Bastrop County Vehicle Impound Guide
Impound Cost Calculator — Bastrop County, Texas
Calculate how much it will cost to retrieve your vehicle from the impound lot.
*Estimated fees shown. Actual fees in Bastrop County may vary. Contact the impound lot directly for exact costs.
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The First 48 Hours Are Critical
After a arrest in Bastrop County, your vehicle is likely towed to an impound lot. Storage fees accumulate daily, making time your biggest enemy.
What Happens Immediately After Arrest
- 1
Vehicle is towed (usually within 30 minutes of arrest)
- 2
Tow company notifies impound lot (charges start immediately)
- 3
Storage fees begin accruing daily in Bastrop County
- 4
Administrative fees added (varies by lot)
Documents You Need to Retrieve Your Vehicle
- Valid photo ID (driver's license or state ID)
- Vehicle registration or title
- Proof of insurance
- Payment for all fees (see calculator above)
- Release authorization (if not the registered owner)
Can Someone Else Pick Up My Car?
Yes, but they'll need:
- • Written authorization from the registered owner
- • Copy of owner's ID
- • Their own valid ID
- • Proof of insurance in their name or the owner's name
Find Impound Lots in Bastrop County
Call Before You Go
Verify your vehicle is at this lot and confirm the exact amount owed before making the trip. Hours and fees may change without notice.
The Impound “Poverty Trap”
Many people can't afford to get their car out immediately, but waiting only makes it worse.
Here's the vicious cycle:
Can't afford the first 3 days of storage + admin fees
Wait a week to save money → fees double
Can't get to work without car → lose income
Wait 2 weeks → fees triple or quadruple
After 30 days → Car may be auctioned by the lot
What You Can Do
- • Borrow money from family/friends (pay them back later, cheaper than daily fees)
- • Use a credit card (even with interest, cheaper than impound fees)
- • Sell non-essential items quickly
- • Ask your employer for an advance
- • Check if your auto insurance covers towing/storage (some policies do)
The Bastrop County Jail is located at 200 Jackson Street, Bastrop, Texas 78602. It serves as the central processing hub for DUI arrests in the county. Understanding the vehicle impound process after a DUI arrest in Bastrop County is crucial, as it can quickly lead to accumulating fees and logistical challenges. The Bastrop County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) oversees county-level towing ordinances and the vehicle impound process.
Vehicle Impoundment in Bastrop County
When you're arrested for DUI in Bastrop County, your vehicle is often impounded. If you are unable to designate a specific towing company at the time of your arrest, the Sheriff’s Office dispatch will contact the next company on the Tow Rotation List. This means you don't get to choose where your car is towed; it's assigned based on the rotation.
Fees Associated with Vehicle Impound
Towing and storage fees can add up quickly. While Travis County has a $275 cap for Class A (light-duty) tows, Bastrop County operates with similar costs. According to City of Bastrop Ordinance A4.10, a regular tow (light duty) has a cap of $150.00, while a heavy-duty tow has a cap of $300.00. Impound/storage fees are typically $20.00 per day. There may also be additional labor fees for winching ($75/hr), wait time ($35/hr), and clean-up ($75/hr).
A critical point to remember is the "midnight" billing cycle. If your vehicle is towed late at night and arrives at the storage lot after midnight, you could be charged for two days of storage by 12:01 AM the following night.
After 24 hours (or specifically 5 days in some contexts), Vehicle Storage Facilities (VSFs) can charge a notification fee (up to $50) for sending a certified letter to the owner.
Retrieving Your Vehicle
Releasing your vehicle requires strict documentation. You'll need to provide:
- Valid Government ID
- Proof of Ownership (Title/Registration)
- Valid Insurance
One significant hurdle is that your driver's license is often confiscated at the scene of the arrest, and your proof of insurance may be in the impounded vehicle. Vehicle Storage Facilities (VSFs) are required to allow owners access to retrieve insurance documents.
If you remain incarcerated, you must execute a "Right of Possession" form (TDLR Form 1845) or a notarized Power of Attorney to allow a family member to retrieve the car.
Inmate Accounts and Communication
If you're in jail, you need funds in your inmate account to make non-collect calls to arrange for vehicle recovery. External deposits require navigating a third-party system (VendEngine), which can cause delays. Family members cannot simply hand cash to a booking officer. They must navigate a third-party system, VendEngine, which requires mailing money orders to a processing center in Nashville, TN, or utilizing digital kiosks.
To coordinate vehicle recovery, start by contacting the Bastrop County Jail at 200 Jackson Street, Bastrop, Texas 78602.
Sources
Texas Transportation Code
Bastrop County Towing Regulations
Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation
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