Horry County Vehicle Impound Guide

Getting Your Car Back After DUI Arrest in Horry County

You’ve just been arrested for DUI in Horry County, South Carolina. It's a stressful time, and one of your immediate concerns is likely, "Where is my car?" and "How do I get it back?" This guide provides practical information to help you navigate the vehicle impound process and retrieve your vehicle as quickly as possible. Time is of the essence – fees accumulate daily!

Your Vehicle After a DUI Arrest

When you are arrested for DUI in Horry County, your vehicle is typically impounded. This is standard procedure to ensure public safety and prevent further illegal activity. Impoundment means your car is towed to a designated lot and held until you (or someone authorized) retrieve it after fulfilling specific requirements and paying associated fees. Understanding this process is crucial to minimizing costs and getting back on your feet.

Where Is Your Car?

Finding your vehicle is the first step. It's usually towed to an official impound lot designated by the Horry County Police Department or the Horry County Sheriff's Office.

Official Impound Lots in Horry County

Unfortunately, we don't have specific impound lot data for Horry County in our database just yet. However, we are working hard to gather that information. In the meantime...

How to Find Your Vehicle

• Call Horry County Police/Sheriff: Your best bet is to contact the Horry County Police Department or the Horry County Sheriff's Office directly.
• Horry County Police Department:
• Horry County Sheriff's Office:
• Reference your case number: When you call, have your case number or booking number ready. This will help them quickly locate your vehicle's impound location.
• Most vehicles towed within 24 hours of arrest: Your car is usually towed to the impound lot within 24 hours of your arrest. If you're having trouble locating it, call the police or sheriff's office again, providing them with the arrest location and time.

What You Need to Retrieve Your Vehicle

Before you can retrieve your vehicle, you'll need to gather the necessary documents and be prepared to pay the fees.

Required Documents

• Valid driver's license (or someone with a valid license): You, or the person retrieving the vehicle, must have a valid driver's license.
• Vehicle registration: Proof of ownership is essential.
• Proof of insurance: Your vehicle must be insured.
• Cash or credit card for fees: Impound lots typically accept cash or credit cards. Confirm acceptable payment methods with the specific impound lot beforehand.

If You Don't Have a Valid License

If your license is suspended due to the DUI arrest, you can still get your car back, but you’ll need someone else to pick it up.

• Have someone else pick it up: A friend or family member with a valid driver's license can retrieve the vehicle on your behalf.
• They need:
• Their valid driver's license
• Authorization from you (a signed letter authorizing them to pick up the vehicle)
• Vehicle title or registration (proving ownership)

Costs & Fees in Horry County

The costs associated with vehicle impoundment can add up quickly, so understanding the fee structure is crucial.

Typical Fees

• Towing fee: Expect to pay between $150 and $300 for the towing service.
• Daily storage: Daily storage fees typically range from $20 to $50 per day. This is where costs can escalate rapidly.
• Administrative fees: There may be administrative fees charged by the impound lot, typically in the range of $[range - we need to find this].
• Release fee: A release fee of $[amount - we need to find this] might also be applicable.

IMPORTANT: These fees accumulate daily. The longer you wait, the more expensive it becomes to retrieve your vehicle. Act immediately to minimize costs.

Payment Methods

[We need data on acceptable payment methods for Horry County impound lots. This section will be updated with that information.] Generally, most impound lots accept cash and major credit cards. It's always best to call ahead to confirm.

Timeline

Within 24 Hours

The best-case scenario is to retrieve your vehicle within 24 hours of impoundment. This minimizes daily storage fees and prevents the total cost from spiraling.

After 30 Days

If your vehicle remains unclaimed after 30 days, the impound lot has the right to sell it at a lien sale to recover their costs. You'll lose your vehicle and potentially face further financial consequences.

If You Can't Afford the Fees

Facing a DUI arrest is already financially challenging. If you're struggling to afford the impound fees, explore these options:

Options

• Borrow from family/friends: Reaching out to loved ones for financial assistance can be a viable solution.
• Payment plans (some lots offer this): Inquire with the impound lot about payment plan options. Some may be willing to work with you on a payment schedule.
• Sign vehicle over to the impound lot (avoid debt but lose car): As a last resort, you can sign the vehicle over to the impound lot. This avoids accruing further debt but means you'll lose ownership of your car.

What NOT to Do

• Don't wait - fees add up fast: Procrastination will only worsen the situation. Take action immediately.
• Don't abandon the vehicle: Abandoning your vehicle can lead to further legal penalties and financial burdens.

Special Situations

If Your Car Was Evidence

If your car is being held as evidence in your DUI case, the police may retain it for a longer period.

• May be held longer by police: Contact your attorney to determine when the vehicle will be released.
• Get release authorization first: You'll need written authorization from the police or the court before the impound lot will release the vehicle.

If Someone Else Owns the Car

If the vehicle is registered to someone else (e.g., a family member), the registered owner has the right to retrieve it, regardless of your DUI situation.

• Registered owner can retrieve regardless of your situation: The registered owner is not affected by your arrest (unless they were involved in the DUI).
• They'll need proof of ownership: They'll need to present their driver's license, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance.

After Retrieval

Once you retrieve your vehicle, take these steps:

Check Your Vehicle

• Document any damage immediately: Thoroughly inspect your vehicle for any damage that may have occurred during towing or while in the impound lot.
• Take photos: Photograph any damage as evidence.
• Report damage to the impound lot manager: Immediately report any damage to the impound lot manager and file a written complaint.

Horry County Impound Lot Locations

[We will populate this section with a detailed list of impound lot locations in Horry County, including addresses, phone numbers, hours of operation, and map references, as soon as we gather the necessary data.]

This guide provides a starting point for navigating the vehicle impound process after a DUI arrest in Horry County. Remember to act quickly, gather the necessary documents, and understand your options to minimize costs and retrieve your vehicle as soon as possible. Consult with a qualified DUI attorney to discuss your legal options and protect your rights.