What Happens When a Car Is Left Abandoned on a South Carolina Road

How South Carolina defines an abandoned vehicle

South Carolina law treats a vehicle as abandoned when it has been left unattended on public property for a set period without the owner's permission. The state defines this in the South Carolina Code of Laws, Section 40-13-20. A car sitting on a public road, highway, or parking area for more than 48 hours without being moved is presumed abandoned. The vehicle does not have to be broken down or obviously disabled — time alone is enough.

The 48-hour rule applies whether the car is parked on a street, in a public lot, or on the shoulder of a highway. If you leave a vehicle unattended in any public space and do not move it or arrange for it to be moved within two days, a law enforcement officer or code enforcement official can take action. Private property owners have different rules and can have a vehicle towed much faster, but this guide focuses on public spaces.

Key Takeaways

• A vehicle left unattended on public property in South Carolina for more than 48 hours can be declared abandoned and towed at the owner's expense.
• Local police or code enforcement will attempt to contact the registered owner before towing, but they are not required to wait beyond the 48-hour window.
• Once towed, the vehicle goes to an impound lot, and you must pay towing and storage fees before you can recover it.
• If you find an abandoned vehicle on a road near you, you can report it to your local police non-emergency line or code enforcement office.
• The registered owner has a limited time to claim the vehicle before the impound lot can sell it or dispose of it.

What triggers the towing process

A police officer or code enforcement officer can initiate towing once the 48-hour period has passed. They do not need a court order or a warrant. The officer will typically place a notice on the vehicle warning that it will be towed if not moved. This notice gives the owner a final window — usually 24 hours — to move the car or contact the officer to explain the situation.

If the owner does not respond and the vehicle remains in place, the officer arranges for a tow truck to remove it. The towing company takes the vehicle to an impound lot, usually operated by the city or county or contracted to a private facility. The owner is responsible for all towing and storage costs from the moment the vehicle is hooked up.

Towing and storage costs you will owe

Towing fees in South Carolina vary by location and the towing company contracted by your city or county. A typical tow can range from $150 to $300, depending on distance and the type of vehicle. Storage fees are charged daily and typically run $15 to $50 per day, depending on the impound lot. These costs add up quickly — a vehicle in storage for two weeks can easily cost $300 to $500 in storage alone, on top of the initial tow.

You must pay these fees in full before the impound lot will release the vehicle to you. Some impound lots accept payment plans, but this varies by facility. Contact the impound lot directly to ask about payment options. If you cannot pay, the vehicle will remain in storage, and storage fees will continue to accumulate.

How to recover your vehicle from impound

Once you learn your vehicle has been towed, contact the impound lot immediately. You will need your vehicle identification number (VIN), proof of ownership (registration or title), and a valid photo ID. Bring payment for all towing and storage fees — cash, check, or card, depending on what the lot accepts.

The impound lot will release the vehicle only after fees are paid in full. Before you leave, inspect the vehicle for any damage that occurred during towing or storage and document it. If you believe the towing was improper, you can file a complaint with your city or county, but this does not stop the fees from being owed.

What happens if you do not claim the vehicle

If the registered owner does not claim the vehicle within a set time — usually 30 to 60 days, depending on the county — the impound lot can sell it at auction or dispose of it. Before selling, the lot must make a reasonable effort to notify the owner by mail at the address on the vehicle registration. If the owner does not respond, the lot can proceed with sale or disposal.

The proceeds from a sale go first to cover towing and storage fees, then to any lienholder (such as a bank that financed the car), and finally to the owner if anything remains. In most cases, the fees consume the entire value of an older or damaged vehicle, leaving the owner with nothing.

Reporting an abandoned vehicle you have found

If you see a vehicle that appears to have been abandoned on a public road or in a public lot near you, contact your local police department's non-emergency line or your city or county code enforcement office. Provide the location, license plate number if visible, and how long you believe the vehicle has been there. Do not attempt to move it or open it yourself.

The officer will check the registration and attempt to contact the owner. If the owner cannot be reached and the vehicle has been there long enough, the towing process begins. Your report starts the clock, but the 48-hour rule applies from when the officer first documents the vehicle, not from when you report it.

Your rights if your vehicle is towed

South Carolina law requires that you be given notice before your vehicle is towed, though the notice period is short — typically 24 hours after the initial warning. You have the right to know where your vehicle was taken and how much you owe. The impound lot must provide an itemized receipt showing towing fees, storage fees, and any other charges.

If you believe your vehicle was towed in error — for example, if you had permission to park there or if the 48-hour period had not actually passed — you can file a complaint with your city or county. You can also consult a lawyer about whether the towing violated your rights, though you will still owe the fees while the dispute is being resolved. Some cities have an appeals process for towing disputes; contact your local government to ask.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get my towing fees waived if I was in an emergency?

Possibly, but you must contact your city or county immediately and explain the situation. If your vehicle broke down and you were unable to move it, some jurisdictions will work with you if you can show proof of the breakdown and that you were actively trying to resolve it. There is no may provide, and you should not assume fees will be waived — contact the impound lot and your local government right away.

What if I did not know my vehicle was towed?

The impound lot should have attempted to notify you by mail at the address on your registration. Check your mail carefully, including spam folders if you were notified by email. If you genuinely did not receive notice, contact the impound lot and your city or county to explain. You will still owe the fees, but they may be willing to discuss a payment plan if you can show you made a good-faith effort to retrieve the vehicle once you learned it was towed.

Can the impound lot charge me for storage if I retrieve my vehicle quickly?

Yes. Storage fees begin the moment the vehicle is towed and continue daily until it is released. If you retrieve it the next day, you will owe one day of storage plus the towing fee. There is no grace period or refund for quick retrieval.

What if my vehicle was towed from a private parking lot, not a public road?

Private property owners have much broader authority to tow vehicles. They do not have to wait 48 hours, and they do not have to give as much notice. If your vehicle was towed from private property, contact the property owner or manager first to find out which towing company was used. The same fees apply, but the rules for notice and timing are different.

Can I dispute the towing if the notice was hard to see?

You can file a complaint with your city or county, but the burden is on you to prove the notice was inadequate. South Carolina law does not require the notice to be in a specific location or size, only that a reasonable effort was made. Document the location where your vehicle was parked and take photos if possible. An attorney can advise you on whether you have a strong case, but you will still owe the fees while any dispute is pending.