How to Get Your Car Back After It's Impounded in South Carolina
What happens when your car is impounded
When police or a towing company takes your vehicle and holds it at a lot, you cannot simply drive away. South Carolina law requires you to go through a specific process to recover it. The exact steps depend on why the car was taken — whether it was towed for a traffic violation, unpaid tickets, an accident, or because it was involved in a crime.
The towing company or police department will have your vehicle at a storage facility, usually a private lot or a police impound yard. You will need to contact them first to find out the reason for impoundment, what documents you need, and what fees you owe before release. These fees can be substantial and include the tow charge, daily storage fees, and sometimes administrative costs.
Key Takeaways
- Contact the police department or towing company within 24 hours to learn why your car was impounded and what you must pay to get it back.
- You will need proof of ownership (title or registration), a valid driver's license, and payment for towing and storage fees before the lot will release the vehicle.
- If the impound is related to unpaid tickets or fines, you may need to pay those or set up a payment plan before the car is released.
- South Carolina law gives you the right to request a hearing if you believe the impound was improper, but you must act quickly — usually within 10 days.
- Storage fees add up fast, often $25 to $50 per day, so the longer you wait the more you will owe.
Finding out where your car is and why it was taken
Your first step is to contact the police department in the city or county where the car was impounded. If you were present when it happened, the officer should have given you a receipt or paperwork with the lot's name and location. If not, call the non-emergency police line for that jurisdiction and give them your vehicle's license plate number. They can tell you which towing company has it and provide contact information.
Once you reach the towing company or impound lot, ask specifically why the vehicle was taken. Common reasons include: the car was parked illegally and blocking traffic; you have unpaid parking or traffic citations; the vehicle was involved in an accident; it was seized as evidence in a crime; or the registration or insurance was expired. The reason matters because it determines what you must do to get the car back.
Ask the lot for a written breakdown of all fees — the tow charge, the daily storage rate, and any administrative fees. Storage fees in South Carolina typically range from $25 to $50 per day depending on the lot and the type of vehicle. A car impounded for five days can easily cost $200 or more before you even pay the tow itself.
Documents and payment you will need
To release your vehicle, bring your current driver's license and proof of ownership. Proof of ownership is usually your vehicle title or current registration. If you are not the registered owner — for example, if a family member's name is on the title — that person may need to be present or provide written permission for you to pick up the car. Call the lot ahead of time to ask what they will accept.
You will also need to pay all outstanding fees. This includes the towing charge (typically $150 to $300), daily storage fees for each day the car has been held, and any administrative or processing fees the lot charges. Some lots accept cash, credit cards, or checks; ask when you call. If the impound is tied to unpaid traffic fines or parking tickets, you may need to pay those first or show proof that you have set up a payment plan with the court.
If your vehicle was impounded because your license was suspended or your registration was expired, you will need to resolve those issues before the lot will release it. Contact the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles to renew your registration or check the status of your license. You may be able to do this online or by phone before you go to pick up the car.
If the impound is related to unpaid fines or tickets
When a vehicle is impounded because of unpaid traffic citations, parking tickets, or court fines, you have a few options. You can pay the full amount owed to the court, which will clear the hold and allow the lot to release your car. You can also contact the court that issued the citation and ask about a payment plan. Many South Carolina courts will work with you to set up installments rather than requiring full payment upfront.
If you cannot pay immediately, ask the court clerk whether they will issue a letter confirming that you have a payment plan in place. Some impound lots will release the vehicle once they see this letter, though they may still require you to pay the towing and storage fees. Call the lot before you go to the court to ask what documentation they will accept.
If you believe the ticket or fine was issued in error, you can contest it in court. However, this does not automatically stop the impound. You will likely need to pay the fees to get your car back while your case is being heard, then pursue a refund if you win.
Requesting a hearing if you think the impound was improper
South Carolina law allows you to request a hearing if you believe your vehicle was impounded without proper cause. You must request this hearing within 10 days of the impound. Contact the police department or the towing company to ask how to file a request for a hearing in your jurisdiction — the process varies by city and county.
At the hearing, you can present evidence that the impound was improper. For example, you might argue that the vehicle was parked legally, that you were not the driver when a traffic violation occurred, or that the tow was done without following proper procedures. The hearing officer will decide whether the impound should be reversed and whether you are owed a refund of fees.
Even if you request a hearing, you will usually still need to pay the towing and storage fees to get your car back immediately. If you win the hearing, you may be able to recover those fees, but the process takes time. If you cannot afford to pay and retrieve the car right away, ask the lot about their policy on holds while a hearing is pending.
What to do if you cannot pay the fees right away
If you do not have the money to pay towing and storage fees immediately, contact the impound lot and explain your situation. Some lots will work with you on a payment plan, though this is not required by law. Ask whether they will accept partial payment or whether they offer any hardship options. Be aware that storage fees continue to accrue each day the car remains at the lot, so the longer you wait, the more you will owe.
If the impound is related to unpaid fines, contact the court about a payment plan as described above. If the impound is due to an expired license or registration, contact the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles about your options for renewal or reinstatement.
If you cannot retrieve the car and the fees keep growing, you may eventually lose the vehicle. Most impound lots have a process for selling vehicles after they have been held for a certain period (usually 30 to 90 days, depending on the lot's policy). Once sold, you lose ownership and any equity in the car. It is worth prioritizing payment if at all possible.
Preventing future impounds
Keep your vehicle registration and driver's license current. Renew your registration before the expiration date shown on your registration card. If your license is suspended, contact the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles to find out why and what steps you need to take to reinstate it. Do not drive with a suspended license, as this can lead to additional charges and another impound.
Pay traffic citations and parking tickets promptly. If you cannot pay in full, contact the court immediately to set up a payment plan. Ignoring tickets leads to fines, license suspension, and impound holds. Park only in legal spaces and follow posted time limits. If you receive a parking ticket, deal with it right away rather than letting it accumulate into a larger debt.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can a towing company hold my car?
South Carolina law does not set a specific maximum hold period, but most impound lots have policies ranging from 30 to 90 days. After that time, the lot may sell the vehicle to cover storage and towing fees. Contact your lot to ask their specific policy. The longer your car sits, the more storage fees you owe, so retrieving it quickly is important.
Can I get my personal items out of the car while it is impounded?
This depends on the lot's policy. Some will allow you to retrieve personal belongings without paying the full impound fee, while others require you to pay before accessing the vehicle. Call the lot and ask. If they allow it, go as soon as possible to get items you need, like medications, documents, or work materials.
What if I do not have the title to my car?
Contact the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles to request a duplicate title. You can do this online, by mail, or in person. It usually takes a few days to a few weeks. In the meantime, bring your current registration and driver's license to the impound lot and ask whether they will accept those as proof of ownership while you obtain the title.
Can the towing company charge whatever fees they want?
South Carolina does not set statewide caps on towing and storage fees, so rates vary by company and location. However, fees must be reasonable and the lot must provide an itemized breakdown. If you believe the charges are excessive, ask for a written explanation of each fee. You can also file a complaint with your city or county consumer protection office.
What happens if my car is impounded as evidence in a crime?
If your vehicle is held as evidence, the police department controls the release, not the towing company. Contact the police department's evidence unit or the detective assigned to the case. They will tell you when the car can be released. Once the case is resolved or the evidence is no longer needed, you can pick it up, though you will still owe towing and storage fees.