn't know his license was suspended" routine would not work.
Mom had a "DUTY"? A duty to whom?
Let's assume that Mom did the responsible thing (and only to protect herself) by asking (& with all due respect to the O.P.... I'm just posing a hypothetical...) but the O P lied and said "Mom, my license is not suspended".
Are you suggetsing that because Stringbean lied, she now only has two choices:
1. She should suffer the loss of the use of her car for the full 30 day impound period, OR. . .
2. She reports her car as being stolen thereby implicating Stringbean for a crime in addition to what he's facing?
Guess what Stringbean, according to Jim, and for your sake, I hope your Mom mas another mode of transportation and about $1200 to $1500 to fork out at the end of the 30 days!!!!
In reality and with it being Monday you probably already have your answer but I'll still post the correct vehicle code section which is 14602.6 with an apology for not posting the correct information from the start. As for 14602.5 which I posted above, it still is applicable although I should point out that it specifically states that "the court MAY...". I'll say that I have come across a few people recently who have had a car impounded yet were not penalized by the court under
Obviously, the option that were posted by Jim is available however, it might be the least practical!
14602.6 (b) The registered and legal owner of a vehicle that is removed and seized under subdivision (a) or their agents shall be provided the opportunity for a storage hearing to determine the validity of, or consider any mitigating circumstances attendant to, the storage, in accordance with Section 22852.
(c) Any period in which a vehicle is subjected to storage under this section shall be included as part of the period of impoundment ordered by the court under subdivision (a) of Section 14602.5.
(d) (1) An impounding agency shall release a vehicle to the
registered owner or his or her agent prior to the end of 30 days'
impoundment under any of the following circumstances:
(A) When the vehicle is a stolen vehicle.
(B) When the vehicle is subject to bailment and is driven by an unlicensed employee of a business establishment, including a parking service or repair garage.
(C) When the license of the driver was suspended or revoked for an offense other than those included in Article 2 (commencing with Section 13200) of Chapter 2 of Division 6 or Article 3 (commencing with Section 13350) of Chapter 2 of Division 6.
(D) When the vehicle was seized under this section for an offense that does not authorize the seizure of the vehicle.
(E) When the driver reinstates his or her driver's license or acquires a driver's license and proper insurance.
(2) No vehicle shall be released pursuant to this subdivision without presentation of the registered owner's or agent's currently valid driver's license to operate the vehicle and proof of current vehicle registration, or upon order of a court.
(e) The registered owner or his or her agent is responsible for all towing and storage charges related to the impoundment, and any administrative charges authorized under Section 22850.5.
Lastly, the "mitigating circumstances" referenced in 14602.6(b) could be something like (your Mom saying): "that's the only car I have and I need it to get to work". I know for a fact that has worked before.