Highland County Vehicle Impound Guide

Highland County has no fixed impound lot — the Sheriff's Office and Hillsboro PD dispatch to whichever private towing contractor is next on the rotation. Finding out which one has a specific car means calling the arresting agency's dispatch directly rather than guessing at random tow yards.

Two People, One Trip — Or a Notarized Letter

An OVI arrest that results in a failed or refused chemical test triggers an immediate license suspension, which means the registered owner can't legally drive the car away even after showing up with every document in order. A second, licensed driver has to come along specifically to take the wheel; the owner still needs valid photo ID (a passport or state ID works if the license itself is gone) to prove identity and claim the vehicle. If the owner is still in custody, only an original notarized authorization naming a specific proxy works — photocopies and verbal permission are rejected everywhere.

A Repeat Offense or Property Damage Means Court First

For a repeat offense, a suspended-license violation, or a crash involving property damage, the arresting agency can place an investigative or immobilization hold on the vehicle — one the tow yard legally can't override regardless of payment. That requires a trip to Hillsboro Municipal Court or the arresting police department first to get a formal release order (a "Journal Entry"), sometimes with a civil bond or insurance documentation required, before the tow yard will even discuss release.

The Weekend Math

Because OVI arrests cluster on Friday and Saturday nights, a car towed at 11:30 p.m. Friday starts accruing storage for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday immediately — by Monday, a standard vehicle easily reaches roughly $235 in combined tow, storage, and admin fees. An after-hours release is legally available but comes with a gate fee up to $150, so it's worth doing the math on whether that fee actually saves money compared to just waiting until Monday.

The Drop Fee Can Save the Whole Headache

If a sober, licensed passenger is on scene and able to legally move the vehicle before the tow truck leaves with it, Ohio law requires the tow operator to offer release on the spot — for exactly half the standard rate, not free, but still a real savings over the full tow-plus-storage bill that follows once it actually leaves.

Don't Let It Sit Too Long

A vehicle unclaimed for 15 days can be declared a nuisance, triggering a certified notice and an extra $75 extended-storage fee. At 60 days unclaimed, the tow operator can petition the court for full legal title — permanently ending the owner's claim to the vehicle.