Your license suspension and car impound are usually separate events, but they often happen together
When your car is impounded, your driver's license may be suspended at the same time — but the two are not automatic consequences of each other. A car gets impounded when it is seized by police or a towing company, usually because you were driving without a valid license, without insurance, with an expired registration, or after a DUI arrest. Your license gets suspended when your state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or equivalent agency revokes your driving privileges, usually for unpaid tickets, too many points, or a conviction.
The connection is this: if you were driving without a valid license when your car was impounded, you will face both a suspended license and the cost and process of retrieving your vehicle. If your license was already suspended and you were caught driving, impound is likely. If your license is suspended for an unrelated reason — unpaid child support, medical reasons, or a prior DUI — and you get pulled over, your car will be impounded because you have no legal right to be behind the wheel.
Understanding which agency controls what, and what you must do to get your license back and your car out, matters because the steps are different and the timelines do not always overlap.
Key Takeaways
- Your DMV suspends your license; a police department or towing company impounds your car — they are separate systems with different rules.
- If you were driving with a suspended license when impounded, you must resolve the suspension before you can legally drive the car away, even if you pay the impound fees.
- Impound fees start when ready and grow daily; retrieving your car quickly matters financially, but you cannot drive it until your license is valid again.
- Some states allow a hardship license or restricted license while your suspension is pending, which may let you drive to work or to retrieve your vehicle.
- The impound lot will not release your car to someone with a suspended license, so you may need a licensed driver to pick it up on your behalf.
Why your car was impounded when your license was suspended
Police impound a vehicle when the driver has no legal authority to operate it. If your license is suspended, you are not legally permitted to drive. If an officer pulls you over and discovers your license is suspended, the car is impounded because keeping it in your possession would mean you could drive it again illegally.
The impound happens regardless of whether the suspension is for a serious reason — like a DUI conviction — or a minor one, like an unpaid parking ticket that triggered a license hold. The officer does not weigh the reason; they follow the law. Your car stays impounded until your license is restored and you pay the impound fees and storage costs.
In some states, if you were driving without a license but the car itself was registered and insured in someone else's name, that person may be able to retrieve it without you present. But you still cannot legally drive it until your suspension ends.
How impound fees and storage costs work
Impound fees are set by the police department, city, or private towing company holding your car, and they vary widely. A typical impound fee ranges from $75 to $300, but some cities charge more. Storage fees then accrue daily — often $15 to $50 per day depending on location and facility type — and they add up fast. A car impounded for two weeks can easily cost $300 to $500 in storage alone, on top of the initial fee.
You will need to contact the impound lot directly to find out the exact amount owed. The police report or citation you received should list the lot's phone number and address. Some lots accept payment by phone or online; others require you to visit in person. You cannot retrieve your car until the full amount is paid.
Even after you pay, you still cannot drive it away if your license is suspended. You will need to either have a licensed driver pick it up, or wait until your suspension is lifted.
Steps to restore your license while your car is impounded
The process to lift a suspension depends on why it was suspended. If it was suspended for unpaid fines or tickets, you must pay those fines to the court that issued them. If it was suspended for unpaid child support, you must contact your state's child support enforcement agency. If it was suspended for a medical reason, you must provide a doctor's clearance. If it was suspended after a DUI, you may need to complete a substance abuse program, pay a reinstatement fee, and wait out a mandatory suspension period.
Contact your state's DMV or equivalent agency — usually by phone or through their website — and ask what specific action is required to lift your suspension. They will tell you the exact amount owed, the agency to pay, and whether there are additional requirements like a written test or a medical exam. Once you complete all requirements and pay any reinstatement fees (typically $100 to $500), your license will be restored.
Some states offer a hardship license or restricted license while your suspension is pending. This allows you to drive to work, school, or court, but not for other purposes. If your state offers this, ask the DMV whether you may have access to. A hardship license can let you retrieve your car from the impound lot before your full suspension is lifted, as long as the lot is on an approved route.
Getting your car out of impound with a suspended license
If your license is still suspended, you have two options: wait until it is restored, or have someone else pick up the car for you.
If you choose to have another person retrieve it, that person must have a valid driver's license and proof of ownership or authorization. The impound lot will require a photo ID and will verify that the person is legally allowed to take possession. You will still need to pay the impound and storage fees — either in advance or when the other person arrives. Some lots allow you to pay by phone before the pickup.
The person picking up the car must be prepared to drive it away; they cannot straightforward retrieve the keys and hand them to you if you are present with a suspended license. If you are at the lot together, the officer or lot attendant may refuse to release the car to you, even if someone else is driving.
What happens if you drive away from impound with a suspended license
Driving away from an impound lot with a suspended license is a criminal offense in most states. You will face additional charges beyond the original suspension reason, including driving with a suspended license, which can result in fines of $500 to $1,000 or more, jail time, and an extended suspension period. Your insurance will not cover any accident or damage that occurs while you are driving illegally.
Even if you own the car outright and have paid all impound fees, you have no legal right to operate it. The impound lot staff are trained to check licenses before releasing vehicles, and if you attempt to drive away without a valid license, you risk arrest and additional criminal charges.
Avoiding future impounds and suspensions
The best way to avoid this situation is to keep your license valid and your registration and insurance current. If you receive a ticket or notice that your license may be suspended, address it when ready. Pay fines on time, respond to court notices, and contact your DMV if you are unsure of your status.
If your license is suspended for a reason you cannot when ready resolve — like a medical condition or a long-term payment plan — ask your DMV about a hardship license. If you cannot afford to pay a fine, ask the court about a payment plan or community service option. These steps take time but prevent the compounding costs of impound fees, storage, and additional criminal charges.
If your car is impounded, retrieve it as quickly as possible. Every day it sits in the lot costs you money. Even if your license is suspended, paying the fees and arranging for a licensed driver to pick it up is cheaper than waiting weeks for your suspension to lift while storage fees accumulate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get my car out of impound if my license is suspended?
You cannot legally drive it away, but you can have a licensed driver pick it up for you if you pay the impound and storage fees. You will need to provide that person with proof of ownership or authorization, and they must have a valid driver's license. You still cannot be the one operating the vehicle.
How long can a car stay in impound?
Most impound lots hold vehicles for 30 days before they can sell or dispose of them. However, storage fees continue to accrue daily, so waiting that long is expensive. Contact the lot when ready to find out the important date for your specific vehicle and to arrange payment and pickup.
Do I have to pay impound fees before my license is restored?
Yes. The impound lot will not release your car until you pay the fees, regardless of your license status. However, you do not have to be the one to pick it up — a licensed driver can do that for you once you have paid.
Will my insurance cover my car while it is impounded?
Most insurance policies do not cover theft, vandalism, or damage to a vehicle in an impound lot. Your policy may cover the vehicle itself, but not the impound fees or storage costs. Check your policy or contact your insurer to confirm what is covered.
What if I cannot afford the impound fees?
Contact the impound lot and ask whether they offer a payment plan. Some lots will work with you if you can show financial hardship. You can also ask a family member or friend to help pay. The longer you wait, the higher the storage fees become, so addressing this quickly matters financially.