Fayette County Vehicle Impound Guide

Getting Your Car Back After DUI Arrest in Fayette County

After a DUI arrest in Fayette County, Georgia, one of the first logistical hurdles you'll face is retrieving your impounded vehicle. This process can be confusing and costly, but understanding the steps involved will help you navigate it efficiently. Your vehicle is impounded to prevent further potential offenses and ensure public safety. Here's what you need to know to get your car back.

Where Is Your Car?

The arresting officer should inform you where your vehicle will be towed. If you weren't given this information, there are several ways to locate your vehicle in Fayette County. Because Fayette County encompasses multiple municipalities with distinct law enforcement agencies, the destination of an impounded vehicle depends entirely on the arresting agency and their active vendor contracts. The primary arresting agencies operating within this jurisdiction include the Fayette County Sheriff's Office, the Fayetteville Police Department, the Peachtree City Police Department, and the Tyrone Police Department.

How to Find Your Vehicle

• Check your arrest paperwork: The paperwork from your arrest should list the name and contact information for the towing company that has your vehicle.
• Call the Fayette County Sheriff's Office non-emergency line: If you cannot locate your paperwork, contact the Fayette County Sheriff's Office at their non-emergency dispatch line to inquire about the location of your vehicle.
• Reference your booking number: When you call, have your booking number ready. This will help them locate your records more efficiently. You can find booking information through the Fayette County Jail Inmate Search.

What You Need to Retrieve Your Vehicle

Once you've located your vehicle, you'll need to gather the necessary documents and payment to retrieve it. Impound facilities bear significant liability regarding the unauthorized release of a vehicle. Consequently, they demand stringent proof of ownership.

Required Documents

• Valid driver's license: You will need to present a valid, unexpired driver's license. If your license was confiscated during the arrest, you'll need to provide an alternative state-issued photo identification or a passport.
• Vehicle registration or title: You must provide proof of ownership of the vehicle.
• Proof of insurance: You'll need to show current proof of insurance for the vehicle.
• Payment for fees: Be prepared to pay all applicable towing and storage fees.

If You Don't Have a Valid License

If you don't have a valid driver's license, you can still have someone else retrieve the vehicle for you.

• Have a licensed friend or family member retrieve it: A licensed driver can pick up the vehicle on your behalf.
• They need:
• Their valid driver's license.
• A signed authorization letter from you, notarized if possible.
• A copy of the vehicle's title or registration in your name.

If the registered owner is incarcerated, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to physically appear at the impound lot, the facility requires a legally binding, notarized power-of-attorney or a notarized authorization letter. This letter must explicitly name the authorized representative, include the vehicle's VIN and make/model, and be accompanied by a photocopy of the registered owner's identification. Furthermore, if the vehicle is subject to a police hold for evidentiary purposes, the owner must physically report to the arresting law enforcement agency during normal business hours to obtain a written release form before the towing company will permit access to the vehicle.

Costs & Fees in Fayette County

The financial exposure associated with vehicle impoundment in Georgia is strictly governed by the Georgia Department of Public Safety (DPS) Maximum Rate Tariff No. 5. This regulatory framework caps the baseline towing fee for a standard passenger vehicle (under 10,000 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) at $228.00. Furthermore, the daily storage rate is capped at $33.00 per day. Crucially, the tariff dictates that no storage fees may be assessed for the first 24 hours following the vehicle's removal. Additionally, impound facilities are legally prohibited from charging storage fees for days when the facility is closed to the public and unavailable for vehicle redemption, such as Sundays or major holidays.

• Towing fee: The maximum base towing fee for passenger vehicles under 10,000 lbs is $228.00.
• Daily storage: The maximum daily storage rate is $33.00.
• Admin/Processing Fee: $26.00 initial notification fee; up to $91.00 maximum cumulative

Call the impound lot in advance to confirm the exact amounts you'll owe.

IMPORTANT: Storage fees accumulate every day. Retrieve your vehicle as quickly as possible to minimize costs.

Payment methods vary by impound lot.

• Call the impound lot in advance to confirm accepted payment methods (cash, credit card, money order).
• Be aware that some lots may only accept cash.

Timeline

Time is of the essence when retrieving your vehicle.

Act Immediately

Storage fees start accruing 24 hours after your vehicle is towed. Every day that passes adds to the total cost.

After 30 Days

If the vehicle remains unclaimed, the impound lot can initiate a lien sale to recover their costs. This means they can legally sell your vehicle. To avoid this, contact the impound lot as soon as possible and make arrangements for retrieval.

If You Can't Afford the Fees

If you're struggling to afford the towing and storage fees, consider these options:

• Contact a family member or friend: Ask for assistance to cover the costs.
• Ask about a payment plan: Some impound lots may offer payment plans, allowing you to pay the fees in installments.
• Tow Hearings: If a vehicle owner believes their vehicle was towed illegally or in violation of local ordinances, they maintain the right to request a formal tow hearing. In Fayette County, this petition must be filed in the Magistrate Court of Fayette County. The filing must occur swiftly, typically within ten days of the notice of impoundment, to halt the foreclosure of the towing lien and the subsequent public auction of the vehicle under the Georgia Abandoned Motor Vehicle Act. The petitioner must pay the requisite court filing fees unless they qualify for indigent status.

After Retrieval

Before leaving the impound lot, take these precautions:

• Inspect the vehicle: Carefully inspect the vehicle for any damage that may have occurred while it was in the impound lot's care.
• Document any damage: Take photos of any damage you find.
• Report any damage: Immediately report any damage to the lot manager in writing before you drive away. This will help you file a claim for compensation if necessary.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How long do I have to get my car out of impound in Fayette County before it's sold? Typically, the impound lot can begin the process of selling your vehicle after 30 days of impoundment if you haven't claimed it.
2. What if I can't afford to get my car out of impound in Fayette County? Explore options like borrowing money from family or friends, asking the impound lot about payment plans, or consulting with a DUI attorney to see if fees can be negotiated.
3. Where is the Fayette County Jail located? The Fayette County Jail is located at 145 Johnson Avenue, Fayetteville, GA 30214.