20-Day Impound and Getting Your Car Back in Tucson
(Updated) Arizona law allows law enforcement officers to impound a vehicle for 20 days under certain circumstances. This was previously a 30-day impound, which is why you may still see it referred to as a “30-day impound.”
Under A.R.S. § 28-3511, a vehicle may be impounded when a driver meets certain conditions specified by Arizona law. These can include driving while the person's driving privilege is suspended or revoked under certain circumstances, driving without ever having been issued a valid driver's license, violating ignition interlock requirements, and certain DUI-related offenses.
(Updated) Because the circumstances that can result in an impound have changed over time, you should review the current version of A.R.S. § 28-3511 or speak with an attorney about the facts of your particular case.
Where Will My Car Be Taken?
(Updated) If your vehicle is impounded in Tucson or Pima County, Gary's Towing handles impounded vehicles for the Tucson Police Department and the Pima County Sheriff's Department.
Gary's Towing
5131 E. Drexel Road
Tucson, AZ 85706
(520) 574-9161
If your vehicle was impounded by the Pima County Sheriff's Department, you generally cannot simply go to the towing company and pick it up. You must first obtain authorization for release from the Sheriff's Department Vehicle Impound Unit.
Pima County Sheriff's Department
Vehicle Impound Unit
1650 E. Benson Highway, Suite B
Tucson, AZ 85714
Monday-Friday
8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
How Much Does a 20-Day Impound Cost?
(Updated) Impound fees can become expensive very quickly.
According to the Pima County Sheriff's Department, current charges include:
- $150 administrative fee
- $165 tow charge
- $6.80 per mile
- $25 per day for storage
(Updated) The Sheriff's Department currently estimates the minimum cost of a 20-day impound at $840 plus mileage.
Additional charges may apply depending on the circumstances of the tow and how long the vehicle remains in storage.
How Do I Get My Vehicle Back?
If the Pima County Sheriff's Department impounded your vehicle, you must first receive authorization from the Vehicle Impound Unit before going to the towing company.
(Updated) The Sheriff's Department states that you will generally need:
- A valid driver's license
- Proof of insurance matching the vehicle's VIN
- Proof of ownership or other required vehicle documentation
Once the Sheriff's Department authorizes the release, you can take the release paperwork to the towing company and pay the applicable towing and storage charges.
Can I Get My Car Back Before 20 Days?
(Updated) Possibly.
Arizona law allows vehicles to be released before the end of the 20-day impound period in certain circumstances.
For example, the Pima County Sheriff's Department states that a vehicle may be eligible for early release if the driver's driving privilege has been reinstated.
Other circumstances may also allow an owner to obtain an early release. These can include situations involving a stolen vehicle, certain rental or bailment situations, or an owner who was not the driver at the time of the incident.
In some cases, a spouse or other qualifying owner may be able to enter into an agreement that the person whose conduct resulted in the impound will not drive the vehicle for a specified period.
Whether you qualify for early release depends on the circumstances of the impound.
Can I Challenge the Impound?
(Updated) Yes. Arizona law provides a procedure for requesting a hearing regarding the validity of a vehicle impound.
The Pima County Sheriff's Department states that a person has 10 days after the vehicle is immobilized or impounded to request a hearing.
Because this deadline is relatively short, you should act quickly if you believe your vehicle was improperly impounded.
What Happens After 20 Days?
(Updated) A vehicle is generally eligible for release after the 20-day impound period, provided the requirements for release have been satisfied and the applicable fees have been paid.
Do not assume that the vehicle will automatically be released or that you can simply arrive at the towing company on the 20th day. If the Pima County Sheriff's Department ordered the impound, contact the Vehicle Impound Unit and make sure you have the documentation necessary to obtain authorization for release.
What If I Am Found Not Guilty?
Being found not guilty of the criminal or traffic charge does not automatically invalidate a 20-day vehicle impound in Arizona. The impound and the underlying criminal case are separate proceedings.
A vehicle owner may request an immobilization or post-storage hearing to challenge whether there were reasonable grounds for the impound. If the hearing determines that reasonable grounds were not established, the impounding law enforcement agency is responsible for the costs of immobilization, towing and storage.
However, an acquittal or dismissal of the underlying charge does not by itself mean that the original impound was improper or that towing and storage charges will be refunded.
Talk to a Tucson Criminal Defense Attorney
A vehicle impound can be more than an inconvenience. Between administrative fees, towing charges, mileage and daily storage costs, the expense can add up quickly.
If your vehicle was impounded following an arrest or traffic-related offense, or you believe your vehicle qualifies for early release, an attorney can help you understand your options and the underlying criminal or traffic case.
(Updated September 2026)
Pima County charges an administrative fee of $150.00 for the process. The towing hookup fee is $163.00 and $3.50 per mile. Vehicle storage is $15.00 per day, making a 30 day impound cost a minimum of $678.00 plus the towing mileage.
The City of Tucson’s rates are slightly higher. On top of the $150.00 admin fee paid to the city, plus fines, the towing fee for Gary’s Towing is $164 for the hookup and $4.75 per mile for a two axle passenger vehicle. Commercial vehicles and multi-axled vehicles come at higher rates. Storage fees are $15 per day.
These rates are always subject to change. They can go up annually, and sometimes, vehicle owners will be hit with extra charges relating to the towing process. Calling the vendor directly is the best way to get the exact figure you will owe if you want to retrieve your car.
Getting Your Car Back from Impound
In order to retrieve your vehicle from impound, you need to meet a certain set of requirements. The first of which is paying off all of your fines or completing whatever task you failed to complete that lead to driver’s license suspension. Make sure you have all documentation in order and you’ve accounted for every penny of your costs. You may need to bring a judge’s order.
After you’ve resolved the financial situation and met the criteria to become eligible for license reinstatement, you must bring all the proof to the MVD. At the MVD, they will review the documentation you provide and make a determination regarding your license. Your license may be released and reinstated only if you have satisfied all of the court’s requirements.
Bring your reinstated license and proof of payment and/or completion of requirements to the vehicle division of the law enforcement agency that impounded your car.
Tucson City Police Impound:
Westside Police Service Center
1310 W. Miracle Mile,
Tucson, AZ 85705
The impound lobby at the Westside Police Service Center is a smaller lobby located off of the main lobby. The lobby is located to the right of the front desk, and there are signs to point you in the right direction. The lobby is open Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM and is closed on holidays.
Here you will pay the $150 administrative fee, plus what was already paid to the courts. They then issue paperwork releasing the car. Then one pays Gary’s Towing separately for the towing and storage fees under their contract.
Pima County Sheriff’s Department Impound:
Pima County Sheriff’s Department
Vehicle Impound Unit
1650 E. Benson Highway, Suite B
Tucson, Arizona 85714
The Sheriff’s Department Vehicle Impound Unit is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM and is closed on weekends.
The process is slightly different in Pima County.
It is here you will show them proof that fines were paid. They will then directly collect the administrative fees as well as the storage and towing fees. Then, they release your car and allow you to go pick it up from Mobile Maintenance, who merely serves as a storage yard for the County.
Please be aware that this is the process as of this writing. City as well as county contracts change at times. Gary’s and Mobile Maintenance may not be the vendors years from now. The entire process could change. Fees could change as well.
What If I Can’t Get My License Back, But I Need My Vehicle?
Shared vehicles are subject to the same impound policy. Your spouse, child, or parent with a valid driver’s license may need access to the impounded vehicle, even if you are unable to meet the requirements necessary to have your license reinstated. When this happens, there is a workaround that will allow the vehicle to be released to another responsible party. You may require the assistance of a lawyer to assure that the process works as it should.
Please note that in some cases where license suspension or revocation is a policy, the requirements may be extensive. Individuals charged with a DUI are required to have the vehicle in question outfitted with an ignition interlock device at their own expense, and this requirement needs to be met before the individual is allowed to drive that vehicle again. This requirement is true for any vehicle, including company vehicles, that the individual may drive. The vehicle in impound is no exception.
If the uninvolved individual with a valid license is listed on the title and registration of the impounded vehicle, he or she may request that the vehicle be released from impound. The Pima County Sheriff’s department requires that this person enter into a binding agreement that states that they will not allow the individual with the suspended or revoked license (with some stipulations about DUI charges and underage DUI charges) drive that vehicle for one calendar year following the date of the impound.
If the agreement is violated, it will not be an option in any following impounds. You’re only given one chance to adhere to the terms.
Working with a Competent Attorney
A competent attorney can help to reduce or prevent charges for individuals cited for driving without a license in Arizona. Whether you left your license at home or your license was present but suspended, a great attorney will be able to create an advantageous strategy to reduce your charges or even have them dropped completely.
At Damianakos Law, our team understands just how vital driving privileges are to living our daily lives. We have years of experience representing individuals like you who need and deserve their driving privileges. Call us now to schedule a free consultation regarding your case. One of our competent and experienced experts will advise you as to your best options. If you decide to work with us, we’ll immediately get to work on preparing the aggressive defense you need.