Chesterfield County Vehicle Impound Guide

Getting Your Car Back After DUI Arrest in Chesterfield County

A DUI arrest in Chesterfield County is a stressful experience, and one of the first practical challenges you'll face is retrieving your vehicle. South Carolina law dictates that vehicles are often impounded following a DUI arrest, adding to the financial and logistical burden. This guide will walk you through the steps to locate, retrieve, and minimize the costs associated with getting your car back.

Where Is Your Car?

After a DUI arrest, your vehicle is typically towed to a designated impound lot. Because arrests are frequently executed by the South Carolina Highway Patrol or the Chesterfield County Sheriff's Office, towing assignments operate on a rotational basis.

Determining the precise location of your vehicle is the first step. You'll need to contact the arresting agency.

How to Find Your Vehicle

• Check your arrest paperwork: The arresting officer should have provided documentation that includes the name of the towing company and potentially its contact information.
• Call the Chesterfield County Sheriff's Office non-emergency line: If you can't locate the paperwork or the information is missing, call the Chesterfield County Sheriff's Office non-emergency line at 843-623-2101. They should be able to tell you which towing company was called to the scene.
• Reference your booking number: Have your booking number ready when you call. This will help the Sheriff's Office quickly locate your case and provide the correct information. You can also check the Chesterfield County Detention Center bookings online.

What You Need to Retrieve Your Vehicle

Once you've located your vehicle, contact the impound lot to confirm their specific requirements for release. However, generally, you'll need the following:

Required Documents

• Valid driver's license: The person retrieving the vehicle must have a valid driver's license.
• Vehicle registration or title: Proof of ownership is essential. Bring the vehicle's registration or title.
• Proof of insurance: You'll need to show proof of current insurance coverage for the vehicle.
• Payment for fees: Be prepared to pay towing and storage fees.

If You Don't Have a Valid License

If your license is suspended or you don't have a valid license for any other reason, you can still have someone else retrieve the vehicle for you.

• Have a licensed friend or family member retrieve it: A licensed driver can pick up the vehicle on your behalf.
• They need:
• Their valid driver's license
• A signed authorization letter from you, granting them permission to retrieve the vehicle
• The vehicle's title or registration in your name

Costs & Fees in Chesterfield County

The South Carolina Department of Public Safety (SCDPS) enforces strict rate maximums for all rotational wreckers. For a standard Class A (passenger vehicle) tow, the maximum a company can charge is a $272.00 flat fee, with daily storage strictly capped at $47.00 per day. Special operations—such as winching a vehicle out of a ditch or righting a flipped car—are capped at $162.00 per hour, billed precisely in half-hour increments. Tow operators are legally required to keep a printed copy of this approved fee schedule inside the cab of the wrecker at all times. If a vendor in Chesterfield County attempts to charge in excess of these published state rates, the vehicle owner should pay the fee to secure the vehicle, demand an itemized receipt, and file an immediate grievance with SCHP Troop 4 headquarters to initiate disciplinary action against the vendor.

IMPORTANT: Storage fees accumulate every day, including weekends. Retrieve your vehicle as quickly as possible to minimize expenses.

Payment

Call the impound lot before you go to confirm which payment methods they accept. Most accept cash and major credit cards, but it's always best to verify. Burch's Towing & Recovery accepts Mastercard, Visa, Debit, and Cash.

Timeline

Act Immediately

Storage fees begin accruing after the first 24 hours of impoundment. The sooner you retrieve your vehicle, the less you'll pay. Arriving at 4:30 PM on a Friday is critical; failing to retrieve the vehicle before the weekend closure will result in the accrual of Saturday and Sunday storage fees, plus potential weekend release surcharges.

After 30 Days

In South Carolina, if a vehicle remains unclaimed for an extended period (typically 30 days), the impound lot can initiate a lien sale to recover their costs. This means they can legally sell your vehicle. Do everything possible to avoid this.

If You Can't Afford the Fees

The costs associated with towing and storage can be substantial. Here are some options if you're struggling to afford the fees:

• Contact a family member or friend to help cover costs: Borrowing money from someone you know can be a quick solution.
• Ask the impound lot if a payment plan is available: Some impound lots may offer payment plans, but this is not guaranteed. It's worth asking.
• Consult with a DUI attorney: In some cases, a DUI attorney may be able to negotiate fees or challenge the impoundment if there were any irregularities.

After Retrieval

Before driving away with your vehicle, take the following steps:

• Inspect the vehicle immediately before leaving the lot: Carefully examine the vehicle for any damage that may have occurred while it was in the impound lot's care.
• Document any damage with photos: Take detailed photos of any scratches, dents, or other damage.
• Report any damage to the lot manager in writing before you drive away: Notify the impound lot manager of the damage in writing and obtain a copy of the report for your records. This is crucial for filing a claim later.

Frequently Asked Questions

**1. Can I get my personal belongings out of the car before I retrieve it?*Yes, you typically can retrieve personal belongings from the vehicle even if you can't afford to pay the full impound fees immediately. Contact the impound lot to arrange a time to collect your belongings. They may require you to inventory the items and sign a release.

**2. What happens if the impound lot is closed when I try to pick up my car during their regular business hours?*South Carolina wrecker regulations provide consumer protections. You cannot be charged a storage fee for days you are unable to retrieve your vehicle due to an action or omission by the wrecker service, including scenarios where the business office is closed during mandated rotation hours (8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday). Document your attempts to contact the lot and formally contest any storage fees applied to those specific days, citing SC Regulation 14B NCAC 07A.0116.

**3. Where is the Chesterfield County Magistrate Court?*The Chesterfield County Magistrate Court is located at 200 West Main Street, Chesterfield, SC 29709.