Denton County Vehicle Impound Guide
Impound Cost Calculator — Denton County, Texas
Calculate how much it will cost to retrieve your vehicle from B&O Towing.
*Estimated fees shown. Actual fees in Denton County may vary. Contact the impound lot directly for exact costs.
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The First 48 Hours Are Critical
After a arrest in Denton County, your vehicle is likely towed to an impound lot. Storage fees accumulate daily, making time your biggest enemy.
What Happens Immediately After Arrest
- 1
Vehicle is towed (usually within 30 minutes of arrest)
- 2
Tow company notifies impound lot (charges start immediately)
- 3
Storage fees begin accruing at $22.85/day in Denton County
- 4
Administrative fees added (varies by lot)
Documents You Need to Retrieve Your Vehicle
- Valid photo ID (driver's license or state ID)
- Vehicle registration or title
- Proof of insurance
- Payment for all fees (see calculator above)
- Release authorization (if not the registered owner)
Can Someone Else Pick Up My Car?
Yes, but they'll need:
- • Written authorization from the registered owner
- • Copy of owner's ID
- • Their own valid ID
- • Proof of insurance in their name or the owner's name
Impound Lot Details
B&O Towing
Call Before You Go
Verify your vehicle is at this lot and confirm the exact amount owed before making the trip. Hours and fees may change without notice.
The Impound “Poverty Trap”
Many people can't afford to get their car out immediately, but waiting only makes it worse.
Here's the vicious cycle:
Can't afford the first 3 days of storage + admin fees
Wait a week to save money → fees double
Can't get to work without car → lose income
Wait 2 weeks → fees triple or quadruple
After 30 days → Car may be auctioned by the lot
What You Can Do
- • Borrow money from family/friends (pay them back later, cheaper than daily fees)
- • Use a credit card (even with interest, cheaper than impound fees)
- • Sell non-essential items quickly
- • Ask your employer for an advance
- • Check if your auto insurance covers towing/storage (some policies do)
The first and most immediate crisis facing a DUI defendant is the seizure of their vehicle. Unlike jurisdictions with a centralized municipal impound lot, Denton County utilizes a decentralized "rotation list" of private Vehicle Storage Facilities (VSFs).
Locating Your Vehicle After a Denton County DUI Arrest
Following a DUI arrest in Denton County, your vehicle is likely impounded by a private towing company operating on a rotation list managed by the City of Denton Police Department (DPD) or the Denton County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO). This means there's no single "County Impound" to contact. To find your car, you’ll need to call the non-emergency police line or the Sheriff’s dispatch during business hours to inquire which company towed your vehicle. There is no online "AutoPound" search tool like you might find in Dallas or Fort Worth.
Likely towing companies include:
- B&O Towing
- All American Towing and Recovery
- Randy’s Towing and Recovery
- Brown & Sons Wrecker Service
Denton County Impound Fees
The daily storage fee at Vehicle Storage Facilities in Denton County is $22.85. A critical point to remember: Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) rules state that a VSF may not charge for more than one day of storage if the vehicle is held for less than 12 hours, even if that period spans two calendar days. Many defendants report being charged for two days immediately, so it's crucial to know this rule and contest it if applicable.
Required Documents for Vehicle Release
To retrieve your vehicle, you'll need the following:
- A valid driver’s license (for the person picking up the vehicle, which may require bringing a licensed third party since your license may be confiscated)
- Proof of ownership (current registration or title)
If your ownership documents are locked inside the impounded car, state law (TDLR) mandates that the VSF must allow you access to the vehicle to retrieve these documents without paying a fee. However, tow yard operators frequently resist this, demanding payment first. Firmly state your right to "retrieve ownership documents" before payment.
Payment Methods
While state law requires Vehicle Storage Facilities to accept credit cards, "system outages" are a common excuse, and cash is often preferred.
Important Considerations & Potential Friction Points
- Lunch Break Trap: Private tow yards in Denton often close for lunch from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM.
- Daily Cut-Off: Many lots effectively stop processing paperwork at 4:30 PM or 5:00 PM, even though state law mandates release availability between 8:00 AM and midnight. Accessing a vehicle after hours may incur a "Gate Fee" or require a specific appointment.
- 12-Hour Rule Enforcement: Be prepared to advocate for your rights regarding the 12-hour storage fee rule.
- Tow Hearing: You have a statutory right to a "Tow Hearing" if you believe the tow lacked probable cause. This must be requested within 14 days of the tow. The filing fee is $41.00.
Tow Hearing Details
The venue for a Tow Hearing is:
Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1 401 W. Hickory St., Suite 227 Denton, TX 76208
Sources
Texas Transportation Code
Denton County Towing Regulations
Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation
Nearby Texas Counties
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