Jefferson County Vehicle Impound Guide
Impound Cost Calculator
Calculate how much it will cost to retrieve your vehicle from the impound lot in Jefferson County, Tennessee.
*Estimated fees shown for Jefferson County. Actual fees may vary.
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The First 48 Hours
After a DUI arrest in Jefferson 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 Jefferson 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 Jefferson County. Verify your vehicle's location before traveling.
Lot Information Pending
Contact Jefferson County local dispatch for specific towing lot assignments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Jefferson County has no central impound lot. The Sheriff's Office runs a rotation of private wreckers, so your car went wherever the next company on the list took it. There is a wrinkle worth knowing: if you asked the officer for a specific tow company at the scene, they are supposed to honor it, as long as that company can be there within 30 minutes. On a DUI stop that window is usually blown, and the officer falls back to the rotation.
The companies on the list include Buster's Towing and Repair at 278 Milldale Rd in Dandridge, (865) 397-9865; J Hooks Towing and Recovery at 840 W Hwy 25/70 in Dandridge, (865) 344-7255; Norton's Towing serving New Market and Dandridge, (865) 397-0905; and Casper's Wrecker Service, (423) 639-0893. To find out which one has your vehicle, call the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office at (865) 397-3838 with the exact time, date, and location of the stop before you drive anywhere.
On a rotation tow of a light vehicle that was not in a crash, the base tow fee is capped at $250. That cap does not touch daily storage, environmental, or administrative fees, which start adding up the moment the car reaches the lot. Get it out within 24 hours if you can. Since the driver is usually still in custody, that means sending someone else.
The lots release only to the registered owner, who has to show a photo ID matching the registration or title plus valid proof of insurance. If the owner is the person sitting in the detention center, or otherwise cannot come in person, most lots require a notarized release letter from the owner. Whoever drives the car off the lot has to have a valid license, and the lot will refuse to hand the keys to anyone who seems impaired or is unlicensed, costing you another day of storage. Cash is always accepted; a card usually adds a 3 to 5 percent surcharge.
These are small businesses, not a municipal office. Many close for lunch from noon to 1:00 p.m. or stop processing releases at 4:00 p.m. even with the gate open until 5:00. Call the lot, confirm the release hours, and confirm the exact total for that day. If the county requires a tow hearing, the request goes to the Jefferson County General Sessions Court within 10 days.
Need Help Beyond Impound?
If you're dealing with a recent arrest, here are immediate resources for release and legal help:
Legal Representation
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