Chatham County Vehicle Impound Guide

The Savannah Police Department (SPD) Northwest Precinct at 602 E. Lathrop Ave., Savannah, GA, is the only facility authorized to issue the Vehicle Release Form after a DUI arrest. This is a critical first step to getting your car back.

Vehicle Impound After a DUI in Chatham County: What You Need to Know

Getting arrested for DUI in Chatham County involves more than just legal troubles; it also involves navigating the impoundment of your vehicle. Here's a breakdown of what to expect and how to get your car back as quickly and affordably as possible.

Primary Impound Facility

While the Savannah Police Department authorizes various towing companies, Sapp’s Wrecker Service is the primary contractor they use.

• Name: Sapp’s Wrecker Service
• Address: 176 Godley Rd, Port Wentworth, GA
• Hours: Dispatch/Access available 24 hours, 7 days a week.

Fees Associated with Impound

The costs of impound can add up quickly. Here's what you need to know:

• Tow Fee: Base tow is $257.50
• Daily Storage Fee: $46.35
• Administrative Fee: $87.55. This fee is triggered if you don't retrieve your vehicle within 72 hours of impound.
• After-Hours Fee: $128.75 (Likely if retrieving vehicle outside of normal business hours.) A defendant arrested on Friday at 11:00 p.m. will likely not bond out until Saturday morning. If they fail to navigate the Northwest Precinct (open) and the Tow Yard (open) by Monday night at 11:00 p.m., the $87.55 administrative fee automatically triggers.

A cumulative weekend cost, including base tow, 3 days of storage, the admin fee and the after-hours fee, can amount to $612.85.

Required Documents for Vehicle Release

To get your vehicle release form from the SPD Northwest Precinct, you will need the following:

• Valid Picture Identification
• Current Vehicle Registration or Title

Important Note: Insurance cards are not accepted as proof of ownership.

The "Glovebox Trap" and How to Avoid It

If your vehicle registration is in the glovebox of your impounded car, you face a catch-22. You need the registration to get the release form, but you can't access the car without the release form.

The Workaround: You’ll need to visit Sapp’s Wrecker Service, pay a "gate fee" or "personal property retrieval" fee to get the registration, then go to the Northwest Precinct to get the release form, and finally return to Sapp’s to retrieve your vehicle. This can take an entire business day.

Weekend/Holiday Retrieval Challenges

The SPD Northwest Precinct issues release forms from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. daily but has reduced hours on holidays (7:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.). If you are released from jail after the precinct closes, you won't be able to get your release form until the following morning. This guarantees an extra day of storage fees.

Abandonment and Auction

Vehicles not claimed within five weeks are processed for public auction through Liberty Auctions website or www.govdeals.com.

To get your release form, visit the Savannah Police Department Northwest Precinct at 602 E. Lathrop Ave., Savannah, GA, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.