Retrieving Personal Property After DUI
Your vehicle and belongings are likely at an impound lot after arrest. Learn how to retrieve your personal property, what you can access, and the costs involved.
You Can Access Personal Items Before Vehicle Release
Most jurisdictions allow you to retrieve essential personal belongings from your impounded vehicle even if you can't afford to get the vehicle out yet. This includes wallet, phone, medications, work materials, and personal documents.
What You Can Retrieve Without Paying Full Impound Fees
While your vehicle may be impounded for days or weeks, you typically have the right to access essential personal property without paying the full release fees.
Usually Allowed
- ✓Wallet, purse, identification documents
- ✓Cell phone, laptop, electronics
- ✓Prescription medications
- ✓Medical devices (glasses, hearing aids)
- ✓Work materials, tools, uniforms
- ✓Keys to home or other vehicles
- ✓Child safety seats, strollers
- ✓Personal documents (bills, mail)
- ✓Clothing and personal hygiene items
Usually Restricted
- ✗Vehicle itself (requires full release)
- ✗Large items (furniture, large equipment)
- ✗Items part of police investigation
- ✗Open alcohol containers (evidence)
- ✗Anything illegal or contraband
- ✗Stereo system or fixed vehicle components
- ✗Items not easily verifiable as yours
- ✗Cash or valuables (may require court order)
Note: If you had open containers, drugs, or other contraband in the vehicle, these are evidence in your criminal case and cannot be retrieved. They may be used against you in court.
How to Retrieve Your Personal Property
Follow these steps to access your belongings from the impound lot.
Find Out Where Your Vehicle Is
The arresting officer should have given you a vehicle impound notice with:
- • Name and address of impound lot
- • Phone number to call
- • Impound case/reference number
- • Date vehicle was towed
If you don't have this information, call the police department that made the arrest or check their website for impound records.
Call the Impound Lot First
Before visiting, call to confirm:
- • Your vehicle is there and accessible
- • Their policy on personal property retrieval
- • Hours of operation for property access
- • What identification you need to bring
- • Any fees for accessing property
- • Whether you can send someone else to retrieve items
Bring Required Documentation
You'll typically need:
- • Valid photo ID (driver's license, passport, state ID)
- • Vehicle registration or proof of ownership
- • Impound notice or case number
- • If someone else is picking up: written authorization from you
- • Cash for any access fees (many don't take cards)
Visit During Business Hours
Most impound lots have limited hours for property access:
- • Typical hours: Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm
- • Some lots close for lunch (12-1pm)
- • Weekend access often restricted or unavailable
- • Holidays usually closed
- • Plan to spend 30-60 minutes for the entire process
Property Will Be Inventoried
When you access your vehicle for personal property:
- • Impound staff will supervise your access
- • They'll document what you remove
- • You may need to sign a property release form
- • Vehicle may be locked—they'll unlock it for you
- • You usually have 15-30 minutes to gather belongings
- • Can't remove anything that's evidence or not clearly yours
Costs for Property Access
Some impound lots charge fees for personal property access, even before vehicle release.
Many jurisdictions allow one-time free access to retrieve essential personal belongings.
Some lots charge a "gate fee" or "access fee" each time you visit to retrieve property.
To get the vehicle itself, you'll pay tow fees, storage, and administrative charges.
Payment Requirements
- Most impound lots are cash only for fees—bring exact change
- Some accept debit cards but charge processing fees
- Credit cards rarely accepted
If Someone Else Is Retrieving Property for You
If you can't access the impound lot yourself (no transportation, working, in custody), you can authorize someone else to retrieve your belongings.
They Will Need:
- Written authorization from you (signed letter with your name, their name, vehicle info, and list of items they're authorized to retrieve)
- Their valid photo ID
- Copy of your ID (if possible)
- Vehicle registration or proof you own the vehicle
- Impound notice or case number
Pro Tip: Call the impound lot first to confirm their policy on third-party property retrieval and get their specific requirements for authorization letters. Some lots require notarization.
Common Issues & Solutions
Impound lot won't let me access property
Solution: Ask to speak to a supervisor. Cite your state's laws on personal property access. If still denied, contact an attorney—you may need a court order.
My wallet/ID is in the car and they won't let me in without ID
Solution: Explain the situation and ask if they'll accept alternative ID (work badge, mail with your address, credit card). Or bring someone who can vouch for you with their ID.
Items are missing from my vehicle
Solution: Compare to the impound inventory list. Report missing items immediately in writing. Document with photos. May need to file police report for theft.
Vehicle was damaged during tow or at lot
Solution: Document damage with photos immediately. Compare to tow truck inventory. File claim with impound lot and tow company. Keep all documentation for insurance claim.
Can't afford impound fees to get vehicle released
Solution: Request a tow hearing within 10 days. Explore hardship release. Contact legal aid or public defender for help. Consider selling vehicle to impound lot to avoid accumulating fees.
Need Help Getting Your Property or Vehicle Back?
If you're having trouble accessing your belongings or can't afford to get your vehicle out of impound, a DUI attorney can help. They can request hearings, negotiate releases, and protect your rights.
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