Pima County Vehicle Impound Guide

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title: Getting Your Car Back After DUI Arrest in Pima County meta_description: Factual guide on how to retrieve your impounded vehicle after a DUI arrest in Tucson and surrounding local jurisdictions.

Getting Your Car Back After DUI Arrest in Pima County

Your Vehicle After a DUI Arrest

Under Arizona Revised Statutes (A.R.S.) § 28-3511, law enforcement officers must impound a vehicle under specific DUI circumstances. This mandatory action applies to arrests for Extreme DUI, Aggravated DUI, or instances where the driver's license is suspended or revoked.

The physical removal of your vehicle happens immediately at the scene of the arrest. A private towing company contracted by the arresting agency will transport your car to a secure storage lot. You are responsible for all costs associated with this process.

The arresting agency is the Tucson Police Department, the Pima Sheriff's Department, or the Arizona Department of Public Safety. The specific agency that initiated your arrest dictates the administrative process you must follow to secure your vehicle's release.

Where Is Your Car?

Your vehicle will not be held at the jail or the courthouse. It is stored at a private tow yard. To locate your car, you must identify which agency initiated the arrest.

How to Find Your Vehicle

• Check your arrest paperwork: The citation or booking sheet lists the name of the towing company.
• Call the arresting agency: If you do not have this paperwork, call the non-emergency line for the arresting agency. For arrests by the local Sheriff, contact the administrative line. For arrests within Tucson city limits, contact the Tucson Police Department.
• Provide identification details: Give the administrative staff your full name, the date of the arrest, and your vehicle's license plate or Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). If you were booked into the adult detention complex, referencing your booking number can help staff locate the record.

What You Need to Retrieve Your Vehicle

You cannot walk into the tow yard and drive your car away. You must present specific documentation to prove ownership and legal authority to operate the vehicle.

Required Documents

• Valid Driver's License: You must present a current, unexpired license. If your license was suspended under A.R.S. § 28-1321 (Arizona's implied consent law) or A.R.S. § 28-1385, you cannot drive the vehicle off the lot yourself.
• Vehicle Registration or Title: The document must list your name as the registered owner. If you recently purchased the vehicle, a signed-off title or temporary registration is required.
• Proof of Insurance: You must show a valid auto insurance card or digital policy document that covers the impounded vehicle.
• Payment for Fees: Tow yards require full payment before releasing any vehicle.

If You Don't Have a Valid License

If your driving privileges are suspended, you must bring a licensed driver with you to the lot.

The licensed driver must present their valid driver's license. You must also provide a signed, notarized letter of authorization allowing this specific person to retrieve the vehicle on your behalf, along with the vehicle's title or registration.

Costs & Fees

Towing and storage are not government-funded. They are commercial services with strictly enforced fees.

Towing fees in Arizona run $150 to $300. Daily storage fees range from $25 to $50 per day.

These fees accumulate every single day the vehicle remains in the lot. This includes weekends and holidays. Retrieve your vehicle as quickly as possible to prevent the bill from exceeding the vehicle's actual value. Under A.R.S. § 28-3512, certain administrative fees may also apply depending on whether the vehicle was subject to a mandatory statutory hold.

Payment

Call the impound lot in advance to confirm accepted payment methods. Most lots accept cash, major credit cards, or cashier's checks. Many do not accept personal checks.

Timeline

Act Immediately

Storage fees start accruing the exact hour your vehicle is towed. A delay of even two or three days can add over $150 to your total bill.

After 30 Days

If a vehicle remains unclaimed, Arizona law allows the towing company to initiate a possessory lien sale under A.R.S. § 28-3514. This process allows the tow company to sell your vehicle at auction to satisfy the unpaid towing and storage fees. Do not let your case reach this point.

If You Can't Afford the Fees

Unpaid fees will result in the permanent loss of your vehicle.

Contact a family member or friend to help cover the immediate costs. Every day you wait makes the total bill more difficult to pay. Ask the impound lot manager if they offer a payment plan, though many private lots require payment in full before release.

After Retrieval

Before you drive the vehicle off the lot, conduct a thorough inspection. Document the physical condition of the exterior and interior with photos and video.

If you discover any new damage or missing property, report it to the lot manager in writing immediately. Do not leave the premises until you have filed a formal written report with the facility.