Getting Your Car Back After It's Been Impounded
What happens immediately after impound
When your vehicle is impounded in South Carolina, it goes to a towing facility or impound lot, usually run by a private tow company or the police department. You will not be able to drive it away. The tow company or police will send you a notice — by mail, email, or phone — that includes the lot location, your vehicle's inventory (what was inside it), the tow and storage fees, and a deadline to retrieve it. That deadline is typically 10 to 30 days, depending on why the vehicle was impounded.
The longer your car sits, the more you owe. Storage fees usually run $15 to $50 per day. Towing fees are typically $150 to $300. If your vehicle is impounded for a traffic violation or unpaid tickets, you may also need to pay the fine or ticket amount before release. If it was impounded because of a lien (a creditor's claim on the vehicle), you will need to settle that debt first.
Key Takeaways
- You have 10 to 30 days from the impound notice to retrieve your vehicle, or the lot may sell it or scrap it.
- Storage and towing fees start immediately and add up quickly — typically $15 to $50 per day in storage alone.
- You must pay all fees, fines, and any outstanding debts (like liens) before the lot will release the vehicle to you.
- If you cannot pay, you can request a hearing to dispute the impound or ask about payment plans.
- After 30 to 90 days of non-payment, the lot may sell your vehicle at auction or scrap it for parts.
How to find your impounded vehicle
If you do not know where your car is, start by calling the police non-emergency line for the city or county where it was towed. They can tell you which facility has it and provide the lot's phone number. You can also contact the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) if the impound involved a state police stop.
Once you have the lot's contact information, call and confirm your vehicle is there. Ask for the exact amount owed — towing fee, storage fees to date, and any other charges. Ask whether the lot accepts payment by phone, in person, or online. Some lots require payment before you even visit to inspect the vehicle.
What you need to pay and in what order
The impound lot will not release your vehicle until all charges are paid in full. The order matters because some debts must be settled before others. Start with the towing and storage fees owed to the lot itself — this is non-negotiable. Next, pay any traffic fines or citations that led to the impound. If there is a lien on the vehicle (from a bank, credit company, or government agency), that creditor must be paid or must agree to release the lien before the lot will let the car go.
If your vehicle was impounded for an unpaid loan, the lender may take possession instead of returning it to you. If it was impounded for unpaid taxes or child support, the government agency holding the lien will need to sign off on release. Call the lot and ask them to clarify which debts apply to your vehicle — they should have this information in their file.
Requesting a hearing to dispute the impound
If you believe your vehicle was impounded wrongly — for example, the tow was not legal, or you were not given proper notice — you can request a hearing. The impound notice should include instructions for requesting one. You typically have 10 to 15 days from the date of impound to file. Contact the police department or the tow company's office to ask for the hearing request form.
At the hearing, you can argue that the impound violated your rights or that the charges are incorrect. A judge or hearing officer will decide whether to order the vehicle released without payment or to uphold the impound. Even if you lose the hearing, you still have the right to pay the fees and retrieve your vehicle. A hearing does not stop the clock on storage fees — they keep adding up while you wait.
Payment plans and hardship options
If you cannot pay the full amount at once, contact the impound lot directly and ask whether they offer payment plans. Some lots will work with you on a schedule, especially if you can pay a portion upfront. Be honest about what you can afford and ask for their policy in writing.
If the impound was due to unpaid fines or tickets, you may be able to set up a payment plan with the court or the city instead. Call the court clerk's office or the municipal court for the jurisdiction where the ticket was issued. Explain your situation and ask about installment options. Some courts will agree to a plan if you show you are making a good-faith effort to pay.
If the vehicle has a lien and you cannot pay the debt, contact the creditor holding the lien. Explain that your car is impounded and ask whether they will negotiate a settlement or payment plan. Some creditors will work with you rather than let the vehicle be sold at auction.
What happens if you do not retrieve your vehicle
If you do not pay and do not retrieve your vehicle within the deadline (usually 30 to 90 days), the impound lot may sell it at auction or scrap it for parts. The lot keeps the proceeds to cover towing, storage, and auction costs. If anything is left over, it goes to the city or county, not to you. You will lose the vehicle entirely and may still owe the original debt (like a lien or fine) even after the car is gone.
Before the lot sells your vehicle, they must send you a final notice. Read it carefully — it will tell you the exact date of the sale and your last chance to retrieve the car. If you cannot pay by then, you have lost the vehicle.
Getting your personal items from the vehicle
The impound lot should have inventoried anything left inside your car when it was towed. You can usually retrieve personal items (documents, phone chargers, clothing, tools) without paying the full impound fee, though some lots charge a small retrieval fee. Call ahead and ask what items are available and whether you can pick them up. Some lots will mail items to you if you cannot visit in person.
If something valuable is missing from the inventory, report it to the lot in writing and keep a copy. The lot may be liable for items that were there when the vehicle arrived. Do not wait — report missing items within a few days of the impound.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get my car back if I still owe money on it to a bank?
Not until the bank releases its lien. The bank has a legal claim on the vehicle as collateral for the loan. Contact your lender and explain the impound. Ask whether they will release the lien if you pay the storage fees, or whether you must pay off the entire loan first. Some lenders will negotiate.
What if the tow company lost or damaged my car?
Document the damage with photos and get a written estimate for repairs. Send a written complaint to the tow company and keep a copy. You may have a claim against their insurance. If they refuse to pay, you can file a small claims lawsuit in magistrate court. Bring photos, the estimate, and any written communication with the lot.
Do I have to pay storage fees that pile up while I am disputing the impound?
Storage fees continue to accrue while a hearing is pending. If you win the hearing and the impound is ruled illegal, you may be able to recover those fees. If you lose, you owe them. Ask the hearing officer at the time of your hearing whether you can get a waiver or credit for storage fees if you prevail.
Can the impound lot refuse to give me my car if I pay everything owed?
No. Once all fees, fines, and liens are paid, the lot must release the vehicle to you. If they refuse, contact the police or the city attorney's office and file a complaint. You can also file a small claims lawsuit to recover the vehicle or its value.
What if I do not have a driver's license or proof of ownership?
Bring whatever identification you have. The lot will likely require proof that you own the vehicle — a title, registration, or loan documents. If you cannot find these, contact your insurance company or the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles; they can provide a copy of your registration. Call the lot first and ask what documents they will accept.