Colleton County Vehicle Impound Guide

Your Vehicle After a DUI Arrest

South Carolina Highway Patrol troopers and local sheriff's deputies enforce strict roadside protocols during a driving under the influence investigation. If an officer establishes probable cause and arrests a driver under South Carolina Code Section 56-5-2930, the vehicle cannot remain on the shoulder of the road. Law enforcement will not permit passengers to drive the vehicle unless they undergo roadside sobriety screening and receive explicit authorization from the arresting officer. Instead, the arresting agency initiates an impoundment process to clear the roadway.

The vehicle is towed to a private storage lot. This is executed through a standardized wrecker rotation system regulated by the South Carolina Department of Public Safety. The driver is transported to the local detention facility on Mable T. Willis Boulevard for booking and breath testing. Once the vehicle enters the private storage yard, the towing operator assumes legal custody of the property. Storage fees begin accruing immediately.

Where Is Your Car?

Locating a towed vehicle requires examining the administrative paperwork generated during the arrest. The arresting officer is legally required to document the vehicle's removal and the specific towing service utilized.

How to Find Your Vehicle

• Check your arrest paperwork: The officer must provide a physical copy of the towing receipt or the implied consent suspension notice. The name, address, and contact information of the private wrecker company are printed on this documentation.
• Call the Sheriff's Office non-emergency line: If the arrest paperwork is missing or illegible, contact the non-emergency dispatch line for the sheriff's department in Walterboro at 843-549-2211. Dispatchers log every rotation tow with the vehicle's license plate and vehicle identification number (VIN).
• Reference your booking number: When calling the dispatch line or visiting the detention center, provide your full name, date of arrest, and booking number to help staff locate the towing record.

What You Need to Retrieve Your Vehicle

Private towing companies in South Carolina operate under strict statutory frameworks regarding property release. Under South Carolina Code Section 56-5-5630, a storage lot will not release a vehicle to any individual who fails to present verified documentation of ownership and identity.

Required Documents

• Valid driver's license: You must present a current, unexpired physical license. If your driving privileges were suspended under South Carolina's implied consent law (SC Code Section 56-5-2950) for refusing a breath test or registering a BAC of 0.15% or higher, you cannot legally drive. You must bring a licensed driver with you to operate the vehicle.
• Vehicle registration or title: You must prove ownership. The lot will accept a physical copy of the vehicle registration or the certificate of title in your name. If the vehicle is a rental, you must present the rental agreement naming you as the authorized driver.
• Proof of insurance: You must present a valid, active auto insurance card or policy declaration page matching the vehicle's VIN.
• Payment for fees: The towing service will require full payment of all accrued charges before releasing the vehicle.

If You Don't Have a Valid License

• Designate a licensed driver: Arrange for a licensed friend or family member to accompany you to the impound lot.
• Provide written authorization: If you cannot physically attend the retrieval, the designated driver must present their valid driver's license, a notarized letter of authorization signed by you, and the vehicle's physical title or registration.

Costs & Fees for Vehicle Retrieval

Towing fees in South Carolina range from $150 to $300 for a standard light-duty vehicle tow. Daily storage fees range from $25 to $50 per day. These rates are determined by the private towing company and are not set by the court system.

IMPORTANT: Storage fees accumulate every day. Retrieve your vehicle as quickly as possible.

Payment

Call the impound lot in advance to confirm accepted payment methods. Most private wrecker services accept cash, credit cards, or money orders. Almost all private storage lots refuse personal or business checks. If you pay with a credit card, some facilities impose an additional processing fee.

Timeline

Act Immediately

Storage fees start accruing the moment your vehicle is towed. Every day costs more money. If your vehicle is towed on a Friday night, fees will accumulate over the weekend even if the administrative office of the towing yard is closed. You must contact the yard immediately to determine their weekend release policies.

After 30 Days

Under South Carolina Code Section 56-5-5630, the towing company must send a certified letter to the registered owner and any lienholders within 10 days of taking possession of the vehicle. If the vehicle remains unclaimed for 30 days after this notice is sent, the towing company has the statutory right to deem the vehicle abandoned. The company can then initiate a public lien sale to sell the vehicle and recover the unpaid towing and storage costs.

If You Can't Afford the Fees

Unpaid impound fees can quickly exceed the actual market value of the vehicle. If you do not have the financial resources to pay the immediate balance, you must take alternative steps.

• Contact a family member or friend: Seek immediate financial assistance to stop the daily accumulation of storage fees.
• Inquire about payment plans: Some private storage operators offer short-term payment arrangements, though they are not legally mandated to do so.

After Retrieval

Do not leave the storage yard without conducting a thorough inspection of your property. Private towing operators are liable for damage caused by negligent handling, but proving liability becomes significantly more difficult once the vehicle leaves the premises.

• Inspect the vehicle immediately: Walk around the entire exterior of the vehicle while still on the impound lot. Check the front bumper, undercarriage, and panels for scrape marks or structural damage caused by the tow truck's hook or flatbed.
• Document any damage with photos: Use your mobile device to take clear, high-resolution photographs of any new damage, ensuring the background of the impound yard is visible in the frame.
• Report any damage to the lot manager: Request a physical damage report form from the office manager. Document the damage in writing and have the manager sign the form before you drive the vehicle off the lot.