Few moments are more frustrating than discovering your vehicle has been towed after a DUI or DWI arrest. Beyond dealing with the criminal charges, you may suddenly face towing fees, storage costs, transportation challenges, and uncertainty about when you can get your car back. The good news is that, in most situations, impounded vehicles can be recovered once certain legal and administrative requirements have been met.
The exact process varies by state and even by municipality, but understanding the common steps can help you avoid unnecessary delays and expenses. If you’ve been arrested for impaired driving, consulting a Minneapolis DWI lawyer at Keller Criminal Defense Attorneys can help you understand both the criminal case and the procedures affecting your vehicle.
Why Was Your Car Impounded?
After a DUI arrest, law enforcement officers often arrange for the vehicle to be towed if there is no sober, licensed driver available to take possession of it. In many jurisdictions, towing is required by department policy whenever a driver is taken into custody for impaired driving.
Impoundment also protects the vehicle while preventing an impaired driver from returning to the road immediately after the arrest. If the vehicle is blocking traffic, creating a hazard, or parked in an unsafe location, towing is often the safest solution for everyone involved.
Although the impoundment may feel like an additional punishment, it is generally considered an administrative procedure separate from the criminal case.
Find Out Where Your Vehicle Was Taken
The first step is determining the location of your vehicle.
In many cases, the arresting officer will provide paperwork identifying the towing company or impound lot. If that information is unavailable, you can usually contact the law enforcement agency that handled the arrest to obtain the name and phone number of the storage facility.
Once you know where the vehicle is located, contact the impound lot before visiting. Staff can explain their business hours, payment methods, documentation requirements, and whether any administrative holds prevent immediate release.
Making this phone call first can save considerable time and prevent an unnecessary trip.
Understand the Release Requirements
Retrieving an impounded vehicle usually requires more than simply paying the towing bill. Most facilities require proof that you have the legal right to take possession of the vehicle.
Depending on local requirements, you may need to provide:
- A valid government-issued photo ID
- Proof of vehicle ownership or registration
- Current proof of insurance
- Payment for towing and storage fees
- Any required release paperwork from law enforcement or another government agency
Some jurisdictions also require proof that the driver retrieving the vehicle has a valid driver’s license. If your license has already been suspended because of the DUI arrest, you may need someone else with a valid license to drive the vehicle away.
Be Aware of Storage Fees
Many people are surprised by how quickly storage costs accumulate.
Most impound facilities charge a daily storage fee beginning shortly after the vehicle arrives. Even if the daily charge seems modest, waiting several days or weeks before retrieving the vehicle can significantly increase the total amount owed.
For that reason, it is usually in your financial interest to begin the retrieval process as soon as possible. Even if you are still addressing the criminal charges, recovering the vehicle promptly may help reduce unnecessary expenses.
Why Some Vehicles Cannot Be Released Immediately
Although many vehicles are available for release within a short period, others remain impounded because of additional legal requirements.
For example, a vehicle may be held longer if:
- State law requires a mandatory impound period following certain DUI arrests.
- The vehicle is being preserved as evidence.
- Ownership is disputed.
- Required documentation has not been provided.
- Administrative holds remain in place.
If one of these situations applies, the impound facility should explain what must happen before the vehicle can be released.
What If Someone Else Owns the Vehicle?
Not every driver owns the vehicle involved in the arrest. Company vehicles, rental cars, borrowed automobiles, and family-owned vehicles present additional considerations.
In many cases, the registered owner has the right to recover the vehicle even if someone else was driving when the arrest occurred. However, the owner may still need to provide identification, proof of ownership, and any documents required by local authorities.
If the vehicle belongs to an employer or rental company, additional contractual obligations or company policies may affect how the vehicle is recovered.
Can You Retrieve Personal Belongings?
People often leave valuable items inside an impounded vehicle, including phones, laptops, work equipment, medications, or child safety seats.
Many impound facilities allow owners to retrieve personal property before the vehicle itself is released. However, procedures vary, and some facilities require identification or police authorization before permitting access.
If you need important medication or essential work equipment, notify the impound facility as soon as possible. They can explain whether those items may be retrieved immediately.
How Does the DUI Case Affect Vehicle Retrieval?
The criminal case and the vehicle impoundment are related, but they usually follow separate procedures.
Even if your DUI charge has not yet been resolved, your vehicle may still be eligible for release once the required documentation and fees have been satisfied. However, if investigators need to preserve the vehicle as evidence, additional delays may occur.
Similarly, if your driver’s license has been suspended, retrieving the vehicle does not necessarily mean you may legally drive it. You should fully understand your driving privileges before operating any vehicle following a DUI arrest.
Avoid Common Mistakes
Many delays occur because vehicle owners arrive at the impound lot without the required paperwork or assume someone else can retrieve the vehicle without authorization.
Before visiting the facility, verify exactly what documents are required and whether appointments are necessary. If another person will pick up the vehicle on your behalf, ask whether written authorization is needed.
It is also wise to keep every receipt related to the towing and impoundment process. Maintaining organized records may prove helpful if questions arise regarding fees or if reimbursement becomes an issue later in the legal process.
Why Speaking With an Attorney Can Help
A DUI arrest affects much more than your ability to drive. Criminal charges, administrative license proceedings, insurance consequences, and vehicle impoundment often occur simultaneously, creating a confusing legal situation.
Keller Criminal Defense Attorneys help individuals understand the legal process from the earliest stages of a DUI case. In addition to defending against the criminal charges, an attorney can explain how local laws affect vehicle impoundment, license suspension, and other related issues.
Legal guidance is especially valuable if your vehicle is being held longer than expected, ownership questions arise, or you believe the impoundment was improper. An attorney can evaluate your circumstances, explain your rights, and help you understand the available options while your criminal case moves forward.
Recovering an impounded vehicle is often one of the first practical challenges following a DUI arrest. By contacting the impound facility promptly, gathering the required documentation, understanding any legal restrictions, and seeking qualified legal advice when necessary, you can reduce unnecessary delays and focus on addressing the broader legal issues that accompany a DUI charge.
Matthew Wilde
Matthew Wilde is an automotive journalist with experience contributing to leading publications. He focuses on delivering clear, well-researched analysis of automotive industry news and vehicles. Growing up surrounded by a variety of cars, Matthew developed a strong foundation in automotive technology and design. His work emphasizes accuracy and depth, aimed at informing both enthusiasts and industry professionals with straightforward, precise reporting.
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