What is the term used when police take possession of a motor vehicle for safekeeping?

The term "impounding" is used when police take possession of a motor vehicle for safekeeping. This process often occurs when a vehicle is left unattended in a hazardous position, is involved in a crime, or is deemed unfit for operation. Impounding serves to protect the vehicle from theft or further damage, as well as to ensure public safety.

When a vehicle is impounded, law enforcement typically follows specific procedures, including documenting the condition and contents of the vehicle, which may involve conducting an inventory. However, the primary action being described is the act of taking the vehicle into custody for safekeeping, which directly aligns with the definition of impounding. Other terms like arrest and seizure refer to different legal actions, and while inventory is related to the procedures that follow an impounding, it does not specifically refer to the act of taking the vehicle into custody.