Towing Issues: Impound forfiture/release, lien laws, lien holders

Question
First off, I do not at the moment have a license.

Last night in San Francisco, My buddy was following our friends in a car ahead of us to find our way out of the city.  As luck has it they turned down a one way.  The immediately stopped as did we(We hadn't even 2 car length before pulling over).  A cop pulled us over.  To cut to the chase, my friend had just moved back into California and had no idea his license had been suspended.  So...they took my car.  They wouldn't let the other guy with a current license take the car for me which I understand. It's the law.

My problem now is the Officer told me I could go down with a friend with a valid license, pay my fines, and get my car once the hall of justice opened the next day.

I showed up and they told me that it wasn't possible to get my car without having my license reinstated.  Either mine or the guy driving the car.  Why wouldn't they release my car without personally having my license?  Or my friend (who is neither on the insurance or registration)?

Also, what happens if they lein sale my car with a balance still owed on it?

Answer
Well, California has a license suspension impound law where it goes away for 30 days...  Sounds like they might be cutting you some slack here but hard to say if that is what they are really doing...

As to the "NEED" for you to have your drivers license reinstated, well think about the "MONEY PART OF IT" as the states all are trying to balance the budgets and collect as much "old money" they are owed..

Now as to the lien sale issue, well letters go out to the "owner of the vehicle" and any and all "lien holders"...
And California has lien laws which also are based on the value of the vehicle.

I can almost bet that the finance company or who ever will redeem the vehicle before it goes for sale.

Hope this helps a bit.