Aiken County Vehicle Impound Guide
Impound Cost Calculator
Calculate how much it will cost to retrieve your vehicle from Eastside Automotive & Towing LLC in Aiken County, South Carolina.
*Estimated fees shown for Aiken County. Actual fees may vary.
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The First 48 Hours
After a DUI arrest in Aiken 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 state averages in Aiken 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 Aiken County. Verify your vehicle's location before traveling.
The Impound “Poverty Trap”
Many people can't afford to get their car out immediately, but waiting only makes it worse.
Here's the vicious cycle:
Can't afford the first 3 days of storage + admin fees
Wait a week to save money → fees double
Can't get to work without car → lose income
Wait 2 weeks → fees triple or quadruple
After 30 days → Car may be auctioned by the lot
What You Can Do
- • Borrow money from family/friends (pay them back later, cheaper than daily fees)
- • Use a credit card (even with interest, cheaper than impound fees)
- • Sell non-essential items quickly
- • Ask your employer for an advance
- • Check if your auto insurance covers towing/storage (some policies do)
title: Getting Your Car Back After a DUI Arrest in Aiken
Your Vehicle After a DUI Arrest
A DUI arrest under South Carolina law triggers an immediate towing process that removes your vehicle from the roadway to a secured storage lot in Aiken County. When law enforcement officers arrest a driver for operating a motor vehicle under the influence, they cannot leave the vehicle on the shoulder of the highway. It presents a safety hazard. Consequently, the arresting agency calls a towing service on a rotational list to impound the vehicle.
This process occurs quickly. The officer on the scene selects the next available towing provider from the South Carolina Highway Patrol rotation list. Once the tow truck hooks your vehicle, you lose access to all personal property inside until you complete the release process.
Where Is Your Car?
Your vehicle is stored at a private impound lot designated by the arresting officer. For arrests in this area, the primary rotational tow provider is Eastside Automotive & Towing LLC.
Eastside Automotive & Towing LLC
- Address: 195 Beaufort St, Aiken, SC 29801
- Phone: 803-766-7986
- Hours: Tuesday through Friday, 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM (Closed Saturday, Sunday, and Monday)
How to Find Your Vehicle
To locate your vehicle, complete the following steps:
- Review Your Arrest Paperwork: The arresting officer must provide a towing receipt or impound form. This document lists the name and contact information of the towing company.
- Contact the Detention Center: If you do not have your paperwork, call the Aiken Sheriff's Office Detention Center at 803-642-2040. Staff can verify which tow company took your vehicle.
- Reference Your Booking Details: Having your booking information ready speeds up the process when calling the detention center or the tow company.
What You Need to Retrieve Your Vehicle
Towing companies operate under strict state regulations. They will not release a vehicle without verified documentation.
Required Documents
You must present the following original documents at the lot:
- Valid Driver's License: You must show a current, physical driver's license. If the officer confiscated your license under South Carolina's implied consent law, you cannot drive.
- Proof of Ownership: Present the vehicle title or a current registration certificate in your name.
- Proof of Insurance: You must show an active auto insurance policy card for the vehicle.
- Payment: Prepare to pay all towing and storage fees.
If You Don't Have a Valid License
If your license is suspended, you cannot drive the vehicle off the lot. You must bring a licensed driver to retrieve it.
The licensed driver must present:
- A valid driver's license.
- A signed, notarized letter from you authorizing them to retrieve the vehicle.
- The vehicle registration or title showing your ownership.
Costs & Fees in Aiken
Towing and storage costs accumulate immediately. Every day your vehicle remains in the impound lot increases your financial liability.
Because Eastside Automotive & Towing LLC is closed Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, weekend arrests present a major logistical challenge. If the highway patrol arrests you on a Friday night, your vehicle will remain in storage for at least three days. You must pay storage fees for every calendar day, including the days the lot is closed to the public.
Payment
Call Eastside Automotive & Towing LLC at 803-766-7986 before visiting the lot. Verify the exact dollar amount owed and confirm what payment methods they accept. Many lots require cash or certified funds.
Timeline
Act Immediately
You must act as soon as you are released from the detention center. Storage fees start the moment the tow truck hooks your vehicle. Delaying retrieval by even one day increases your bill.
After 30 Days
Do not leave your vehicle unclaimed. Under South Carolina law, towing operators can initiate a foreclosure lien sale on vehicles left abandoned for more than 30 days. The towing company can sell your vehicle at a public auction to recover their unpaid towing and storage costs.
If You Can't Afford the Fees
If you cannot pay the retrieval fees, you face the permanent loss of your vehicle.
- Contact Family or Friends: Secure a personal loan to pay the fees before they compound further.
- Inquire About Payment Options: Ask the impound lot manager if they offer any payment arrangements, though most require full payment before release.
After Retrieval
Before you drive away from the impound lot, perform a thorough inspection of your vehicle.
- Inspect the Exterior and Interior: Check for scratch marks, dents, or mechanical issues that were not present before the arrest.
- Take Photos: Document the condition of your vehicle from multiple angles while still on the lot.
- Report Damage Immediately: If you discover damage, demand a written incident report from the lot manager before leaving the premises.
Need Help Beyond Impound?
If you're dealing with a recent arrest, here are immediate resources for release and legal help: