To find your impounded car, you need to act quickly and contact the police department in the city where the impound occurred. They hold the primary record of your vehicle's location. The process involves identifying the correct impounding agency, verifying your ownership, and then paying the required fees to release the vehicle.
The first and most critical step is to call the non-emergency line of the local police department or sheriff's office. Provide them with your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), license plate number, and the location where your car was last seen. They can tell you which towing company was used and often provide the direct contact information for the impound lot.
Many major cities have online databases where you can search for impounded vehicles using your license plate or VIN. For example, the Los Angeles Police Department and Chicago Police Department offer such search tools on their official websites. This can be the fastest way to get information outside of business hours.
Once you locate the lot, you must prove ownership and identity to retrieve the car. You will typically need:
- A valid driver’s license.
- Current vehicle registration.
- Proof of insurance.
Be prepared for costs, which can accumulate daily. Fees often include a tow charge, administrative fees, and daily storage. The table below outlines typical fee ranges based on reports from various municipal impound lots.
| Fee Type | Typical Cost Range | Notes |
|---|
| Tow Fee | $100 - $300 | Varies by distance and vehicle size. |
| Administrative Fee | $50 - $150 | Charged by the impounding agency. |
| Daily Storage Fee | $25 - $75 | Accrues every day, including weekends. |
| After-Hours Release | $50 - $100 | Additional fee for release outside standard business hours. |
| Gate Fee | $25 - $50 | A fee to open the lot gate for release. |
If your car was impounded due to expired registration or a suspended license, you must resolve those issues before release. Act fast, as lots can auction off unclaimed vehicles after a legally mandated holding period, which is often as short as 30 days.
