Spartanburg County Vehicle Impound Guide

Getting Your Car Back After DUI Arrest in Spartanburg County

Being arrested for DUI in Spartanburg County, South Carolina, is a stressful experience, and one of the first logistical hurdles you'll face is retrieving your vehicle. After a DUI arrest, law enforcement typically impounds the vehicle for public safety and evidentiary reasons. Understanding the process of locating, claiming, and paying for your impounded vehicle is crucial to minimizing expenses and avoiding further complications. This guide provides immediate, practical steps to help you navigate this process in Spartanburg County.

Where Is Your Car?

Unlike some jurisdictions, Spartanburg County does not operate a centralized municipal impound lot. Instead, the Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office (SCSO) and the South Carolina Highway Patrol (SCHP) utilize a "Wrecker Rotation List," as governed by South Carolina Code of Regulations 38-600 and Spartanburg County Ordinance O-17-36. This means the specific towing company and impound lot holding your vehicle depends on the location of your arrest and the rotation schedule.

How to Find Your Vehicle

Locating your vehicle requires immediate action. Here’s how to find out where it was towed:

• Check your arrest paperwork: The arresting officer should have provided you with a tow slip indicating the name of the towing company and potentially the address of the impound lot. This is the quickest way to find your vehicle.
• Call the Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office non-emergency line: If you don't have the tow slip, contact the SCSO's non-emergency line at 864-503-4500. Under SC Code 56-5-5635 and local ordinance, any towing company removing a vehicle without the owner's consent must verbally report the tow to the Sheriff within one hour, providing the vehicle's exact location and claim procedure.
• Reference your booking number: When you call the Sheriff's Office, provide your booking number (if you have it) to help them locate your vehicle information more efficiently.

What You Need to Retrieve Your Vehicle

Once you've located your vehicle, gathering the necessary documents and preparing for payment is essential for a smooth retrieval process.

Required Documents

You will generally need the following documents to retrieve your vehicle from any impound lot in Spartanburg County:

• Valid driver's license: The person retrieving the vehicle must have a valid driver's license.
• Vehicle registration or title: You must provide proof of ownership, such as the vehicle's registration or title. Copies are usually not accepted.
• Proof of insurance: You must show proof that the vehicle is currently insured.
• Payment for fees: Be prepared to pay all applicable towing and storage fees.

If You Don't Have a Valid License

If your license is suspended due to the DUI arrest, you can still retrieve your vehicle by having someone else pick it up for you. They will need:

• Their valid driver's license.
• A signed authorization letter from you: This letter should clearly state that you authorize them to retrieve the vehicle on your behalf.
• Vehicle title or registration: They will still need to provide proof of ownership.

Costs & Fees in Spartanburg County

The costs associated with vehicle impoundment can quickly add up. Understanding these fees is crucial for budgeting and planning.

Typical towing fees in South Carolina run between $150 and $300. Daily storage fees usually range from $25 to $50 per day. However, it's important to note that these fees can vary depending on the specific towing company and impound lot. According to available research, the maximum daily storage rate for a Class A wrecker in Spartanburg County is $47.00 per day, and the flat tow fee is capped at $272.00. If special operations like vehicle extraction are required, an additional fee of $162.00 per hour may apply.

IMPORTANT: Storage fees accumulate every day. The longer your vehicle remains in impound, the more expensive it will become to retrieve it.

Payment

Contact the impound lot in advance to confirm the accepted methods of payment. Some lots may accept cash, credit cards, or money orders, while others may have more limited options. Cash is often preferred by independent lots.

Timeline

Time is of the essence when retrieving your vehicle from impound.

Act Immediately

Storage fees begin accruing almost immediately. Spartanburg County Ordinance O-17-36 states that storage fees will not begin until 12 hours after the motor vehicle has entered into the business' storage lot. If an arrest occurs at 2:00 AM on a Saturday morning, the defendant's family or proxy has until 2:00 PM that same day to legally retrieve the vehicle before the $47 daily storage fee begins to accrue. Activating a proxy immediately upon learning of the arrest is financially imperative to exploit this 12-hour grace window.

After 30 Days

In South Carolina, if a vehicle remains unclaimed for an extended period (typically 30 days), the impound lot has the right to initiate a lien sale to recover their fees. This means they can sell your vehicle to cover the outstanding towing and storage costs. Do everything possible to retrieve your vehicle before it reaches this point.

If You Can't Afford the Fees

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

• 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 or installment options.
• Consult with a DUI attorney: An attorney may be able to negotiate fees or challenge the impoundment if there were irregularities in the process.

After Retrieval

Before driving your vehicle away from the impound lot, take the following precautions:

• Inspect the vehicle immediately: Carefully examine the vehicle for any damage that may have occurred while it was 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 signed acknowledgment of your report from the lot manager. This will be crucial if you need to file a claim for damages later.

By following these steps, you can navigate the process of retrieving your vehicle after a DUI arrest in Spartanburg County efficiently and minimize potential financial burdens.

Frequently Asked Questions

**1. How long do I have to retrieve my car before the impound lot can sell it in Spartanburg County?*While the exact timeframe can vary, impound lots in South Carolina generally initiate a lien sale after about 30 days of the vehicle remaining unclaimed. Contact the specific impound lot holding your vehicle to confirm their policy.

**2. What if I can't find the tow slip from the arresting officer in Spartanburg County?*If you've lost the tow slip, immediately call the Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office non-emergency line at 864-503-4500. They can help you locate your vehicle based on your name and date of arrest.

**3. Can I get my personal belongings out of the car before I pay to have it released in Spartanburg County?*You can request access to your vehicle to retrieve personal belongings. Contact the impound lot to arrange a time. Be prepared to show identification and proof of ownership. They may require you to inventory your belongings with a staff member present.