Imagine this: you’re driving in the city, making your way back home after a long day of work. You’re still quite a ways away, but nature calls. Thinking it won’t harm anyone, you quickly park your vehicle someplace you’re not supposed to and rush to the nearest restroom you can find. By the time you get back, your vehicle is gone.
You decide to call the cops because you’re worried it might have been stolen, only for them to tell you that your car is at the impound lot.
And now you’re here, wondering what to do if your car gets impounded.
The exact processes you need to follow to get your vehicle out of impound might seem daunting at first. Fortunately, there are steps you can follow to help you get your bearings.
So what exactly can you do to get your car out of impound?
Unfortunately, there’s no quick and easy way to get your car out of impound. Follow these simple steps to help you familiarize yourself with the various things you’ll need to do to get your vehicle home.
Find out where your vehicle has been impounded by calling a non-emergency police number and asking about the status of your vehicle. Provide a description of your vehicle, license plate information, and VIN. They should be able to point you in the right direction.
After learning where your vehicle is being held, contact the impound lot and ask about fees, documentation, and other requirements you’ll need to fulfill.
Ask about the impound lot’s release terms and confirm why your vehicle was impounded, how long you must wait, how much impoundment will cost, where and how you should pay, and where to pick your vehicle up after it’s released.
Once the vehicle is ready for release, you can pay the impounding fees. Just be sure to bring proof of registration and proper identification, so the impounding authorities can confirm that you own the vehicle.
You’ll need to resolve any outstanding violations, such as unpaid parking tickets, fines, and expired registration fees.
After paying the impound fees, retrieve your vehicle from the impound lot and drive it home.
The exact cost of getting your car out of impound varies, depending on why it was impounded, where it is being impounded, and how long it has been impounded for. Because of these factors, it’s difficult to estimate how much you’ll need to pay. In general, the amount could fall anywhere between $100 and $1,000.
Here’s a list of some of the most common reasons why vehicles are towed and impounded.
If your vehicle is suspected of being used in a crime, the authorities have the right to impound it. A vehicle may be taken if it was involved in a hit-and-run incident or was present at the scene of a crime.
Failing to renew your vehicle’s registration might lead to it being towed away by local authorities. This is done to enforce compliance with state laws and to ensure that only registered vehicles are on the road.
If your vehicle has been parked beyond the allotted time or local authorities consider it abandoned, it can get towed to the nearest impound lot. Failing to move a vehicle from certain properties after an extended time is considered abandonment in many states.
Unlawfully parking in the wrong place is one of the most common reasons why vehicles get towed in the first place. It’s important to park in areas that explicitly allow parking to prevent inconveniencing other drivers and pedestrians.
Accumulating unpaid parking tickets and fines can lead to impoundment. This is to encourage drivers to pay tickets and fines on time.
Unfortunately, you’ll need to present a valid certificate of registration to get your vehicle out of impound. If your registration is missing, you’ll need to get a replacement. This can be done by going to the DMV. The exact process of getting a replacement certificate varies from state to state, so it’s best to contact your local DMV and ask for their requirements.
If you have been driving an unregistered vehicle or one with an expired registration, you won’t be able to retrieve your vehicle from impound until its registration is renewed.
The exact amount of time a vehicle can be impounded depends on where it’s being impounded and the severity of the crime committed.
On average, you can expect your vehicle to be held for approximately 28 days. In some cases, they might hold your vehicle for a shorter time. It’s in your best interest to contact the impound lot directly.
If a vehicle is impounded for too long, you’ll have to pay for storage fees until it is retrieved or until the unit is auctioned off. If this happens, you will lose ownership of your vehicle and it’s unlikely that you’ll get it back.
Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultation with a professional mechanic. The accuracy and timeliness of the information may change from the time of publication.