Tarrant County Vehicle Impound Guide

The City of Fort Worth Auto Pound is located at 2500 Brennan Avenue, Fort Worth, TX 76106.

Vehicle Impound in Tarrant County: A Guide to Getting Your Car Back

If your vehicle has been impounded in Tarrant County, understanding the process and your rights is crucial to a swift and cost-effective recovery. This guide provides information specific to Tarrant County and the City of Fort Worth regarding vehicle impoundment, focusing on what you need to do to get your vehicle back.

Primary Impound Facilities

Your vehicle may be located at one of two primary facilities:

• City of Fort Worth Auto Pound: Primarily handles vehicles towed by the Fort Worth Police Department.

• Address: 2500 Brennan Avenue, Fort Worth, TX 76106

• Phone: 817-349-4022 (Vehicle Location), 817-392-5950, 817-392-5951 (Main Office)

• Hours: Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for vehicle release. Note: Administrative support for complex issues may be more readily available during standard business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM).

• Tarrant County Vehicle Storage Facility: Often used for vehicles towed under the authority of the Tarrant County Sheriff's Office (TCSO), especially from unincorporated areas, and also serves as a hub for many private property impounds.

• Address: 6501 Hart Street, Fort Worth, TX 76112.

• Phone: 817-918-9800 or 940-334-3001 (Dispatch/Locator).

Required Documents for Vehicle Release

The impound lot (VSF) requires strict documentation to ensure they are releasing the vehicle to the rightful owner. You will need:

1. Valid Photo Identification: A current, government-issued ID such as a Driver’s License, State Identification Card, Passport, or Military Identification Card.

2. Proof of Ownership: You must provide legal documentation linking your name to the vehicle's VIN. Acceptable documents include:

• Certificate of Title: The original title in your name.
• Current Registration: A valid vehicle registration receipt (not just the sticker on the window).
• Rental Agreement: If a rental, the contract listing you as the authorized renter/driver.
• Company Vehicle Authorization: If owned by a corporation, a letter on company letterhead authorizing you to retrieve the vehicle, along with your employee ID.
• "Affidavit of Right of Possession": If your ownership documents are locked inside the vehicle or lost, you may need to complete a TDLR-approved form (often Form VTR-262 or similar VSF-specific affidavits) where you swear under penalty of perjury that you are the owner.

Payment Methods

The City of Fort Worth Auto Pound accepts:

• Cash
• Visa
• MasterCard
• American Express
• Discover

Important: The cardholder must typically be present with a valid photo ID matching the name on the card when using a credit or debit card.

Important Considerations

• Time is of the Essence: A statutory clock begins ticking from the moment your vehicle is towed, governing daily storage fees and due process rights.
• Tow Hearing: You have 14 business days (excluding weekends and holidays) to file a written request for a tow hearing in the correct Justice of the Peace precinct to contest the validity of the tow. Failure to do so waives your right to a hearing.
• Storage Fees: Storage fees accrue every calendar day.
• Notification Fee: For the Fort Worth Auto Pound, a $50 Notification Fee is automatically triggered if a vehicle is not retrieved within the first 48 hours.
• Quick Retrieval: State law generally prohibits charging for a second day of storage if the vehicle is picked up within 12 hours of arrival, but owners should verify this with the specific facility.
• Insurance: While a VSF cannot require proof of insurance to release your vehicle, they are prohibited from allowing a vehicle to be operated on public roadways without valid liability insurance. This means you may need to arrange for a tow-out if you cannot provide proof of insurance.

To locate your vehicle through AutoReturn, call 817-349-4022.