Your car and license are handled by separate systems, but impound and suspension often happen together
When your license is suspended, law enforcement can impound your vehicle if you're caught driving. The suspension itself comes from your state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or equivalent agency — usually triggered by unpaid traffic tickets, DUI convictions, or failure to pay child support. The impound is a separate action by police or a towing company, but the two problems compound each other: you can't legally drive to retrieve your car, and you can't retrieve it without addressing the underlying reason your license was suspended.
The when ready consequence is that your car sits in an impound lot, where storage fees accumulate daily — typically $25 to $75 per day depending on your location. You cannot get it back until you've paid those fees and resolved the suspension. This guide explains what happens at each stage, who you contact, and what you need to do to get your vehicle released and your driving privileges restored.
Key Takeaways
- Your suspended license and impounded car are two separate problems requiring two separate solutions — you must address the suspension before you can legally drive the car away.
- Impound fees accumulate daily and can reach hundreds of dollars within weeks, so the faster you act, the less you will owe in storage costs.
- You can retrieve your car before your license is reinstated if you have someone else drive it away, but you still must pay all impound and towing fees first.
- The reason for your suspension determines what you must do to restore your license — unpaid tickets, DUI, or child support arrears each have different pathways.
- Your state DMV website or a local traffic attorney can tell you the exact reason for your suspension and the exact steps to reverse it.
Finding out why your license was suspended
Before you can fix the suspension, you need to know what caused it. Visit your state's DMV website and look for a section called "Check License Status," "License Information," or "Driving Record." You will need your driver's license number and date of birth. Some states let you check online; others require you to call or visit in person.
The suspension notice should also have arrived by mail before your license was actually suspended — check your mailbox and any junk mail folders for a letter from your state DMV. That letter will state the reason (unpaid ticket, DUI conviction, failure to pay child support, or another cause) and sometimes includes the steps to reinstate your license.
If you cannot find the notice or access the DMV website, call your state's DMV directly. Have your license number ready. They will tell you the exact reason and what you must do next. This step takes 15 minutes and is essential — you cannot move forward without knowing what caused the suspension.
Locating your impounded vehicle
Once you know your license is suspended, find out where your car is. If you were pulled over and the car was towed on the spot, the officer should have given you a tow receipt with the impound lot's name and location. If you did not receive one, call the police department's non-emergency line and give them your name, the date of the stop, and your vehicle's license plate number. They can tell you which towing company has the car.
If your car was impounded but you were not present, check your mail for a notice from the towing company or the city. That notice will include the lot's phone number and address. You can also search online for "impound lots near me" and call each one with your license plate number to confirm your vehicle is there.
Once you locate the lot, call and ask for the total amount owed — this includes the towing fee (usually $150 to $300), the impound fee, and daily storage charges. Ask whether they accept payment by phone or require you to visit in person. Some lots will release the car to someone else if you provide written authorization, which matters if your license is suspended and you cannot drive it away yourself.
Paying impound fees and retrieving your vehicle
You must pay all impound and towing fees before the lot will release your car. The total typically ranges from $300 to $800 depending on how long the car has been there and your location. Ask the lot whether they accept credit cards, checks, or cash only — policies vary.
If you cannot pay the full amount when ready, some lots offer payment plans, though this is uncommon. Call ahead and ask. If the lot will not negotiate, you may be able to get a short-term loan from a credit union or ask a family member to help cover the cost. The longer you wait, the higher the storage fees climb.
Once you have paid, you can retrieve the car — but here is the critical point: you cannot legally drive it away if your license is suspended. You have two options. First, have someone else with a valid license pick it up and drive it. Second, arrange for the impound lot to release the car to a licensed mechanic or towing company that will transport it to a safe location for you. Some lots will do this for an additional fee.
Reinstating your suspended license
The steps to reinstate your license depend entirely on why it was suspended. If it was suspended for unpaid traffic tickets, you must pay the tickets in full or set up a payment plan with the court. Contact the court listed on your ticket or call your county clerk's office. Once the tickets are paid, the court will notify the DMV, and your license will be reinstated within one to two weeks.
If your suspension was due to a DUI conviction, reinstatement is more complex. You may need to complete a substance abuse program, pay a reinstatement fee (typically $100 to $500), and sometimes install an ignition interlock device on your vehicle. Your state DMV website will list all requirements. Some states require you to file proof of completion with the DMV before your license is restored.
If your suspension was for unpaid child support, contact your state's child support enforcement agency. You will need to either pay the arrears in full or enter into a payment agreement. Once the agency confirms the arrangement, they will notify the DMV and your license will be reinstated.
In all cases, you will likely need to pay a reinstatement fee to the DMV — this is separate from any fines or court costs and typically ranges from $50 to $300. Check your state's DMV website for the exact amount and whether you can pay online or must pay in person.
Timeline and what to expect
The entire process — from locating your car to getting your license back — usually takes two to six weeks, depending on how quickly you address the underlying cause. Impound fees continue to accumulate during this time, so speed matters financially.
If your suspension was for unpaid tickets, you can often resolve it in one week: pay the tickets on day one, the DMV processes the reinstatement within three to five business days, and you retrieve your car once you have paid impound fees. If your suspension was for DUI, you may need to complete a program that takes weeks or months, which delays reinstatement.
Once the DMV reinstates your license, you will receive a new license in the mail within one to two weeks, or you can request an when ready replacement at your local DMV office for a small fee. You do not need to wait for the physical license to arrive before you drive — your reinstatement is effective when ready in the DMV system, and police can verify it on their computer.
Getting help if you are stuck
If you cannot afford impound fees or reinstatement costs, contact a local legal aid organization or traffic attorney. Many offer free or low-cost consultations and can sometimes negotiate with the court or impound lot on your behalf. Search online for "legal aid near me" or "traffic attorney [your city]."
If you believe your license was suspended in error, request a hearing with your state DMV. This must usually be done within 30 days of the suspension notice. The DMV website will explain how to request a hearing and what documents to bring. An attorney can represent you at the hearing, though it is not required.
If you cannot retrieve your car yourself due to the suspension, ask a trusted friend or family member to handle it. Give them written authorization (the impound lot can provide a form) and the payment method. This is legal and common — the lot does not require the car's owner to be present, only proof of ownership and payment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get my car back before my license is reinstated?
Yes. You can have someone else with a valid license pick it up and drive it away, or arrange for a towing company to transport it. You must still pay all impound and towing fees. Your suspended license does not prevent you from owning the car or having someone else retrieve it — it only prevents you from driving it yourself.
How much will impound fees cost me?
Towing typically costs $150 to $300, and daily storage ranges from $25 to $75 depending on your location and the impound lot. If your car sits for three weeks, storage alone could be $525 to $1,575. The total bill is usually $500 to $1,000 for a three-week impound, but varies widely by location.
What if I cannot pay the impound fees?
Call the impound lot and ask about payment plans — some offer them, though they are uncommon. Contact a local legal aid organization or traffic attorney, who may negotiate on your behalf. In rare cases, nonprofits or community organizations help with impound fees, though availability varies by location.
How long does it take to reinstate my license after I pay the tickets?
If you pay unpaid tickets, the court notifies the DMV within one to three business days, and your license is reinstated within one to two weeks. You can verify reinstatement by checking your DMV account online or calling the DMV. You do not need to wait for a new physical license to arrive before you drive legally.
What if I was not the one driving when the car was impounded?
You are still responsible for impound fees because you own the vehicle. The person who was driving may be responsible for the underlying ticket or violation, but the impound charges fall to the registered owner. You can pursue reimbursement from the driver separately, but the impound lot will not release the car until you pay.