Delaware County Vehicle Impound Guide
Impound Cost Calculator
Calculate how much it will cost to retrieve your vehicle from the impound lot in Delaware County, Ohio.
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What comes next after a Ohio DUI arrest
SR-22 insurance
A DUI in Ohio often means an SR-22 must be filed before your license is reinstated.
Ohio SR-22 guideDUI classes
Courts and the DMV usually require an approved alcohol education program in Ohio.
DUI school guideIgnition interlock
Depending on your offense, Ohio may require an interlock device to drive again.
Interlock guideThe First 48 Hours
After a OVI arrest in Delaware County, your vehicle is likely towed to an impound lot. Storage fees accumulate daily, making time your biggest enemy.
Retrieval Timeline
- 1
Vehicle Towed
Usually within 30 minutes of your arrest.
- 2
Lot Notification
Fees and admin processing start immediately upon arrival.
- 3
Daily Accrual
Fees start at $22.0/day in Delaware County.
- 4
Final Notice
After 30 days, the lot may begin the auction process.
Required Documents
- Valid Photo ID (License or State ID)
- Vehicle Registration or Title
- Current Proof of Insurance
- Full Payment (Cash/Credit)
- Release Authorization (if not owner)
Owner Not Present?
If the registered owner is in custody, you will need a notarized power of attorney or specific written authorization and a copy of their ID to retrieve the vehicle.
Lot Details & Map
Current storage facility information for Delaware County. Verify your vehicle's location before traveling.
Lot Information Pending
Contact Delaware County local dispatch for specific towing lot assignments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Heavy Metal Towing & Recovery, the primary impound contractor at 320 London Road, releases vehicles Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with no after-hours processing at all; anything after close gets pushed to the next business day. Since a large share of OVI arrests happen late Friday or Saturday night, the car typically can't move until Monday morning, guaranteeing at least three days of storage, roughly $66, before retrieval even starts.
Use the Website, Not the Phone
Rather than calling dispatch, who are usually handling roadside emergencies, Heavy Metal wants an online "Impound Inquiry" form submitted first: the vehicle's year, make, model, the owner's exact name, and a preferred contact method. Submitting it right at 9 a.m. Monday keeps the request inside the company's one-hour response window and avoids getting hit with a fourth day of storage while waiting. Calling first instead of using the form routinely causes delays.
Cash or an Approved Check, Nothing Else
Payment has to be cash or a company check pre-approved by management; a credit card shows up at the counter and gets turned away. Base fees run $144 for the tow, $22 a day in storage, and $25 administrative, though military members, first responders, and Golden Buckeye cardholders can claim a 10% or 5% discount if they ask for it up front.
The Police Release Comes First
The tow yard won't release a vehicle on proof of ownership alone. The registered owner has to go to the arresting agency's headquarters first, Delaware Police at 70 North Union Street, for example, with ID, insurance, and registration, to get the official release paperwork before heading to the lot.
If the Owner Is Still in Jail
Only the registered owner can retrieve the vehicle in person. If they're incarcerated, a third party needs a notarized letter or a power of attorney specifically naming them as an authorized agent, including their driver's license number, before the lot will release the car.
Need Help Beyond Impound?
If you're dealing with a recent arrest, here are immediate resources for release and legal help: