Cleveland County Vehicle Impound Guide

Your Vehicle After a DUI Arrest

Under North Carolina General Statute § 20-16.5, an arrest for driving while impaired triggers an immediate, civil 30-day revocation of your driver's license. When law enforcement officers arrest a motorist for this offense, they do not leave the vehicle on the roadside. The vehicle is seized and towed to a secure lot. This action is taken to clear the public right-of-way and secure the property. The process is governed by strict state administrative rules.

Where Is Your Car?

Arresting officers from the Shelby Police Department, the Sheriff's Office, or the North Carolina State Highway Patrol use a rotating list of licensed towing operators. The specific company that took your vehicle depends on which operator was next on the dispatch rotation at the time of your arrest.

How to Find Your Vehicle

• Check your arrest paperwork: The arresting officer must complete a vehicle towing report. This document lists the name, address, and contact information of the towing company.
• Call the Sheriff's Office non-emergency dispatch line: If you are held pretrial, your release will be processed through the Sheriff's Office Detention Center. If the paperwork is missing or illegible, contact the detention center staff or call the non-emergency dispatch line.
• Reference your booking number: Provide your full name, the date of the arrest, and your vehicle's license plate or Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to the operator.

What You Need to Retrieve Your Vehicle

Towing operators cannot legally release a vehicle to just anyone who walks onto the lot. The administrative release process and towing operator requirements are governed by North Carolina Administrative Code 14B NCAC 07A .0116.

Required Documents

• A valid, government-issued photo identification card.
• Proof of ownership, which must be the vehicle's physical title or a current registration card.
• Proof of active liability insurance coverage for the vehicle.
• Payment in full for all accrued towing and storage fees.

If You Don't Have a Valid License

Because your license is subject to an immediate 30-day civil revocation under G.S. 20-16.5, you cannot drive the vehicle off the lot yourself. You must bring a licensed driver with you to operate the vehicle.

If you cannot go to the lot personally, you can authorize a representative to retrieve it. This representative must present their own valid driver's license, a notarized letter of authorization signed by you, and the vehicle's original title or registration card.

Costs & Fees

Standard towing fees in North Carolina range from $150 to $300 for a passenger vehicle. Daily storage rates range from $25 to $50 per day. Under North Carolina House Bill 1037 and House Bill 577, nonconsensual towing operators are subject to strict consumer protection rules:

• They must accept cash, debit cards, and credit cards for payment.
• Any payment processing fee they charge is capped at 3% of the total transaction amount.
• Operators cannot charge storage fees for days when their administrative office is closed to the public.
• Storage fees cannot begin to accrue until at least one full business day has elapsed since the vehicle was first available for recovery.

Storage fees accumulate daily. Retrieve your vehicle as quickly as possible to prevent the bill from escalating. Call the lot in advance to confirm their exact accepted payment methods.

Timeline

Action must be taken immediately following your release from detention. Storage fees start accumulating the calendar day your vehicle is towed, subject to the single-day grace period mandated by state law.

Act Immediately

Every 24-hour cycle adds to the total balance owed. If you are arrested on a Friday night, the administrative offices of many towing companies remain closed over the weekend. This means you cannot retrieve the vehicle until Monday morning even though physical towing operations run 24/7.

After 30 Days

Under North Carolina General Statute § 20-28.3, if a vehicle remains unclaimed in a storage lot for 30 days, the towing operator is legally permitted to initiate a landlord/tenant or mechanics lien sale. This process allows the company to sell your vehicle at public auction to satisfy the unpaid towing and storage debt.

If You Can't Afford the Fees

Unpaid impound balances can quickly exceed the fair market value of the vehicle. If you lack the immediate funds, contact a family member or friend to secure financial assistance. Some operators may offer short-term payment arrangements, though they are not statutorily required to do so.

After Retrieval

Walk around the vehicle and perform a complete physical inspection before signing any release paperwork or leaving the storage lot. Take clear, high-resolution photographs of all four sides of the vehicle, the wheels, and the interior. If you discover new body damage or missing personal items, report them immediately to the lot manager in writing. Do not drive the vehicle off the property until the damage has been documented and signed by a lot representative.