How to Get Your Car Back After It's Been Impounded

What happens when your car is impounded

When a vehicle is impounded in South Carolina, it goes to a towing company's lot or a police facility, and you cannot retrieve it until you pay towing and storage fees and resolve whatever caused the impound in the first place. The impound itself is not a fine — it is a hold on your property. You are responsible for the cost of getting it there and keeping it there, which starts accumulating immediately and grows each day the car sits.

The reason for impound matters. If your car was towed for a parking violation, you need to pay the tow fee and storage. If it was impounded because of an unpaid traffic ticket, a suspended license, or a criminal investigation, you have additional steps before release is even possible. If it was seized as evidence in a crime, the police may hold it for months.

Key Takeaways

• Contact the towing company or police impound lot within 24 hours to learn the exact reason for impound, the total fees owed, and what documents you need to bring.
• Towing fees typically range from $150 to $300, and storage fees accumulate daily — often $25 to $50 per day depending on the lot.
• If your license is suspended or there is an active warrant, you cannot retrieve the car until that issue is resolved through the court or DMV.
• You can authorize someone else to pick up the vehicle if you provide written permission and they bring proof of your identity and theirs.
• If you believe the impound was illegal, you have the right to request a hearing, but you must act within a specific timeframe set by the towing company's notice.

Finding out where your car is and why it was impounded

Your first step is to find the towing company or police facility holding your vehicle. If you were not present when it was towed, you may not know which company took it. Call the police non-emergency line for the city or county where the car was parked — they can tell you which tow service was contracted and provide a phone number. If the car was towed from private property, the property owner or manager can tell you which company they use.

When you call the tow lot, have your license plate number or vehicle identification number (VIN) ready. Ask for the specific reason the car was impounded, the total amount owed in towing and storage fees, what documents you need to bring to retrieve it, and whether there are any holds preventing release. Write down the name of the person you spoke with and the date and time of the call — this protects you if there is a dispute later.

If the car was impounded by police as evidence in a criminal case, the tow lot cannot release it without a police release form. You will need to contact the police department's evidence unit or the detective assigned to the case. This process can take weeks or months depending on the investigation.

Understanding towing and storage fees

Towing fees in South Carolina are not set by law — each company charges what they choose, but most range from $150 to $300 for the initial tow. Storage fees accumulate daily and typically run $25 to $50 per day, though some lots charge more. A car impounded for a week can easily cost $300 to $500 total. The longer you wait, the more you owe.

Some tow lots accept payment plans, though this is not may provide. When you call, ask whether they will let you pay half now and half when you pick up the car, or whether they require full payment before release. A few lots accept credit cards; others take cash only. If you cannot pay the full amount immediately, ask what your options are rather than assuming you are stuck.

If the impound was due to a parking violation, you may also owe a parking fine to the city or county. This is separate from the towing fee. You can sometimes pay the parking fine online or by phone to the city, but the tow lot will not release the car until both the fine and the tow fees are paid.

Resolving the underlying reason for impound

If your license was suspended when the car was impounded, you cannot retrieve it until your license is reinstated. Contact the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles to find out why it was suspended — common reasons include unpaid traffic fines, failure to pay child support, or a DUI conviction. Once you resolve the underlying issue (pay the fine, complete a required program, or satisfy the court order), the DMV will reinstate your license. Bring proof of reinstatement to the tow lot.

If there is an active warrant for your arrest, the tow lot will not release the car to you. You must resolve the warrant through the court — either by turning yourself in, posting bail, or working with an attorney. Once the warrant is cleared, you can retrieve the vehicle.

If the car was impounded because of an unpaid traffic ticket, you can often pay the ticket online through the South Carolina court system or by phone to the court that issued it. Once paid, bring a receipt or confirmation number to the tow lot. Some lots will not release the car until they verify payment with the court, so ask what proof they need.

Retrieving your vehicle

Bring your driver's license, proof of vehicle ownership (the title or registration), and payment for all fees. Most tow lots require cash or a debit card; call ahead to confirm what they accept. If you are retrieving the car during business hours, the process usually takes 15 to 30 minutes. Many lots have limited hours — some close at 5 p.m. on weekdays and do not open on weekends, so plan accordingly.

If someone else is picking up the car on your behalf, you must provide written permission. The person retrieving it will need to bring proof of your identity (a photocopy of your driver's license), proof of their own identity, the written authorization from you, and payment. Some tow lots have a specific form for this; ask when you call.

Before you leave the lot, inspect the car for damage. Take photos if you see anything that was not there before impound. If the lot caused damage, report it immediately and get the name and contact information of the lot manager. You may be able to file a claim against the towing company's insurance.

Challenging an impound you believe was illegal

If you think your car was impounded without legal cause, you have the right to request a hearing. The towing company must provide you with written notice of the impound, including the reason, the date and time, and instructions for requesting a hearing. This notice is usually mailed to the address on your vehicle registration. Read it carefully — there is a deadline, often 10 to 30 days, to request the hearing.

Contact the towing company in writing (email or certified mail) and request a hearing. Include your vehicle information, the date of impound, and a brief explanation of why you believe it was illegal. The company will schedule a hearing, usually within two to three weeks. You can present evidence — photos, witness statements, proof that you paid a parking fine, or documentation that your license was valid at the time.

If you lose the hearing or miss the deadline to request one, your other option is to consult a lawyer. Some attorneys offer free consultations and can review whether the impound violated South Carolina law. If the tow lot acted illegally, you may be able to recover the towing and storage fees you paid.

What to do if you cannot afford to retrieve your car

If the fees are more than you can pay right now, contact the tow lot and explain your situation. Some companies will negotiate a payment plan or reduce fees if you can show financial hardship. This is not may provide, but it is worth asking.

If the car was impounded because of an unpaid fine or ticket, contact the court that issued it. Many courts offer payment plans for fines, and some will waive or reduce fines based on income. Paying the underlying fine may be cheaper than paying storage fees while you save up for the tow bill.

If the car is worth less than the towing and storage fees have become, you can choose to abandon it. Contact the tow lot and ask about their process for vehicle abandonment. The lot will eventually sell the car at auction to recover their fees, and you will not be responsible for additional charges. However, abandonment may affect your credit or result in a deficiency judgment if the auction price does not cover all fees.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long can a tow lot hold my car?

South Carolina law does not set a maximum hold period for tow lots. However, if you pay all fees and resolve any legal holds, the lot must release the car immediately. If the lot refuses to release a paid vehicle, contact a lawyer or file a complaint with the South Carolina Attorney General's office.

Can I get my belongings out of the car before I pay the tow fee?

Most tow lots will allow you to retrieve personal items from the car at no charge, even if you have not paid the towing fee yet. Call ahead and ask what their policy is. Bring a list of what you need so the process is quick.

What if the tow lot damaged my car?

Document the damage with photos and get the name of the lot manager. Send a written claim to the towing company within 30 days, including photos and an estimate of repair costs. The company's insurance may cover it. If they deny your claim, you can file a small claims lawsuit.

Do I have to pay the towing fee if I did not authorize the tow?

Yes. If the car was parked illegally or on private property without permission, the property owner or city has the legal right to have it towed, and you are responsible for the fee. The only exception is if the tow was done illegally — for example, if the tow company did not have a contract with the property owner or violated proper notice procedures.

Can the tow lot put a lien on my car?

Yes. If you do not pay towing and storage fees, the lot can file a lien against the vehicle title. This means you cannot sell the car or get a loan against it until the lien is paid. The lot can also sell the car at auction to recover the fees owed.