Cameron County Vehicle Impound Guide

Getting Your Car Back After DUI Arrest in Cameron County

After a DUI arrest in Cameron County, Texas, one of your most immediate concerns is likely getting your vehicle back. Vehicles are typically impounded following a DUI arrest for several reasons: as evidence in the case, to prevent further operation by the intoxicated driver, or due to a mandatory impound policy. Understanding the process for vehicle retrieval and acting quickly is crucial to minimize storage fees and prevent further complications.

Where Is Your Car?

Cameron County utilizes a decentralized system for vehicle impoundment. This means that instead of a single, county-run impound lot, various private Vehicle Storage Facilities (VSFs) are used on a rotation basis. Determining where your vehicle was towed requires a few steps. Because Cameron County and its constituent municipalities predominantly utilize a decentralized rotation list for non-consent tows rather than maintaining a single, massive municipal impound lot, locating and retrieving a vehicle requires navigating a fragmented matrix of private Vehicle Storage Facilities (VSFs).

How to Find Your Vehicle

• Check your arrest paperwork: The arresting officer should have provided documentation indicating which towing company impounded your vehicle. This is the fastest way to find your car.
• Call the Cameron County Sheriff's Office non-emergency line: If you cannot locate the paperwork, call the non-emergency dispatch line to inquire about the location of your vehicle.
• Reference your booking number: Providing your booking number can help the Sheriff's Office locate your records more efficiently.

To determine the location of an impounded vehicle, family members or claimants cannot rely on a centralized online database. Instead, they must contact the non-emergency dispatch of the specific arresting agency (e.g., Brownsville Police Department at 956-548-7000 or Harlingen Police Department at 956-216-5401), provide the vehicle's license plate or Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), and identify the location of the arrest to determine which private wrecker service was dispatched to the scene.

What You Need to Retrieve Your Vehicle

Once you've located your vehicle, you need to gather the necessary documents and payment to retrieve it.

Required Documents

• Valid driver's license: The person retrieving the vehicle must have a valid driver's license.
• Vehicle registration or title: You must prove ownership of the vehicle.
• Proof of insurance: While local city or county law enforcement agencies are statutorily prohibited by the state from requiring that a VSF demand proof of insurance prior to releasing a vehicle, it's always a good idea to have it with you.
• Payment for fees: Be prepared to pay towing and storage fees.

If You Don't Have a Valid License

If your license is suspended or you don't have a valid license for any reason, you can still have someone else retrieve the vehicle for you.

• Have a licensed friend or family member retrieve it: A licensed driver can pick up the vehicle on your behalf.
• They need:
• Their valid driver's license
• A signed authorization letter from you, granting them permission to retrieve the vehicle
• Vehicle title or registration in your name

Costs & Fees in Cameron County

Towing and storage fees can quickly add up. Understanding the fee structure is essential. The statutory daily storage fee is triggered immediately upon the vehicle's intake into the VSF and subsequently compounds each day precisely at midnight.

Typical towing fees in Texas can be up to $255 (State maximum). The Harlingen local ordinance permits a higher $300 fee. The maximum daily storage rate is $22.85 per day (State TDLR cap for light-duty vehicles 25 ft or less for 2024). There can also be admin/processing fees, generally a $50 notification fee + $22.85 Impound fee allowed under TDLR guidelines.

IMPORTANT: Storage fees accrue daily. The longer you wait, the more expensive it becomes to retrieve your vehicle.

Payment

Contact the specific VSF assigned by police dispatch prior to your arrival to explicitly confirm that authorized personnel are physically present on the premises to execute the release documents. VSFs must accept electronic payment per state law, and will also accept cash, cashier's check, and credit/debit.

Timeline

Time is of the essence when it comes to retrieving your vehicle.

Act Immediately

Storage fees start accruing the moment your vehicle is towed. Every day costs more money. It is imperative to arrive at the VSF no later than 3:30 PM. This guarantees sufficient administrative processing time before the facility's mandated closing hour, preventing the compounding of arbitrary storage fees.

After 30 Days

If a vehicle remains unclaimed for an extended period, the impound lot can initiate a lien sale to recover their fees. Do not let it reach this point.

If You Can't Afford the Fees

If you're struggling to afford the impound fees, consider these options:

• Contact a family member or friend to help cover costs: See if someone can lend you the money.
• Ask the impound lot if a payment plan is available: Some impound lots may offer payment plans or reduced rates in cases of financial hardship.
• Consult with a local DUI attorney in our attorney directory: An attorney may be able to negotiate fees or challenge the impoundment.

After Retrieval

Before driving away with your vehicle, take these precautions:

• Inspect the vehicle immediately before leaving the lot: Check for any damage that may have occurred while the vehicle was in the lot's care.
• Document any damage with photos: Take clear photos of any scratches, dents, or other damage.
• Report any damage to the lot manager in writing before you drive away: Ensure you have a written record of the damage reported to the facility.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How long does the impound lot have to keep my car? The impound lot will hold your vehicle until the fees are paid or until they initiate a lien sale, typically after 30 days.
• What if I can't find my paperwork from the arrest? Contact the Cameron County Sheriff's Office or the Brownsville Police Department. They should be able to provide you with the necessary information to locate your vehicle.
• Can the impound lot refuse to release my vehicle if I don't have insurance? No, local city or county law enforcement agencies are statutorily prohibited by the state from requiring that a VSF demand proof of insurance prior to releasing a vehicle.