Concerns about vehicles parked for long periods in the state-owned car park near the border crossing point have been raised for years, but until recently, the Transport Administration has had no legal means of towing the vehicles. The legal basis for towing was established by an amendment to the Road Traffic Act that entered into force on 1 January 2025.
This spring, the Transport Administration began identifying and notifying owners of vehicles with Estonian registration plates that have been parked in the Koidula car park for a long period of time. In addition to notices left on such vehicles, the Transport Administration has also notified owners by email. The Transport Administration sent a letter to the authorities of other countries (Latvia, Finland, Sweden, Ukraine, Germany, England, Spain), regarding cars registered in those countries, asking them to inform owners of the parking violations and the risk of towing.
In addition, in August of this year, warnings were posted on the windscreens of vehicles parked illegally in the forest and in the car park, stating that if the owner did not remove their car, it would be towed to a secure storage facility.
The vehicles will initially be towed to a secure storage facility located 44 km from the Koidula border crossing point. If the owner shows up and wants to get the vehicle back, they have to pay for the towing and storage costs. If the owner does not come forward, the Transport Administration will sell the vehicle at a public auction.
The towing is scheduled to begin at the end of September. The exact number of vehicles to be towed will become clear during the process.
The total cost of the works is up to 29,999 euros plus VAT.
The agreement is valid until the end of 2026.
