DeKalb County Vehicle Impound Guide

The first and most immediate crisis facing a DUI defendant is the retrieval of their vehicle. In DeKalb County, this process is uniquely bifurcated into an administrative authorization phase and a physical retrieval phase. Unlike jurisdictions where a defendant can simply go to the tow lot to pay and drive away, DeKalb County requires a specific "Vehicle Release Form" that can only be obtained from a centralized police facility before the vehicle can be claimed from a private contractor.

Obtaining a Vehicle Release Form: DKPD Property & Evidence

The administrative bottleneck is the DeKalb County Police Department (DKPD) Property and Evidence Section, located at 3630 Camp Circle, Decatur, GA 30032. You must visit this office to prove ownership and obtain the release paperwork required by the private towing companies.

It's crucial to note the restricted operating hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The facility is completely closed on Wednesdays, weekends, and government holidays. This "Wednesday Blackout" can add approximately 48 hours of storage costs. A strict lunch closure is also enforced daily from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Required Documents for Vehicle Release

To secure a Vehicle Release Form, you'll need the following:

• Vehicle Release Form (obtained from DeKalb County Police Property & Evidence Section)
• Current, valid state-issued Driver's License, ID Card, US Military ID, or Passport
• Authorization of Release Letter (required if registered owner is not present, obtained from arresting officer or detective)

The registered owner must be present to obtain the release. If someone else needs to pick up the vehicle, they must get an "Authorization of Release Letter" from the arresting officer or detective.

DeKalb County Impound Lots

DeKalb County uses a precinct-based rotation system, so the location of your arrest determines which private company holds your vehicle. Here's a breakdown by precinct:

• North-Central Precinct (Chamblee, Doraville areas): Brown & Brown Wrecker Service, 3854 North Peachtree Road, Chamblee, GA 30341, (770) 457-3879.
• Tucker Precinct: S&W Towing, 2158 Tucker Industrial Road, Tucker, GA 30084, (770) 493-9083. S&W also handles all large vehicle tows (over six wheels) county-wide.
• East Precinct: Statewide Wrecker Service, 6995 Covington Hwy, Lithonia, GA 30058, (770) 322-9688.
• South Precinct: South DeKalb Transport & Storage, 7043 Rogers Lake Road, Lithonia, GA 30058, (404) 508-0246. Be sure to verify the exact fee breakdown before arrival, as there have been past consumer disputes regarding pricing and zoning charges.

Impound Fees

While recent county committee discussions have proposed raising impound fees to $175 and daily storage to $30, standard historic rates have hovered around $125 for the tow. The average retrieval cost in DeKalb County is approximately $165 and daily storage has been about $20.

Important: Storage charges should not accrue while a vehicle is held specifically for police processing (an "Impound Hold"). Document when you were notified of the release to contest fees.

Payment Methods

By law, tow operators must accept cash, money orders, or certified checks. Many also accept credit cards, but "cash only" policies may be a friction point.

To obtain a Vehicle Release Form, visit the DeKalb County Police Department (DKPD) Property and Evidence Section at 3630 Camp Circle, Decatur, GA 30032.