Hidalgo County Vehicle Impound Guide

The McAllen Police Department operates under City Ordinance § 114-150, which establishes a rotation list for non-consent tows related to DUI arrests. This means that if you're arrested for DUI by McAllen PD, your vehicle won't necessarily be at a central city impound lot.

Vehicle Impound After a Hidalgo County DUI Arrest: A Local Guide

Hidalgo County and its municipalities, including McAllen and Edinburg, largely utilize a decentralized "voluntary wrecker rotation list" system. This means there isn't one central location to find your impounded vehicle after a DUI arrest. Knowing the specific procedures and potential pitfalls can save you time, money, and frustration.

Finding Your Vehicle

Unlike some cities with municipal impound lots, Hidalgo County uses a rotation system of private towing companies. To locate your vehicle:

• McAllen Arrest: Contact the McAllen Police Department Records Bureau or the arresting officer to identify the specific towing company that has your vehicle. Look for a "tow slip," but if it's missing, a visit to MPD headquarters at 1601 N. Bicentennial Blvd might be necessary.
• Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office Arrest: While county documentation may reference 711 El Cibolo Road, Edinburg (the Sheriff's physical address), your vehicle is most likely at a third-party lot, unless it's being held as evidence. Contact the Sheriff's office for the correct location.

Be aware of the "Jurisdictional Trap": If arrested by McAllen PD but detained in the Hidalgo County Adult Detention Center in Edinburg, the vehicle is likely in McAllen, not Edinburg.

Costs and Fees

Retrieving your vehicle involves a combination of state-regulated and locally authorized fees. McAllen has significantly higher fees than the state maximums.

• McAllen Towing Fees (Effective April 2025): Expect higher costs in McAllen. For example, a Friday night DUI arrest could result in the following:
• Base Tow: $300.00
• Mileage: $25.00 (5 miles x $5)
• Impound Fee: $20.00
• Storage (Friday, Saturday, Sunday): $150.00 ($50 x 3 days)
• Non-Op Access Fee (If retrieved on Sunday): $150.00
• Total Estimated Cost: $645.00
• Hidalgo County/State Maximums: Outside McAllen, fees are governed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). The statewide cap for private property tows is $272, but non-consent tows can exceed this. Daily storage is capped at $22.85 per day (for vehicles < 25 ft).

The daily storage rate in McAllen ($50) is significantly higher (118%) than the standard state rate ($22.85).

Release Requirements

You'll need the following documents to retrieve your vehicle:

• Valid Government ID (State or Federal issued)
• Proof of Ownership (Vehicle title or current registration receipt)
• Proof of Insurance (Must be current)
• Hold Harmless Agreement
• Notarized Letter of Authorization (if registered owner is incarcerated and not present)

If the registered owner is incarcerated, obtaining a Notarized Letter of Authorization can be a major hurdle, potentially leading to additional storage fees.

Important Considerations

• "Lunch Break" and "Cut-off" Trap: Many smaller lots operate with limited staff. A "Closed for Lunch" sign between 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM is common, and some lots stop processing paperwork as early as 4:30 PM, even if they close later.
• Payment Rigidity: While VSFs must accept credit/debit cards, card machines may be "down," forcing cash payments, often requiring exact change.

The Hidalgo County Adult Detention Center is located at 701 E. El Cibolo Road, Edinburg, TX 78541.