Washington County Vehicle Impound Guide
Impound Cost Calculator
Calculate how much it will cost to retrieve your vehicle from the impound lot in Washington County, Texas.
*Estimated fees shown for Washington County. Actual fees may vary.
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What comes next after a Texas DUI arrest
SR-22 insurance
A DUI in Texas often means an SR-22 must be filed before your license is reinstated.
Texas SR-22 guideDUI classes
Courts and the DMV usually require an approved alcohol education program in Texas.
DUI school guideIgnition interlock
Depending on your offense, Texas may require an interlock device to drive again.
Interlock guideThe First 48 Hours
After a DWI arrest in Washington County, your vehicle is likely towed to an impound lot. Storage fees accumulate daily, making time your biggest enemy.
Retrieval Timeline
- 1
Vehicle Towed
Usually within 30 minutes of your arrest.
- 2
Lot Notification
Fees and admin processing start immediately upon arrival.
- 3
Daily Accrual
Fees start at state averages in Washington County.
- 4
Final Notice
After 30 days, the lot may begin the auction process.
Required Documents
- Valid Photo ID (License or State ID)
- Vehicle Registration or Title
- Current Proof of Insurance
- Full Payment (Cash/Credit)
- Release Authorization (if not owner)
Owner Not Present?
If the registered owner is in custody, you will need a notarized power of attorney or specific written authorization and a copy of their ID to retrieve the vehicle.
Lot Details & Map
Current storage facility information for Washington County. Verify your vehicle's location before traveling.
Lot Information Pending
Contact Washington County local dispatch for specific towing lot assignments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Arens Services, at 2070 FM 389 in Brenham, handles most non-consent DWI tows — phone (979) 421-6292, after-hours release available subject to standard gate fees. CCM Towing and Recovery, at 371 New Wehdem Rd, is the secondary lot when the primary rotation is unavailable. To find out which one has your car, call Brenham Police dispatch at 979-277-7373; law enforcement keeps the central wrecker rotation log.
Texas's statewide caps govern the fees: roughly $250-$300 for a standard non-consent tow, up to $22 a day storage, and up to $20 if registration records need to be pulled. Payment methods include cash, cashier's check, money order, and credit card — but the Arens location sits remote enough, with no access by public transit or on foot, that bringing exact cash or a cashier's check is a smart precaution against rural card-reader connectivity issues.
The ownership trap catches people off guard: if you're not the registered owner, you can't simply send someone with verbal permission. They need a notarized power of attorney, a formal court order, or a TDLR-approved Affidavit of Right of Possession and Control — missing that documentation means continued denial and ongoing storage fees.
In cases involving an accident, a fatality, or felony enhancements, the arresting agency can place an evidentiary hold on the vehicle, barring release or even access to personal items inside it. Clearing that hold means contacting the Washington County Attorney's Office or the investigating detective directly, which can take several days.
If you want to contest the tow, Texas gives you until the 14th day after the vehicle was placed in storage, excluding weekends and legal holidays — miss that window and the right to contest is permanently waived. Washington County runs four JP precincts, so file in the specific precinct where the tow originated; the filing fee runs around $54.
Need Help Beyond Impound?
If you're dealing with a recent arrest, here are immediate resources for release and legal help: