If your car is towed after a DUI arrest in Las Vegas, you will need to locate the impound lot, provide identification and proof of ownership, and pay the applicable towing and storage charges to get it back. If your license has been suspended or revoked, you will also need a licensed driver to drive the vehicle from the lot.
To Locate and Retrieve Your Vehicle:
- Find your car: Search AutoReturn.com or call 311. Having your license plate number and police Event Number can make the search easier.
- Bring your documents: The tow yard may require a photo ID, vehicle registration or title, proof of insurance, and any documentation needed if an authorized agent is retrieving the car.
- Pay the charges: Expect a towing charge plus daily storage fees and potentially other authorized fees. Costs vary by tow company and circumstances.
- Check for a police hold: A vehicle being held for investigation or as evidence may not be immediately available for release.
- Arrange a licensed driver: If you cannot legally drive because your license is suspended or revoked, have someone who is legally permitted to drive accompany you.
Las Vegas DUI Towing and Impound Lots
Las Vegas’s main lots for impounded vehicles after a Nevada DUI arrest include these locations near the I-15:
- Ewing Brothers at 1200 A Street, Las Vegas, NV 89106; (702) 382-9261;
- Quality Towing at 2024 Losee Rd, North Las Vegas, NV 89030; (702) 649-5711;
- Fast Towing at 4220 Donovan Way, North Las Vegas, NV 89030; (702) 383-3278;
- Around the Clock Towing Service at 600 W Bonanza Road, Las Vegas, NV 89106; (702) 378-5591; and
- Big Valley Towing at 2132 Commerce Street, Las Vegas, NV 89030; (702) 233-2869.
In our experience handling Las Vegas DUI cases, it is best to locate the vehicle and contact the tow yard as soon as possible. Storage charges can continue to accrue, and calling ahead lets you confirm exactly what documents, payment, and authorization the lot requires before you make the trip.
Avoiding a Tow after a DUI
After an arrest for driving under the influence in Las Vegas, police officers may allow a non-intoxicated passenger to take the vehicle away. Alternatively, police may permit you to phone family or friends to come by and take possession of the vehicle.
Ultimately, whether a vehicle is towed following a DUI arrest depends on the circumstances and law enforcement’s determination at the scene. If the vehicle is obstructing traffic or otherwise jeopardizing public safety, the police’s priority is to have it removed from the area as soon as possible.
In the DUI cases we handle, whether a vehicle can remain at the scene often comes down to the circumstances of the stop. Having a sober, licensed person available does not guarantee that police will release the vehicle to that person. However, it can give the officer an alternative to having the vehicle towed when the car can otherwise be removed safely and legally.
Which Towing Company Is Used
When law enforcement orders a vehicle removed from a Nevada highway, you may not necessarily get to choose the towing company. Under NRS 484B.443, officers generally must follow any applicable protocol for selecting towing services, which can include a rotational schedule.
The tow operator ordinarily takes the vehicle to its own garage or storage facility unless the officer directs otherwise. An exception may apply when a different course of action is necessary to preserve evidence of a crime.
One practical problem we see is that people sometimes assume their car was taken to the tow yard closest to where they were arrested. That is not necessarily the case. Rather than calling individual tow companies one by one, we recommend checking AutoReturn or calling 311 first to determine exactly where the vehicle was taken.
How Do I Get My Car Out of Impound After a Las Vegas DUI?
The registered owner generally can retrieve an impounded vehicle after satisfying the tow company’s release requirements. An authorized agent of the owner may also be able to retrieve the vehicle. Tow companies may require proof of ownership or authorization, identification and other documentation before releasing the vehicle. Contact the tow yard beforehand to find out exactly what documents it requires.
Note it does not matter if the registered owner is not the vehicle’s primary driver and is not named on the insurance.
The registered owner or agent must produce a photo ID and proof of legal title, such as
- registration papers or
- the actual title.
The registered owner or agent must pay all storage fees not covered by insurance before the lot will release the vehicle. Impound companies usually accept
- cash,
- credit cards,
- money orders, and
- wire transfers.
On average, impound fees are $50 a day, not including towing fees. Some lots add a one-time “lien fee” (often $50 to $100) if the vehicle is not picked up within the first few days, which is separate from the daily storage rate. Also, some lots charge an “after-hours” or “gate fee” if you try to retrieve your vehicle outside of standard business hours.
NRS 706.4479 protects against “runaway” storage bills by capping how many days a tow yard can charge you if they fail to notify you that they have your car:
- If the police ordered your car towed following a crash, fees are capped at 21 days.
- For all other tows (such as illegal parking), fees are capped at 15 days.
Cars that are never picked up may be auctioned off. The time limit varies, but we have seen auctions occurring after 30 days. The impound company can then sue the car owner for any outstanding fees not covered by the auction proceeds.
A common mistake we see is waiting several days to deal with an impounded vehicle because the DUI case itself feels more urgent. The criminal case and the vehicle impound are separate issues, however, and waiting may allow additional storage charges to accumulate.
We recommend contacting the tow yard promptly, asking exactly what documents and payment it requires, and finding out whether there is any law-enforcement hold preventing the vehicle’s release.
If Your License Gets Revoked
If you are the registered owner and have your driver’s license revoked following a Las Vegas DUI arrest, you will be unable to drive away the car from the lot. Therefore, you must bring a licensed driver with you to retrieve the vehicle lawfully.
The length of your driver’s license suspension depends on the case, as the following table shows:
| DUI Offense | Length of Nevada Driver’s License Revocation |
| 1st DUI (within 7 years) | 185 days. However, it is usually possible to keep driving with an ignition interlock device. |
| 2nd DUI (within 7 years) | 1 year. However, it is usually possible to keep driving with an ignition interlock device. |
| Any felony DUI, including a 3rd DUI (within 7 years) | 3 years. However, it is usually possible to keep driving with an ignition interlock device. |
It may be possible to contest a DUI license revocation at a DMV hearing, which is like a mini-trial entirely separate from the criminal DUI case.
We have seen people sometimes resolve the paperwork and payment issues at the tow yard only to discover that they cannot legally drive the vehicle away themselves. If your driving privilege has been revoked, suspended or otherwise restricted, arrange for a properly licensed driver before going to the lot rather than assuming you will be permitted to drive the car home.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I find out exactly which impound lot has my car?
In Las Vegas, the most efficient way to locate a towed vehicle is to visit AutoReturn.com or call the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department’s non-emergency line at 3-1-1. Most DUI-related tows in the city are handled by one of three primary companies:
- Ewing Brothers: (702) 382-9261
- Quality Towing: (702) 649-5711
- Fast Towing: (702) 383-3278
Some cars are instead towed to Around the Clock Towing at (702) 378-5591 or to Big Valley Towing at (702) 233-2869.
What documents do I need to get my car back?
To retrieve your vehicle in Nevada, you generally must be the registered owner or an authorized agent and provide:
- A valid photo ID (driver’s license or passport),
- Proof of ownership (vehicle registration or title),
- Proof of current insurance, and
- Payment for towing and storage fees.
If your license was suspended due to the DUI arrest, you must bring a friend or family member with a valid license to drive the car off the lot.
How long will my car stay impounded after a Las Vegas DUI?
A DUI arrest does not necessarily mean that your vehicle must remain impounded for a fixed number of days. In many cases, the registered owner can retrieve the vehicle after satisfying the tow company’s release requirements and paying the applicable towing and storage charges.
The situation can be different if law enforcement places a hold on the vehicle, such as when the vehicle is being retained as evidence.
How much does it cost to get a car out of impound in Nevada?
Costs vary, but you should expect to pay a base towing fee plus daily storage fees. In Las Vegas, storage fees typically average $50 per day. Be aware that additional costs—such as administrative fees, “after-hours” release fees, or lien processing fees—can quickly increase the total bill.
What other fees can an impound lot charge?
The total cost of getting an impounded car back can include more than the basic towing charge and daily storage. Depending on the circumstances and the tow company’s approved tariff, additional charges may apply for such things as after-hours service, lot visits, administrative processing, lien-related work, auction preparation, additional labor or specialized recovery services.
Because charges vary by tow company and by what services were actually required, vehicle owners should request an itemized bill and retrieve the vehicle promptly when possible. Nevada also requires tow-car operators to accept cash, money orders, credit cards, debit cards and electronic transfers of money for towing services. A towing company may offer a discount for cash payment.
Will car insurance pay my DUI towing and impound fees?
Do not assume that auto insurance will pay all of the costs caused by a DUI-related tow. Whether towing, storage or other impound charges are covered depends on the particular insurance policy and the circumstances of the tow.
Some policies may provide towing coverage while excluding or limiting storage and other impound expenses. Vehicle owners should contact their insurer promptly to determine what, if anything, their policy will reimburse.
Can someone else pick up the car for me?
An authorized agent of the registered owner may be able to retrieve an impounded vehicle. The tow company may require the agent to provide identification, proof of ownership and documentation showing that the owner has authorized the agent to retrieve the vehicle.
Requirements can vary, so contact the tow yard beforehand to find out exactly what documentation it requires. If the person retrieving the vehicle will be driving it from the lot, they must also be legally permitted to drive.
What happens if I do not pick up my car?
If an impounded vehicle remains unclaimed, the towing company may eventually begin the legally required process to sell the vehicle to recover unpaid towing and storage charges. The timing depends on the circumstances and the applicable legal requirements.
If the proceeds from the sale are insufficient to cover the amount owed, the vehicle owner may remain responsible for the unpaid balance.
Can I get my belongings out of an impounded car?
Generally, yes. Nevada law requires tow operators to provide the vehicle owner or the owner’s agent access to a towed vehicle during normal business hours. Tow companies must also have procedures allowing access during periods when they are not normally open for these transactions.
A towing company generally cannot hold personal belongings found inside the vehicle as security for unpaid towing or storage charges. However, access to the vehicle or its contents may be restricted if law enforcement has directed the towing company to preserve the vehicle or property, such as when it is being held as evidence.
If you need medication, identification, a phone, work equipment or other personal belongings from an impounded vehicle, contact the tow yard to ask about its procedures for accessing the vehicle.
Are police required to tow my car after a DUI arrest?
Not necessarily. Depending on the circumstances, an officer may allow a sober, licensed passenger to drive the vehicle away rather than have it towed. In some rare cases, they may allow you to call a friend to pick up the car from the scene if it can be parked safely and legally in the meantime.
Can I challenge an unlawful tow in Nevada?
It depends on why your vehicle was towed. Nevada law allows a vehicle owner to file a complaint for expedited relief in Justice Court for certain allegedly unlawful tows from parking facilities or private property. This procedure generally applies to vehicles towed under NRS 487.037 or NRS 487.038, rather than to every vehicle impounded by police following a DUI arrest.
For a qualifying tow, the complaint must generally be filed within 21 calendar days while the vehicle is still being stored, and the towing and storage costs cannot exceed $15,000. The Justice Court can determine whether the tow was lawful and, if it was unlawful, order the vehicle released and determine who is responsible for the towing and storage costs.
A vehicle that police order towed following a DUI arrest may fall under different Nevada laws and procedures. Therefore, DUI defendants who believe their vehicle was unlawfully impounded should consult an attorney about what remedies may be available in their particular case.
What information should I have when I call 311?
If you call 311 to locate your vehicle after a Las Vegas DUI arrest, it can help to have identifying information from the incident available. This may include the vehicle’s license plate number and, if you received one, the police Event Number associated with the arrest or tow. Providing these details can make it easier for law enforcement to determine when the vehicle was towed and where it was taken.
Additional Reading
For more in-depth information, refer to these scholarly articles:
- An Evaluation of the General Deterrent Effect of Vehicle Impoundment on Suspended and Revoked Drivers in California – Journal of Safety Research.
- An evaluation of the specific deterrent effects of vehicle impoundment on suspended, revoked, and unlicensed drivers in California – Accident Analysis & Prevention.
- Towing Can Devastate a Poor Family: The Solution Is to Reduce the Fees – Berkeley La Raza Law Journal.
- Safety and Other Impacts of Vehicle Impound Enforcement – Institute of Transportation Studies, University of California at Berkeley.
- To Tow Or Not to Tow: The Deterrence Effect of a Municipal Ordinance – Criminal Law Bulletin.
