Taylor County Vehicle Impound Guide

Getting Your Car Back After DUI Arrest in Taylor County

After a DUI arrest in Taylor County, Texas, one of your most immediate concerns is likely getting your vehicle back. Vehicles are commonly impounded following a DUI arrest for several reasons: as evidence in the case, for public safety (preventing further impaired driving), or due to legal requirements. Understanding the impound and retrieval process is crucial to minimizing costs and avoiding further complications. This guide provides the essential steps to recover your vehicle as quickly as possible.

Where Is Your Car?

Your vehicle may be at the Abilene Police Vehicle Impound or a private Vehicle Storage Facility (VSF). The Abilene Police Vehicle Impound is primarily used for vehicles held for evidentiary purposes, abandoned vehicles, and those connected to specific municipal arrests. However, the Taylor County Sheriff's Office or DPS troopers may utilize private VSFs.

• Abilene Police Vehicle Impound: 2349 Sandy St, Abilene, TX 79601

How to Find Your Vehicle

• Check your arrest paperwork: The arresting officer should have provided paperwork indicating where your vehicle was towed. The tow company's name and contact information should be on this document.
• Call the Taylor County Sheriff's Office non-emergency line: If you cannot locate the paperwork or the information is unclear, contact the Taylor County Sheriff's Office to inquire about the location of your vehicle.
• Reference your booking number: Have your booking number ready when you call, as this will help them locate your vehicle information faster.

What You Need to Retrieve Your Vehicle

Gathering the necessary documents and preparing for payment are crucial steps in retrieving your vehicle efficiently.

Required Documents

• Valid state or federal photo identification: You will need to present a valid driver's license or other acceptable form of photo ID. If your license is suspended, a licensed individual can retrieve the vehicle on your behalf with proper authorization.
• Vehicle registration or title: Proof of ownership is required to claim the vehicle. This can be the vehicle's registration or title. A certificate of title must be accepted even if the presenting party is not the name on the title.
• Payment for fees: Be prepared to pay all towing and storage fees before the vehicle will be released.

If You Don't Have a Valid License

If your license is suspended or revoked, you cannot legally drive the vehicle yourself.

• Have a licensed friend or family member retrieve it: Ask a licensed driver to pick up the vehicle for you.
• They need: Their valid driver's license, a signed authorization letter from you granting them permission to retrieve the vehicle, and the vehicle's title or registration.

Costs & Fees in Taylor County

Understanding the costs associated with impoundment is essential for budgeting and preventing additional financial strain.

The Abilene Police Vehicle Impound and other VSFs in Taylor County charge fees for towing and daily storage.

• Tow Fee: $272 (State maximum for light duty)
• Daily Storage Rate: $22.85 per day (vehicles 25 ft or less)

IMPORTANT: Storage fees accumulate every day, including weekends and holidays. Retrieve your vehicle as quickly as possible to minimize expenses. Under TDLR administrative rules, the $22.85 daily storage fee is calculated strictly on calendar days, rather than 24-hour periods, subject to a specific 12-hour grace window. If a vehicle is impounded at 10:00 PM and you retrieve it at 8:00 AM the following morning, the impoundment spans two distinct calendar days. However, because the total duration falls within a single 12-hour period, the VSF is legally permitted to charge for only one day of storage. Meticulously document the exact timestamp of the tow and compare it against the retrieval time, demanding adherence to the 12-hour statutory exception.

Payment

Call the impound lot in advance to confirm accepted payment methods. Most facilities accept cash, debit cards, and credit cards, as mandated by Texas law.

Timeline

Acting quickly is crucial to minimize costs and prevent further complications.

Act Immediately

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

After 10 Days

Under Texas state law, a VSF or municipal lot can declare a vehicle abandoned if it is not claimed by an authorized individual within 10 days after the first certified notification letter is dispatched.

After 30 Days

Following a second required notice, the facility may sell the vehicle at public auction after a 30-day waiting period to satisfy the accrued towing and storage liens. Given the rapidly compounding fees, defendants who remain in custody for extended periods due to high bail amounts, or those who lack immediate liquid capital, are at severe and imminent risk of permanent asset forfeiture.

If You Can't Afford the Fees

If you are struggling to afford the impound fees, consider the following options:

• Contact a family member or friend to help cover costs: Seek assistance from your support network to alleviate the financial burden.
• Ask the impound lot if a payment plan is available: Some impound lots may offer payment plans or other arrangements to help you manage the costs.

After Retrieval

Once you have retrieved your vehicle, take the following steps:

• Inspect the vehicle immediately before leaving the lot: Carefully examine the vehicle for any damage that may have occurred while it was impounded.
• Document any damage with photos: Take photographs 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 leaving the premises. This creates a record of the damage and strengthens your claim if you need to seek compensation.

By following these steps, you can navigate the process of retrieving your vehicle after a DUI arrest in Taylor County efficiently and effectively.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can the impound lot refuse to release my vehicle if I don't have car insurance? No. TDLR regulations explicitly state that VSFs, as well as local city or county law enforcement agencies, may not require proof of insurance as a condition of vehicle release.
• How long do I have to request a tow hearing in Taylor County if I believe my vehicle was wrongfully impounded? You have 14 days from the date the vehicle was removed (excluding weekends and legal holidays) to file a written request for a Tow Hearing with the Justice of the Peace (JP) court that holds geographical jurisdiction over the precinct where the vehicle was originally parked or towed from.
• What is the filing fee for a tow hearing in Taylor County? The filing fee for a tow hearing in Taylor County is $41.00.