How To Locate An Impounded Car

When a car is towed and impounded, the owner wants to locate it, pay the necessary fees and return it to daily use as quickly as possible. Below are the steps to follow for vehicle owners who must recover their towed car.

Search the State Impound Database

Many states, cities and towns now offer online databases to assist vehicle owners in locating their impounded vehicles. To search, individuals must know either the vehicle’s VIN number, license plate tag, or state impound form number. If none of this information is available, the vehicle owner must appear in person at a Registry of Motor Vehicles office and present picture identification to find out their car’s location.

Call the Police Station

The next course of action is to contact the authorities that authorized the car impound. The car may have been stored at a local tow yard or the police station’s own storage lot, but before obtaining the vehicle, fees must be paid and forms filed. Normally, all impound release paperwork must be processed through the police administration office, and owners must call to begin the process.

Know the Fee Requirements

Vehicle owners will be required to pay multiple fees. First, the owner must pay for the cost of the original vehicle tow, which could be over $100. If the tow truck driver required the assistance of a locksmith, that charge will be added on as well. Each tow yard or police station will charge a set fee for every day the vehicle was kept, beginning from the day of original tow to the day of pickup. Storage fees are almost always calculated by day, not hour. Even if a car is released from impound early in the morning, the owner is required to pay that day’s fee. Lastly, police stations usually tack on an administrative fee for all paperwork processed. Before visiting the station, owners should make sure they know the total due and the method of payment accepted. Most impound fees are not payable by any method other than cash.

Identification Requirements 

Only registered owners are allowed to retrieve vehicles from impound, except in the case of extenuating circumstances, such as the owner being jailed. To prove ownership, a picture identification is required. In certain territories, if the owners are unavailable to retrieve the car, they must sign and have notarized a statement giving another individual the right. Since each reason for impound differs, discuss any other paperwork requirements before attempting to get the car released. If the vehicle was impounded due to lack of insurance, the police may require insurance proof before authorizing impound release.

Follow these guidelines when attempting to locate an impounded car and reclaim your property. Always trust Stauffer’s Towing for factual information on all facets of the towing industry, including advice on how to locate your impounded car.