What Happens to Your Car After a DUI Arrest in California?

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If you are arrested for DUI in California, you may wonder what will happen to your vehicle. The outcome depends on the circumstances at the scene and the decisions made by the responding law enforcement officer.

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Will My Car Be Towed?

Officers generally have discretion regarding what happens to a vehicle following a DUI arrest.

If the vehicle is legally parked and is not obstructing traffic or creating a hazard, an officer may choose to leave it where it is. However, the officer may also decide to have the vehicle towed and impounded.

Officers generally will not leave a vehicle in a location where they believe the driver may immediately return and attempt to drive it.

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If Your Vehicle Is Impounded

If your vehicle is towed, it will typically be taken to an impound or tow yard.

After you are released from jail, you will generally receive information about where your vehicle has been taken. You will then need to contact the tow yard and pay any applicable towing and storage fees before the vehicle can be released.

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Storage Fees Can Add Up Quickly

Storage fees continue to accumulate while a vehicle remains in the tow yard.

These fees can increase over time and, in some situations, may eventually exceed the value of the vehicle itself.

For that reason, retrieve the vehicle as soon as reasonably possible or communicating with the tow yard if you do not intend to reclaim it.

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Understanding the Financial Impact

Even if a vehicle is ultimately surrendered, storage and related charges may continue to create financial obligations depending on the circumstances.

Understanding what happens after a vehicle is impounded can help drivers make informed decisions following a DUI arrest.