Ellis County Vehicle Impound Guide

Getting Your Car Back After DUI Arrest in Ellis County

After a DUI arrest in Ellis County, Texas, one of the most immediate concerns is retrieving your vehicle. Vehicles are typically impounded following a DUI arrest to ensure public safety and prevent further operation by the impaired driver. Understanding the process for getting your car back is crucial to minimize fees and avoid further complications. This guide provides a step-by-step overview of what to do.

Where Is Your Car?

Your vehicle was likely towed to one of the authorized Vehicle Storage Facilities (VSF) in Ellis County. Here are the primary facilities used:

• D&W Towing & Recovery Inc.
• Address: 515 Murray St, Midlothian, TX 76065
• Phone: (972) 617-0444
• D&W Towing Red Oak Yard
• Address: 1624 E FM 664, Red Oak, TX 75154
• Phone: (972) 617-0444
• Martin Towing Inc.
• Address: 2859 S US Hwy 77, Waxahachie, TX 75165
• Phone: N/A

Determining the precise location of your vehicle requires immediate action. Because D&W Towing dispatches tow trucks across Ellis County, the arresting location generally dictates which yard receives the vehicle.

How to Find Your Vehicle

• Check your arrest paperwork: The arresting officer should have provided documentation indicating the name of the towing company and possibly the specific impound lot where your vehicle was taken.
• Call the Ellis County Sheriff's Office: If you can't locate the information on your paperwork, you can try contacting the Ellis County Sheriff's Office non-emergency line for assistance.
• Reference your booking number: When you call the towing company, provide your booking number (if available) or your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) or license plate to help them locate your vehicle quickly.

What You Need to Retrieve Your Vehicle

Gathering the necessary documents is essential for a smooth retrieval process.

Required Documents

• Valid driver's license: The person retrieving the vehicle must have a valid driver's license.
• Vehicle registration or title: You must provide proof of ownership, such as the vehicle's registration or title.
• Proof of insurance: Local law enforcement agencies in Ellis County often assert that a vehicle cannot be released without the presentation of a valid insurance policy. Under strict Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) regulations, a private Vehicle Storage Facility cannot make the presentation of an insurance policy a mandatory prerequisite for the physical release of the vehicle to its proven owner, provided all towing and storage fees are paid in full. The caveat is that if the police department placed a specific administrative "hold" on the vehicle for an insurance violation concurrent with the DWI, the owner may be forced to provide insurance documentation to the police records division to secure the municipal release form. However, the tow yard itself cannot independently hold the vehicle hostage for lack of an insurance card.
• Payment for fees: Be prepared to pay all 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, you can still retrieve your vehicle by:

• Having 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 (notarized if possible), and the vehicle's title or registration in your name.

Costs & Fees in Ellis County

Understanding the costs involved is crucial for planning your vehicle retrieval.

• D&W Towing & Recovery Inc.
• Daily Storage Rate: Up to $22.85/day (vehicles ≤ 25 ft); $39.99/day (vehicles > 25 ft)
• Tow Fee: Up to $272 (light-duty); $380 (medium-duty); $489 (heavy-duty)
• Admin/Processing Fee: $50 Notification Fee; $20 Impound Fee
• Martin Towing Inc.
• Daily Fee: $N/A
• Tow Fee: $N/A

IMPORTANT: Storage fees accumulate every day. Retrieve your vehicle as quickly as possible to minimize expenses. VSFs are legally permitted to assess daily storage fees based on calendar days, modified by a specific 12-hour caveat. A facility may charge the maximum $22.85 storage fee for any part of a calendar day the vehicle occupies the lot, except if the vehicle is present for two calendar days but within a continuous 12-hour period.

Payment

Call the impound lot in advance to confirm their accepted payment methods. Most facilities accept cash and credit cards, but some may also accept money orders.

Timeline

Act Immediately

Storage fees start accruing the moment your vehicle is towed. Every day your vehicle remains in the impound lot increases the total cost.

After 30 Days

In Texas, if a vehicle remains unclaimed for an extended period (typically 30 days), the impound lot can initiate a lien sale to recover the outstanding fees. Do not let it reach this point.

If You Can't Afford the Fees

If you're struggling to afford the towing and storage fees:

• Contact a family member or friend: Ask for financial assistance to help cover the costs.
• Ask the impound lot if a payment plan is available: Some facilities may offer payment plans or installment options.
• Tow Hearing: Should a vehicle owner believe that the arresting officer lacked probable cause to initiate the non-consent tow, Texas law provides a mechanism for recourse. The owner may request a formal tow hearing at the local Justice of the Peace court covering the precinct from which the vehicle was removed. This request must be filed within 14 calendar days of the tow (though certain jurisdictions permit up to 21 days). The court is authorized by the Occupations Code to charge a nominal filing fee of $20.00 for this specific hearing, providing an avenue to potentially recoup the exorbitant towing and storage costs if the magistrate rules that the impoundment was legally unjustified.

After Retrieval

• Inspect the vehicle immediately before leaving the lot: Carefully examine the vehicle for any new damage that may have occurred while it was impounded.
• Document any damage with photos: Take clear photos of any damage as evidence.
• Report any damage to the lot manager in writing before you drive away: Notify the impound lot manager of any damage in writing before you leave the premises. This creates an official record of your claim.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can D&W Towing refuse to release my vehicle if I don't have proof of insurance?

A: Under TDLR regulations, D&W Towing cannot make proof of insurance a mandatory prerequisite for releasing your vehicle if you can prove ownership and pay all fees. However, if the Midlothian Police Department placed a hold on the vehicle for an insurance violation, you may need to provide insurance documentation to them first.

Q: What if I was arrested by the Midlothian Police Department?

A: If your vehicle was impounded due to a DWI arrest executed by a Midlothian officer, the storage facility will absolutely refuse to release the vehicle to the owner, regardless of the documentation presented at the tow yard. To resolve this, the owner must first navigate the municipal bureaucracy by visiting the Midlothian Police Department's Records Division in person. The owner must present proof of ownership and pay any requisite municipal administrative fees to secure an official "Tow Release" document.

Q: Where is the Wayne McCollum Detention Center located?

A: The Wayne McCollum Detention Center is located at 300 S Jackson St, Waxahachie, TX 75165.