Brazos County Vehicle Impound Guide
Impound Cost Calculator — Brazos County, Texas
Calculate how much it will cost to retrieve your vehicle from the impound lot.
*Estimated fees shown. Actual fees in Brazos 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 Brazos 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 Brazos 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 Brazos 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 Brazos County Detention Center (BCDC) is located at 1835 Sandy Point Road, Bryan, Texas 77807. If you've been arrested for DWI in Brazos County, understanding the vehicle impound process is crucial, as daily vehicle storage fees accrue independently of the bond release process.
Vehicle Impound in Brazos County: A Local Guide
Following a DWI arrest in Brazos County, your vehicle is subject to a "non-consent tow." Unlike cities with a central municipal impound lot, Brazos County and its cities utilize a "Non-Consent Rotation List," meaning your car could be at any one of a dozen different private lots scattered across the industrial zones of Bryan and College Station. Different law enforcement agencies (CSPD, BPD, BCSO) utilize distinct towing contractors and protocols.
Finding Your Vehicle
To locate your impounded vehicle, call the non-emergency line of the arresting agency (Bryan Police Department or College Station Police Department). They can provide the name and phone number of the tow company that seized your vehicle. Online tools like findmytowedcar.com are helpful but depend on the private operator updating the database timely.
Impound Fees
The costs associated with impoundment accumulate rapidly.
- Base Tow Fee: The standard non-consent tow fee for a light-duty vehicle is capped by state/local rule, typically around $255 - $272.
- Daily Storage Fee: The statutory maximum (as of 2024/2025) is $22.85 per day.
- Impound Fee: A one-time processing fee of roughly $22.85.
- Notification Fee: If the vehicle is not claimed within a specific window (often 24-48 hours), the operator is required to send a certified letter to the registered owner. They can charge up to $50 for this letter.
Storage fees accrue on a calendar day basis. If a car is towed at 11:30 PM on Friday and picked up at 8:00 AM on Saturday, the operator can legally charge for two days of storage (Friday and Saturday).
Required Documents for Vehicle Release
Retrieval requires obtaining physical ID from the jail before accessing the impound lot, creating a "split recovery" problem. The VSF (Vehicle Storage Facility) must verify the identity of the person picking up the car. The defendant’s license is at the police station (seized for ALR), the defendant effectively cannot pick up their own car. The VSF may accept the DIC-25 paper permit or a jail release ID, but this is discretionary and often refused by clerks who demand a "hard" license. The DIC-25 (Temporary Driving Permit) is critical for impound lot access but is fragile and easily lost.
Important Considerations
Vehicle seizure involves a "non-consent tow" and an inventory search.
Common operators on the rotation include J.D.'s Wrecker Service, College Station Wrecker, Precision Towing, and Texas Ave Towing. The Brazos County Detention Center is located at 1835 Sandy Point Road, Bryan, Texas 77807.
Sources
Texas Transportation Code
Brazos County Towing Regulations
Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation
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