What to Do When Your Car Is Towed for Expired Registration

Your car was towed because your registration lapsed, and you need to get it back

When your vehicle registration expires and you drive it, law enforcement can impound your car. The tow happens because an expired registration is a traffic violation — the state considers an unregistered vehicle unsafe to operate on public roads. Your car goes to an impound lot, and you cannot retrieve it until you renew your registration and pay towing and storage fees.

The process to recover your vehicle involves three separate steps: getting your registration current with the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV), paying the tow and storage charges at the impound lot, and presenting both proof of payment and your new registration to release the car. The total cost depends on how long the car sits in the lot — storage fees accumulate daily.

Key Takeaways

• You must renew your registration with SCDMV before the impound lot will release your vehicle, even if you pay all towing and storage fees.
• Towing costs vary by tow company and distance, but storage fees typically run $25 to $50 per day depending on the lot.
• You can renew your registration online, by mail, or in person at an SCDMV office, and the fastest option is online if your vehicle passes inspection.
• Contact the impound lot immediately to confirm the exact fees owed and ask whether they accept payment by phone or require you to visit in person.
• If you cannot afford the full amount at once, some lots offer payment plans, though this is not may provide — ask when you call.

Renewing your registration with SCDMV

Your registration renewal is separate from paying the impound lot. You must complete this step first because the lot will not release your car without proof of current registration. SCDMV offers three ways to renew: online at scdmvonline.com, by mail, or in person at a local SCDMV office.

Online renewal is fastest if your vehicle passed its most recent inspection and you have no outstanding violations or fines with SCDMV. You will need your driver's license number, vehicle identification number (VIN), and a payment method. The renewal fee is $110 for a standard passenger vehicle registration, though this varies by vehicle type. Once you complete the online transaction, you receive a temporary registration number immediately, and your physical registration card arrives by mail within 10 business days.

If you cannot renew online, visit an SCDMV office in person. Bring your current registration card (or proof of ownership if you do not have it), your driver's license, and proof of insurance. You can find office locations and hours at scdmv.sc.gov. Processing takes about 30 minutes, and you receive a temporary registration on the spot.

Understanding towing and storage fees

The impound lot charges two separate fees: the tow fee and daily storage. The tow fee covers the cost of removing your vehicle from the street or parking lot and transporting it to the lot. This typically ranges from $150 to $300 depending on distance and the tow company contracted by the police department. Storage fees are charged per day your car remains in the lot and usually run $25 to $50 daily, though some lots charge more.

A car impounded on a Monday and retrieved on a Friday could cost $200 to $400 in towing plus $100 to $200 in storage — the exact amount depends on the lot and how quickly you act. The longer your vehicle sits, the higher the total bill. This is why contacting the lot immediately matters: you need to know the exact amount owed so you can plan payment and retrieve your car as soon as your registration is current.

Contacting the impound lot and arranging payment

When your car is towed, the police report or citation you receive should list the impound lot's name and phone number. If you do not have this information, call the police department's non-emergency line and provide your vehicle's license plate number — they will tell you which lot has your car and provide contact details.

Call the lot and confirm the total amount owed, including both towing and storage charges. Ask whether they accept payment by phone, online, or require you to visit in person. Some lots accept credit cards over the phone; others require a check or cash payment at their office. If the total is more than you can pay immediately, ask whether they offer payment plans. Many do not, but some will hold your vehicle for a few days while you arrange funds — it costs nothing to ask.

Once you have paid the impound lot and renewed your registration, bring both your receipt from the lot and your new registration card (or temporary registration number) to the lot to retrieve your vehicle. Confirm with the lot what documents they need before you arrive so you do not make a wasted trip.

If you cannot pay the impound fees right away

If the combined cost of registration renewal and impound fees is beyond your immediate reach, you have a few options. First, contact the impound lot and ask about payment plans or whether they will hold the vehicle for a set number of days without additional charges. Some lots offer this as a courtesy, though they are not required to.

Second, check whether you have family or friends who can lend you the money temporarily. The daily storage fees mean the total cost grows each day, so even a short-term loan can save you money in the long run.

Third, if the impound fees themselves seem incorrect or unreasonably high, you can file a complaint with the South Carolina Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division. This does not stop the fees from accruing, but it creates a record if the lot is charging illegally. Call 803-734-4200 or visit scag.gov to file a complaint.

Preventing future impounds for expired registration

SCDMV sends renewal notices by mail about 30 days before your registration expires. If you move and do not update your address with SCDMV, you may not receive the notice. Update your address online at scdmvonline.com or at any SCDMV office to ensure renewal notices reach you.

You can also set a phone reminder on your calendar for the month your registration expires. Registration renewal can be completed in minutes online, and doing it before expiration costs the same as renewing after — there is no penalty for early renewal. Some people renew as soon as they receive the notice rather than waiting until the last day, which eliminates the risk of forgetting.

What happens if your car was towed for other reasons

If you believe your car was towed in error — for example, if your registration was actually current or if you were parked legally — you can dispute the tow. Contact the police department that authorized the tow and request a review. Bring proof of current registration at the time of the tow (such as a photo of your registration card or a receipt from SCDMV showing the renewal date). If the police agree the tow was improper, they may direct the impound lot to waive fees or refund them.

If the police do not reverse the tow, you can file a complaint with the South Carolina Attorney General or pursue a small claims case against the tow company or the city. Small claims court handles disputes up to $7,500 and does not require a lawyer. Contact your local magistrate's office for information on filing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get my car out of the impound lot without renewing my registration?

No. The impound lot will not release your vehicle until you show proof of current registration, even if you pay all towing and storage fees. Renewing your registration is a legal requirement before your car can be driven on public roads again.

How long can the impound lot hold my car?

There is no legal limit on how long a lot can hold your vehicle, but storage fees continue to accrue daily. The longer you wait, the more you owe. Most people retrieve their cars within a few days once they renew their registration and pay the fees.

What if I cannot afford to renew my registration right now?

Registration renewal costs $110 for most vehicles. If you cannot afford this amount, contact local nonprofits or community assistance programs in your area — some offer emergency transportation funds. You can also ask family or friends for a short-term loan, since the daily storage fees mean the total cost grows quickly.

Do I have to pay the impound fees if I think the tow was illegal?

You can dispute the tow with the police department that authorized it. If they agree the tow was improper, they may direct the lot to waive fees. If they do not, you can file a complaint with the South Carolina Attorney General or pursue a small claims case, though you will likely need to pay the fees to retrieve your car while the dispute is ongoing.

Can I renew my registration online if my car is impounded?

Yes. Your car being in an impound lot does not prevent you from renewing your registration online. As long as your vehicle passed its most recent inspection, you can complete the renewal at scdmvonline.com and receive a temporary registration number immediately.