Stark County Vehicle Impound Guide

Getting Your Car Back After DUI Arrest in Stark County

After a DUI arrest in Stark County, one of your most immediate concerns is likely retrieving your vehicle. Ohio law allows law enforcement to impound vehicles following a DUI (OVI) arrest, especially if the driver is impaired, has a suspended license, or poses a safety risk. This guide provides the steps you need to take to locate, retrieve, and protect your rights regarding your impounded vehicle in Stark County.

Where Is Your Car?

The location of your vehicle depends on which law enforcement agency made the arrest. Arrests by the Canton Police Department often result in vehicles being towed to the Canton City Impound Lot. Arrests by the Stark County Sheriff's Office, the Ohio State Highway Patrol, or smaller township police departments may use private towing companies. Here are some common impound locations:

• Canton City Impound Lot: 2436 30th Street NE, Canton, OH 44705. Phone: (330) 489-3186.
• Central Ohio Recovery Inc DBA Tracer Towing: 5375 Navarre Rd SW, Canton, OH 44706. Phone: N/A.
• Oscars Towing: 4265 Strausser St NW, North Canton, OH 44720. Phone: N/A.
• Patriot Towing & Recovery: 672 Earl Rd NW, Massillon, OH 44647. Phone: (330) 830-4099. (A primary preferred provider for the Stark County Sheriff, OSHP, and Massillon PD)

How to Find Your Vehicle

• Check your arrest paperwork: The arresting officer should have provided documentation indicating the name and contact information for the towing company.
• Call the Stark County Sheriff's Office non-emergency line: If you were arrested by the Sheriff's Office or are unsure where your vehicle was towed, call (330) 430-3800.
• Reference your booking number: Provide your booking number to help the impound lot or law enforcement agency quickly locate your vehicle information.

What You Need to Retrieve Your Vehicle

To retrieve your vehicle, you will generally need the following:

Required Documents

• Valid photo identification: This is typically a driver's license or state-issued ID.
• Vehicle registration or title: Proof of ownership is essential.
• Proof of insurance: The vehicle must be currently insured.
• Payment for all applicable fees: Be prepared to cover towing, storage, and any administrative fees.

If You Don't Have a Valid License

Because an OVI arrest triggers an immediate Administrative License Suspension (ALS), you cannot legally drive the car off the lot yourself. If your license is suspended, you have the following options:

• Have a licensed friend or family member retrieve it: The easiest solution is to have someone with a valid driver's license and insurance retrieve the vehicle for you.
• They need: Their valid driver's license, a signed authorization letter from you (if you are the registered owner), and the vehicle's title or registration. The registered owner must be physically present with their own valid government-issued ID to retrieve the vehicle.

Costs & Fees in Stark County

The costs associated with retrieving your vehicle can add up quickly. Be prepared for the following:

• Towing Fee: Up to $144.00 base rate. (PUCO regulated threshold for standard passenger vehicles)
• Daily Storage Rate: Up to $24.00 per day. (Regulated by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio - PUCO - for standard passenger vehicles under 10,001 lbs)
• Admin/Processing Fee: Up to $25.00 administrative fee, plus a mandatory 2.95% processing fee appended to all digital transactions via Paymentus at the Canton City Impound Lot.

IMPORTANT: Storage fees accumulate every day. Retrieve your vehicle as quickly as possible to minimize expenses. Also, under Canton municipal code, you must pay in full all outstanding fines assessed for previous parking tickets, previous storage penalties, or traffic citations linked to the vehicle's registration before the vehicle is legally cleared for release.

Payment

Call the impound lot in advance to confirm accepted payment methods. Note that the Canton City Impound Lot strictly prohibits the acceptance of cash, money orders, or physical checks at the lot itself. If you wish to pay at the point of retrieval, you must possess a smartphone capable of scanning a QR code to access the Paymentus digital portal. If you only have physical cash, you must first travel to the Canton Police Records Room at City Hall (218 Cleveland Ave. SW, Canton, OH 44702) to process a cash or money order payment, secure a physical release authorization form, and then travel to the physical impound lot to present the paperwork.

Timeline

Act Immediately

Storage fees start accruing the moment your vehicle is towed. Every day that passes increases the amount you will owe. The Canton Police Records Room issues official release papers, but the vehicle owner is granted only until the close of the next business day to physically remove the vehicle from the impound lot. If you fail to remove the vehicle by this strict deadline, new daily storage charges are instantaneously appended to the account.

After 30 Days

In Ohio, if a vehicle remains unclaimed for a certain period (often around 30 days), the impound lot can initiate a lien sale to recover the outstanding fees. Do not let it reach this point.

If You Can't Afford the Fees

If you are struggling to afford the impound fees, consider the following:

• Contact a family member or friend: Ask for assistance in covering the costs.
• Ask the impound lot if a payment plan is available: Some impound lots may offer payment plans, but this is not guaranteed.
• Consult with a DUI attorney: In some cases, an attorney may be able to negotiate or challenge the fees. Browse licensed bail bondsmen serving Stark County in our bail bond directory.

After Retrieval

• Inspect the vehicle immediately before leaving the lot: Carefully examine the vehicle for any damage that may have occurred while in impound.
• Document any damage with photos: Take clear photos of any scratches, dents, or other damage.
• Report any damage to the lot manager in writing before you drive away: Obtain a written acknowledgment of your damage report from the lot manager.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I get my personal belongings out of my car before retrieving it? You may be able to retrieve essential personal items from the vehicle before paying the full impound fees. Contact the impound lot to inquire about their specific procedures.
• What happens if I don't retrieve my vehicle? If you fail to retrieve your vehicle within a certain timeframe, the impound lot can sell it to recover the outstanding fees. You will lose ownership of the vehicle.
• Is there a way to challenge the impound in Stark County? Under Ohio law, a vehicle immobilized due to specific, enhanced OVI statutes (such as driving under an existing OVI suspension or multiple repeat offenses) can be subject to mandatory 30-day holds, 90-day holds, or complete criminal forfeiture. Challenges to the lawfulness of the tow or the immobilization order must be filed within the municipal court holding jurisdiction over the criminal case (e.g., Canton Municipal Court) prior to the execution of the forfeiture or the expiration of the extended hold period.