How Much Impound Car Costs New Laws and Release Guide 2026

Worried about the cost to get your car out of impound? You are not alone; many people are shocked by the final bill and the confusing process. This is a stressful situation that can quickly become a financial burden.

The total cost to retrieve an impounded car typically ranges from $300 to over $2,500. This price includes a combination of a one-time administrative release fee paid to the police, initial towing charges, and daily storage fees that accumulate quickly. The final amount depends heavily on the reason for the impound, your vehicle’s type, and how many days the car remains in the lot.

Based on an in-depth analysis of official fee schedules and real-world data, this guide provides a clear breakdown of every cost you will face. You’ll discover the exact steps to retrieve your vehicle, learn about new laws in 2026 that protect you from unfair charges, and find out what to do if you can’t afford the fees.

Key Facts

• Wide Cost Spectrum: The total cost can range from as low as $300 for a simple, one-day recovery to over $2,700 for a vehicle held for an extended period, demonstrating the financial urgency of retrieving your car quickly.
• Three Primary Fees: Your final bill is a combination of three distinct charges: the government-mandated administrative release fee, the initial fee for towing the vehicle, and the daily storage fee charged by the impound lot.
• Daily Fees Are the Biggest Threat: Daily storage fees, which can range from $42 to over $100 per day, are the single biggest factor that causes impound costs to escalate into the thousands.
• New Consumer Protections Exist: As of 2026, new legislation in California (AB 987) provides consumers with enhanced protections against what are legally defined as “presumptively unreasonable” fees.
• Abandonment Isn’t a Free Pass: If you abandon your vehicle, the tow yard can sell it at auction and may use a collections agency to pursue you for any remaining balance, which can negatively impact your credit score.

How Much Does It Cost To Get Your Car Out of Impound in 2026?

The total expense to release a car from impound typically starts between $300 and $500 for a simple one-day incident but can easily surpass $2,500 for a 30-day hold. This significant range is why understanding the fee structure is so critical. Our analysis of official data from various California cities shows that the final bill is not one single fee but a combination of separate charges from both the police and the private tow yard.

Think of the total cost as a puzzle with three main pieces. The first is a fixed administrative fee you pay to the city. The second is the initial towing cost to get your car to the lot. The third, and most dangerous, is the daily storage fee that acts like a ticking clock, adding to your bill every 24 hours.

Real-World Cost Scenario: A Reddit user reported paying $2,700 to get their $2,000 car out of impound, highlighting how fees can quickly exceed a vehicle’s value. This is primarily due to accumulating daily storage charges.

The final cost is influenced by several key factors:
* Reason for Impound: A DUI-related impound almost always involves a higher administrative fee than one for expired registration. For example, Fullerton charges a $285 admin fee for DUIs versus $220 for other incidents.
* Vehicle Type: Heavier vehicles like large trucks cost more to tow and store than a standard passenger car or motorcycle.
* Duration of Stay: This is the most critical factor. Every day your car sits in the lot, another storage fee is added to your total.

What Are the Different Fees That Make Up the Total Impound Cost?

The total cost of an impound is made up of three primary charges: the Administrative Release Fee ($75-$285+) paid to the police, the Initial Towing Fee ($136-$400+), and the Daily Storage Fee ($42-$100+ per day) which accrues until the vehicle is picked up.. Understanding each of these components is the first step to feeling in control of the situation. From our experience analyzing these cases, people are often most confused about why they have to pay two different places—the police department and the tow yard.

Here is a breakdown of each fee and a comparison of costs across several California cities based on their official fee schedules for 2026.

What Is the Administrative Release Fee?

The administrative release fee is a charge imposed by the local city or county government to cover their costs for the removal, storage, and release of an impounded vehicle. This fee is authorized under California Vehicle Code §22850.5 and is paid directly to the police department or other law enforcement agency that ordered the tow, not to the tow yard. It is a non-negotiable prerequisite for getting the release paperwork for your car.

The cost varies significantly by city. For instance, the administrative fee in Merced County is $75, while in Daly City it’s $240, and in Ventura, it’s a flat $280. DUI-related impounds often carry the highest administrative fees as a punitive measure, as seen with Fullerton’s $285 charge for such incidents.

How Much Are Daily Storage Fees?

Daily storage fees for an impounded car average between $42 and $100 per day for a standard vehicle. These fees are the primary reason your bill can escalate into thousands of dollars. The charge is set by the private tow yard or Official Police Garage (OPG) and begins accruing the moment your car arrives, with a new fee added every 24 hours.

Think of it as a ticking clock. The urgency to retrieve your car cannot be overstated. A car left for just two weeks could accumulate over $1,000 in storage fees alone. For example, Los Angeles charges $68 per day for a standard vehicle. Rates are typically higher for larger vehicles and lower for motorcycles. It’s also common for a city parking tax (often 10%) to be added on top of the daily rate, further increasing the cost.

What Are the Steps to Get Your Car Out of Impound?

To get your car out of impound, you must first go to the police department that ordered the tow with your ID, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance. After paying the administrative release fee, you will receive a vehicle release form. Take this form to the tow yard, pay their towing and storage fees, and you can then retrieve your vehicle. Following these steps in the correct order is crucial to avoid repeat visits and added frustration.

Based on our practical experience helping people through this process, here is the exact step-by-step guide to follow.

### 1. Gather Your Documents

This is the most important step. You will be turned away without the correct paperwork. Before you go anywhere, make sure you have:
* A valid, government-issued photo ID (e.g., driver’s license, passport).
* Proof of current vehicle registration.
* Proof of current vehicle insurance.

Pro-Tip: If you are not the registered owner, you will need a notarized letter from the owner authorizing you to retrieve the vehicle.

### 2. Go to the Police Department

Visit the front desk of the law enforcement agency that had your car towed (e.g., Fullerton Police Department, CHP). This is where you will present your documents and pay the city’s fee. Do not go to the tow yard first; they cannot release your vehicle without the police department’s paperwork.

### 3. Pay the Administrative Fee & Get the Release Form

Pay the city’s administrative release fee. These fees vary widely, from around $75 to over $285. Once you pay, you will receive the crucial “Vehicle Release Form.” This form is your golden ticket to the next step.

### 4. Go to the Impound Lot

Take your documents and the newly acquired Vehicle Release Form to the tow yard where your car is being stored.

Pro-Tip: Call the impound lot before you go. Confirm their business hours, the total amount you owe them, and what forms of payment they accept. Some may offer a small discount for paying with cash.

### 5. Pay Towing & Storage Fees

Present your paperwork to the tow yard staff and pay the final bill for all towing and accrued storage costs. This is typically the largest portion of the total cost.

### 6. Inspect and Retrieve Your Vehicle

Before you drive away, do a quick inspection of your vehicle to ensure no damage occurred during the towing or storage process. Once you are satisfied, you are free to go.

How Does California’s AB 987 Law Affect Impound Fees in 2026?

California’s AB 987 law, which was chaptered on October 6, 2025, provides significant new consumer protections against excessive and unfair impound fees. This legislation is a critical tool for vehicle owners, as it expands the legal definition of “presumptively unreasonable fees,” making it easier to challenge unjust charges. Understanding this new law gives you power and knowledge that most people in this situation lack.

This is a crucial piece of information that many older guides miss. The law specifically targets predatory practices that have historically inflated impound bills. Current methodologies for assessing fees must now comply with these new standards.

Key protections under AB 987 include making the following practices illegal:
* Holiday Markups: Charging more for vehicle storage on a state holiday than the standard daily rate.
* Emergency Scene Towing Fees: Charging towing fees when a tow truck operator is directed by a law enforcement officer to remove a vehicle during a state or local emergency.
* Excessive Early Storage Fees: The law reinforces that charging fees more than 50% above the daily storage rate when a vehicle is recovered in the first 12 hours is unacceptable.

Essentially, AB 987 aims to bring more transparency and fairness to the towing and storage industry. If you feel your bill includes charges like these, you can now reference this law when disputing the fees.

What Can You Do If You Can’t Afford the Impound Fees?

If you cannot afford to get your car out of impound, you have a few options, but you must act quickly. The first step is to politely speak to the impound lot manager to ask about a payment plan. Some cities, like San Francisco and Sacramento, also offer low-income fee waiver or reduction programs. Your final resort is to seek help from local charities or community action agencies.

This is often the most stressful part of the entire ordeal. Facing a bill of hundreds or even thousands of dollars can feel hopeless, but ignoring the problem is the worst thing you can do. Here are your options, explained.

### 1. Negotiate a Payment Plan

While not required by law, some tow yards may be willing to arrange a payment plan, especially if you can offer a significant down payment. Speak to a supervisor calmly and politely. Explain your situation and ask if they have any hardship options. It is not guaranteed, but it is always worth asking.

### 2. Check for Low-Income Programs

Some municipalities in California have programs to help those in financial distress. Research your specific city or county to see if they offer a low-income fee waiver or a reduction program. These programs often require extensive documentation of your income status but can provide significant relief.

### 3. Seek Community Assistance

Contact local community action agencies, churches, or non-profits like The Salvation Army. Some of these organizations have emergency funds set aside to help people with critical expenses like retrieving a vehicle needed for work.

### 4. Understand the Consequences of Non-Payment

If you cannot pay the fees and must abandon the vehicle, you need to understand what happens next. The impound lot will place a lien on your vehicle. After a set period (usually around 30 days), they will sell it at a public auction to recoup their costs. This does not mean your debt is gone. If the auction price doesn’t cover the full amount of the fees, the tow company can send the remaining balance to a collections agency, which will negatively affect your credit.

FAQs About how much to get your car out of impound

### What happens if I just abandon my car at the impound lot?

If you abandon your vehicle, the impound lot will place a lien on it and sell it at a public auction to recover their fees. If the sale price does not cover the total costs, the towing company can send the remaining balance to a collections agency, which can negatively impact your credit score. You will still be responsible for the debt.

### Can someone else get my car out of impound for me?

Yes, but they will need specific authorization from you, the registered owner. You must provide them with an original, notarized letter authorizing them to act on your behalf. If you are incarcerated, a letter signed by you and a custody officer is required. The authorized person must have a valid driver’s license and be prepared to pay all fees.

### Do I have to pay if my car was stolen and then impounded?

Generally, you are exempt from the administrative release fee if you can provide a police report proving the vehicle was stolen at the time of the tow. However, you may still be responsible for the initial towing and storage fees, though you should check if your auto insurance policy covers these costs for stolen vehicle recovery.

### How long do I have to get my car out of impound?

You typically have about 30 days to retrieve your vehicle before the impound lot can begin the lien sale process. However, storage fees accrue daily, so it is financially critical to retrieve your vehicle as soon as possible. The total cost can become unmanageable in just one or two weeks.

### Can I get my personal belongings out of my impounded car?

Yes, in most cases you have the right to retrieve personal property from your impounded vehicle before paying the fees. However, you cannot take any items that are attached to the car, such as the stereo or wheels. You will need to coordinate with the impound lot and present your ID to gain access to the vehicle.

### Why is the impound fee so high for a DUI?

Impound fees for DUI offenses are higher because they are set by city ordinance as a punitive measure to deter drunk driving. The higher administrative fee, such as the $285 charged in Fullerton, reflects the increased public safety risk and administrative burden associated with a DUI arrest and vehicle seizure.

### Will my insurance pay for impound fees?

It depends on your policy and the reason for the impound. If your car was impounded after being stolen or involved in an accident where you were not at fault, your comprehensive coverage may pay for towing and storage fees. However, insurance will almost never cover impound costs resulting from a DUI or driving with a suspended license.

### What if my car was impounded for expired registration?

You must pay the renewal fees at the DMV and get at least a temporary operating permit before the police will issue a vehicle release form. You cannot get the car out until the registration issue is resolved. The impound lot will not release the car without the police department’s official release paperwork.

### Can I get impound fees reduced?

It is possible in some specific situations. Some cities like San Francisco and Sacramento offer fee reduction or waiver programs for documented low-income individuals. You can also request a post-storage hearing to contest the validity of the tow; if you win, the fees may be refunded.

### Is there a discount for paying with cash?

Yes, some jurisdictions, particularly in Los Angeles, may offer a small discount if you pay by cash or check instead of a credit card. This is legally permitted under California Civil Code Section 1748.1(a) and is designed to offset credit card processing fees for the business.

Final Thoughts on Your Impounded Car

This guide has broken down the costs, steps, and legal rights associated with retrieving an impounded vehicle in 2026. Here are the most important things to remember:

• Costs Add Up Fast: The total cost to release a car starts around $300-$500 but can quickly exceed $2,500, primarily due to daily storage fees of $42-$100+ that accrue every 24 hours.
• Three Core Fees: Your final bill is composed of three parts: the police’s administrative release fee ($75-$285+), the initial towing charge ($136+), and the cumulative daily storage fees.
• Process is Two-Step: You must first go to the police department with your documents to pay the administrative fee and get a release form, then go to the separate tow yard to pay their fees and retrieve the car.
• New Law (AB 987) Adds Protections: As of 2026, California’s AB 987 law limits unreasonable fees, such as charging extra for storage on holidays, giving consumers more power to dispute excessive charges.
• Financial Hardship Has Options: If you can’t afford the fees, immediately try to negotiate a payment plan, check for city-specific low-income waiver programs, or seek help from local charities.
• Documents Are Non-Negotiable: You absolutely must have a valid driver’s license (or a licensed driver with you), current vehicle registration, and proof of insurance to get your car back.
• Abandonment Is Not a Solution: Leaving your car at the lot does not erase the debt; the tow yard will sell the car and can send you to collections for the remaining balance, damaging your credit.

The most critical takeaway is that time is your greatest enemy; daily storage fees are designed to escalate costs rapidly. By acting quickly, gathering your documents, and understanding the two-step release process, you can minimize the financial damage and stressful uncertainty. If you believe your fees are unjust, remember that new laws like AB 987 provide you with more protections than ever before. For those facing financial hardship, don’t despair—proactively exploring payment plans or assistance programs is your best course of action. You are now equipped with the necessary knowledge to navigate this challenging process confidently and get back on the road.