Dallas County Vehicle Impound Guide
Impound Cost Calculator — Dallas County, Texas
Calculate how much it will cost to retrieve your vehicle from Dallas Police Auto Pound (The "Vilbig" Lot).
*Estimated fees shown. Actual fees in Dallas County may vary. Contact the impound lot directly for exact costs.
Select a pickup date to
see cost estimate
The First 48 Hours Are Critical
After a arrest in Dallas 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 Dallas 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
Impound Lot Details
Dallas Police Auto Pound (The "Vilbig" Lot)
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 most critical temporal constraint within the Dallas County impoundment ecosystem is the 14-day window to request a tow hearing, also known as a "Chapter 2308 Hearing" or a "Probable Cause Hearing." Under Texas Occupations Code § 2308.456, a vehicle owner or operator is entitled to a hearing to determine whether probable cause existed for the removal and placement of the vehicle in a vehicle storage facility (VSF).
Dallas County Impound Lots
The Dallas Police Department (DPD) utilizes a primary Auto Pound for evidentiary holds, accidents, and specific statutory violations, while employing private contractors (Peak Auto Storage) to manage volume.
Primary County Impound
Dallas Police Auto Pound (The "Vilbig" Lot)
- Address: 1955 Vilbig Road, Dallas, TX 75208
- Phone: (214) 670-5116
- Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m., 7 days a week, including holidays. Arriving at least one hour before closing is strongly recommended.
- Payment Methods: Cash, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express. The credit card holder must be present with a valid photo ID matching the card. Payments cannot be made over the phone. Personal checks are generally not accepted without a bank letter of guarantee.
Contracted Storage Facilities (Peak Auto Storage)
Peak Auto Storage – North Dallas
- Address: 11211 Goodnight Ln., Dallas, TX 75229
- Phone: (214) 890-4102
- Hours: Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays.
Peak Auto Storage – South Dallas
- Address: 4206 E. Ledbetter Rd., Dallas, TX 75241
- Phone: (214) 890-4138
- Hours: Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays.
What You Need to Release Your Vehicle
The release process requires strict identity and ownership verification.
- Valid state-issued Driver's License or Identification Card (Original required)
- Mexican Consulate ID (Matricula Consular de Alta Seguridad - MCAS) (Original required)
- Certificate of Title in claimant's name
- Current Registration (DMV printout or receipt)
- Notarized Bill of Sale (if title transfer in progress)
- Rental/Lease Agreement (if applicable, listing claimant as authorized driver)
- Proof of Active Insurance for the specific vehicle (digital proof accepted)
Full payment of all accrued towing, storage, impound, and notification fees must be made prior to release; partial payments are not accepted. Generally, payment plans are not offered by Vehicle Storage Facilities (VSFs).
Request a Tow Hearing
If an owner believes the vehicle was towed without probable cause, they must request a hearing within 14 business days of the tow in the Justice of the Peace Court where the Vehicle Storage Facility (VSF) is located. Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays are excluded from this calculation. Filing in the precinct where the car was parked/arrested is a common error that can lead to dismissal.
For South Dallas / Vilbig Area:
- Precinct 1, Place 2 (Judge Valencia Nash) or Precinct 5
- South Dallas Government Center, 8301 S. Polk Street, Suite 2200, Dallas, TX 75232
- (972) 228-2272
For North Dallas / Peak Auto North:
- Precinct 3, Place 1 (Judge Adam M. Swartz)
- North Dallas Government Center, 6820 Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway, Suite 3100, Dallas, TX 75240
- (214) 321-4106
Sources
Texas Transportation Code
Dallas County Towing Regulations
Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation
Nearby Texas Counties
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