Bradley County Vehicle Impound Guide

Where your car ends up after a DUI in Bradley County depends on who arrested you. A Cleveland Police stop sends it to the department's Property and Evidence Unit at 100 Church Street NE, and that unit is by appointment only. Show up unannounced and you leave without the car. The first call after release should be to (423) 476-1121 to book a time slot, because every day you wait is another day of storage. A Sheriff's Office or Highway Patrol arrest goes to a private company off the state rotation list instead, and you find out which one by calling the arresting agency's dispatch. Companies commonly on that rotation include Yates Wrecker Service, Green Brothers Towing, and Alvey Towing.

Tennessee caps what a non-consensual police tow can cost. For a standard passenger vehicle the base tow is limited to $375 and daily storage to $40. A 2024 state law also bars a lot from adding gate or access fees during business hours on any day it is already billing storage, and caps any standalone release fee at $100. If a lot tries to stack extra administrative charges on top of the $375 and $40, tell them you will report it to the Department of Safety or the local Highway Patrol wrecker lieutenant. That usually ends it.

Bring the full amount in cash or a certified cashier's check. Cleveland requires all fees paid before the car is released, and lots often refuse personal checks and cards on police tows.

The car is only released to the titled owner, in person, with unexpired government ID. If you were driving someone else's car, you cannot get it out on your own. The owner has to appear, or provide a notarized hold-harmless letter that names you specifically, describes the vehicle by make, model, year, plate, and full VIN, and comes with a photocopy of the title.

If you think the tow itself was improper, you can file for a hearing in the Bradley County General Sessions Court civil division, but that does not stop the storage clock, so get the car back first.