Yes, someone else can get your car out of impound in most jurisdictions, as long as they show up with the right paperwork. A co-owner listed on the title can claim the vehicle on their own. Anyone else — a spouse, a parent, a friend — generally needs a notarized letter of authorization or a power of attorney from you, along with the vehicle’s ownership documents, proof of insurance, and their own valid ID. The fees are the same no matter who retrieves it, and storage charges keep running every day the car sits.
Who You Can Send
Impound lots have to confirm that the person at the window actually has the right to take the car. Rules vary by facility and jurisdiction, but authorized pickups usually fall into a few categories.
A Co-Owner
If another person’s name appears on the title or registration, they have an independent right to retrieve the vehicle. No letter from you is required. They bring the title or registration showing their name and a government-issued photo ID. This is the cleanest path and the one least likely to create problems at the lot.
Someone With a Power of Attorney
If no co-owner exists and you can’t go yourself, you can authorize someone through a notarized power of attorney. A document written specifically for retrieving the vehicle — naming the make, model, year, and VIN — draws fewer questions than a general power of attorney, though a general one covering all your affairs also works. The person you authorize brings their own government-issued ID.
Someone With a Notarized Authorization Letter
Many facilities accept a notarized letter of authorization in place of a formal power of attorney. The letter should name the person you’re authorizing, describe the vehicle, and clearly state your consent for them to pick it up. Most lots want your signature, the date, and a notary seal. Being a family member does not by itself create retrieval rights; the authorization document is what the lot relies on.
What Your Representative Needs to Bring
One missing item can mean a wasted trip and another day of storage fees. Before heading to the lot, the person picking up the car should have all of the following in hand:
- The vehicle title or current registration showing the registered owner’s name.
- A notarized power of attorney or notarized letter of authorization from the registered owner, unless the person retrieving is a co-owner.
- A government-issued photo ID for the person doing the pickup. Some lots also ask for proof of address if the retriever isn’t the registered owner.
- Proof of current auto insurance covering the vehicle. Most jurisdictions treat this as a hard requirement, and the lot will not release the car without it.
- A law enforcement release form, if the car was impounded during an arrest, investigation, or certain traffic stops. The police department may need to issue that release before the lot can hand over the vehicle.
- A valid, unexpired driver’s license for whoever plans to drive the car off the lot. If the retriever’s license is suspended or expired, they will need to arrange for a tow truck instead.
Call the impound facility before going. Requirements shift from lot to lot, and a five-minute phone call can save you a full day of storage charges.
The Insurance Catch
Proof of current auto insurance is required to release a vehicle in most places, which creates a real problem if the car was impounded for driving uninsured. You have to buy a policy on a car you can’t currently drive. Most insurers can issue proof of coverage electronically the same day, and the impound lot should accept a digital insurance card or a printed declarations page. If coverage lapsed and you’re shopping for a new policy, expect it to cost more than your old one; insurers treat a lapse as a red flag. Every day you delay is another day of storage fees, so it’s usually cheaper to buy the policy than to keep negotiating with yourself about it.
What It Costs
Retrieving an impounded vehicle usually means paying three categories of fees before the car moves. Towing fees cover hauling the vehicle to the lot and typically run between $150 and $500, depending on distance and vehicle type. Storage fees begin the moment the car arrives and commonly run $20 to $60 per day, with higher rates in some large cities. Administrative or release fees charged by the lot or the law enforcement agency can add anywhere from $50 to several hundred dollars on top of that.
The math gets ugly fast. A car sitting for two weeks can easily accumulate $500 to $1,000 in storage alone, before towing and administrative charges. Some facilities also add charges for after-hours pickups or oversized vehicles. Payment methods vary; many lots require cash, a cashier’s check, or a money order, and not every location accepts credit or debit cards. Confirm before you go. If paying the full amount isn’t possible, ask the facility about payment plans or hardship reductions before the clock runs out on the vehicle.
When the Car Cannot Be Released Yet
Some impoundments come with mandatory hold periods set by law, and no authorization letter will override them.
Mandatory Holds
Many states impose fixed holds for specific offenses. Vehicles impounded after a DUI arrest, for example, may be held for 30 days or longer before anyone can retrieve them. Similar holds apply in some jurisdictions when the driver had a suspended or revoked license. Storage fees continue to accumulate throughout, which is one of the hidden costs that catches people off guard.
Law Enforcement Holds
If the vehicle is connected to a criminal investigation, police can place a separate hold that prevents release until the investigation is complete or a detective lifts the hold. The impound lot has no authority to override it. Your representative may need to contact the investigating officer or the district attorney’s office to find out when the car can come out. A court order can sometimes speed things up, but that typically requires a lawyer.
A Note on Asset Forfeiture
Civil forfeiture is a separate legal process, not an impound issue. If the government has moved to take ownership of the vehicle under forfeiture laws, no one is retrieving it at the impound window. Federal law allows property to be forfeited if it was used to commit or facilitate a crime, or if it represents proceeds of criminal activity.1Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 18 USC 981 – Civil Forfeiture The owner can contest a forfeiture by asserting an “innocent owner” defense, which requires proving by a preponderance of the evidence that they either didn’t know about the illegal conduct or took reasonable steps to stop it once they found out.2Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 18 USC 983 – General Rules for Civil Forfeiture Proceedings Deadlines to file a claim are strict, so if your vehicle has been seized under forfeiture rather than impounded, get a lawyer.
Why Speed Matters
An unclaimed impounded vehicle can eventually become the lot’s property through a lien sale. Timelines vary by state, but the pattern is consistent: the lot notifies the registered owner and any lienholders by mail, waits a set number of days (often 30 to 45), and then either auctions the vehicle or scraps it. If the sale price doesn’t cover the outstanding towing and storage fees, you can still owe the difference. And if you’re still making loan payments, you remain responsible for those payments even after the car is sold or scrapped. Losing the car, still owing the loan, still owing the lot — that’s the worst-case outcome, and it’s a real one for people who wait too long.
Getting Personal Belongings Out
Even if you can’t afford to release the car yet, you generally have the right to retrieve personal belongings from inside it. Most jurisdictions require impound lots to allow the registered owner or an authorized person to access the vehicle and remove personal property free of charge. Accessories permanently attached to the car don’t count, but car seats, medications, work tools, and personal documents do. Ask the facility about their process, since some lots restrict access to certain hours or require an appointment.
Inspect the Car Before Driving Off
Tow companies have a duty of care, but damage still happens. Before signing anything, the person picking up the car should walk around it and check for new dents, scratches, broken mirrors, or missing parts. Take photos of any damage and compare them to any pre-impoundment photos you have. Report damage to facility staff immediately and get it documented in writing before leaving. Once the car is off the lot, proving the damage happened during impoundment gets much harder. If the tow company refuses to acknowledge the damage, you can file a complaint with the local agency that licenses towing companies, or a claim through your own auto insurance.
What Doesn’t Transfer With the Keys
Authorizing someone to pick up your car doesn’t transfer your legal responsibilities. Underlying tickets, DUI cases, expired registration, or inspection failures remain yours to resolve. The person retrieving the car takes on some practical responsibility too: they need to confirm the vehicle is legally drivable before leaving the lot, meaning valid registration, current insurance, and no court-ordered restrictions like an ignition interlock requirement. If the car was impounded because the registration lapsed, someone will need to renew it before the lot releases the vehicle. Clear communication between you and your representative prevents the kind of surprise that ends with the car getting impounded again on the way home.