Austin County Vehicle Impound Guide
Impound Cost Calculator
Calculate how much it will cost to retrieve your vehicle from the impound lot in Austin County, Texas.
*Estimated fees shown for Austin County. Actual fees may vary.
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What comes next after a Texas DUI arrest
SR-22 insurance
A DUI in Texas often means an SR-22 must be filed before your license is reinstated.
Texas SR-22 guideDUI classes
Courts and the DMV usually require an approved alcohol education program in Texas.
DUI school guideIgnition interlock
Depending on your offense, Texas may require an interlock device to drive again.
Interlock guideThe First 48 Hours
After a DWI arrest in Austin 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 Austin 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 Austin County. Verify your vehicle's location before traveling.
Lot Information Pending
Contact Austin County local dispatch for specific towing lot assignments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Austin County runs on private towing, not a municipal lot. When an officer orders a non-consent tow after a DWI arrest, dispatch calls the next company up on the rotation — commonly American Wrecker, Texans Crown Towing, Ranger Tow, Sealy Towing, or Bellville Towing, depending on where the stop happened and which company's turn it is. Finding out which one actually has the car means calling the arresting agency's dispatch line directly; there's no public database to search.
Getting the vehicle back requires proof of ownership — a title or registration that matches the claimant's photo ID — or a notarized release signed by the registered owner if someone else is picking it up. Base hookup rates in the Bellville area start around $100, with daily storage and administrative fees added on top, all capped under state regulations set by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.
Because these are private operators, an after-hours release typically comes with an added gate fee. It's also worth calling ahead to confirm the storage yard's physical address — these companies sometimes list an administrative office address online that's different from where the vehicle is actually held, and showing up at the wrong location wastes a trip.
If the tow itself seems improper, Texas law allows an owner to request a hearing contesting it, filed with the local Justice of the Peace.
Need Help Beyond Impound?
If you're dealing with a recent arrest, here are immediate resources for release and legal help: