Can You Legally Record Police Officers?
11/09/2025
Getting arrested for driving under the influence in Illinois can change your life in minutes. Along with fines, court dates, and a possible license suspension, you might suddenly find yourself asking: What happens to your car when you get a DUI?
Here’s what you need to know about how car impoundment works after a DUI arrest, how long your vehicle can be held, what it costs to get it back, and how a DUI defense lawyer can help you through it.
Most DUI arrests start with a traffic stop. Law enforcement may pull you over if they have probable cause to believe you committed a violation, such as swerving, speeding, or nearly causing an accident.
During the stop, police officers will look for signs of impaired driving, like slurred speech or the smell of alcohol. You may be asked to perform field sobriety tests or take a breathalyzer test to measure your blood alcohol content (BAC).
If your BAC is .08 or higher, or if you refuse chemical testing, you can be arrested and taken to the police station. That’s when the question of what happens to your car begins.
Learn More: Can You Be Convicted of a DUI Without a Breathalyzer Test?
When you’re taken into custody, your car cannot stay on the road. Police officers must decide what to do with it:
If a licensed driver is with you and is sober, officers may allow that person to take your vehicle home. This option depends entirely on the officer’s discretion and safety.
If your vehicle isn’t creating a hazard (for example, parked safely in a private lot), it might be left there. However, this is rare because property owners and the police prefer not to assume liability.
In most DUI cases, police call towing services to remove your car from the scene. A tow truck transports it to a vehicle impound lot, where it stays until you or an authorized driver can retrieve it. This process is called car impoundment.
Car impoundment means your vehicle is held in an impound lot until it’s legally released to the registered owner. You’ll be responsible for towing fees, daily storage costs, and sometimes additional city fees.
Law enforcement can impound your vehicle after a DUI arrest for several reasons:
Before towing, police may perform an inventory search to document the contents of the car, such as items in the glove box or trunk. If officers discover controlled substances or open alcohol containers, those can lead to additional criminal charges.
Illinois law allows police to place a temporary hold on your impounded vehicle. The length of time depends on your record:
The purpose of the hold is to prevent you from driving while you may still be intoxicated. Once the hold expires, the impound lot can release the vehicle to the registered owner or to another licensed driver you authorize.
To reclaim your car, you’ll typically need:
If your license is suspended, another driver must pick up the car for you.
Releasing an impounded car after a DUI arrest can be expensive. You may face:
These costs add up quickly. Waiting too long can make the total higher than the car’s value. If the fees aren’t paid, your vehicle could be sold or scrapped even before your court hearing.
That’s why acting fast and contacting your lawyer right away is so important.
According to Illinois DUI laws, a DUI arrest automatically triggers a license suspension, called a statutory summary suspension. This happens when you:
This suspension is handled separately from the criminal case; it’s an administrative process that can begin immediately after your DUI arrest.
Driving with a suspended license can lead to new criminal penalties and make it impossible to personally pick up your car from the impound lot.
In some cases, a judge may later require you to install an ignition interlock device (a car breathalyzer) to regain limited driving privileges. Ignition interlock devices are common for repeat offenders and allow you to drive only after confirming sobriety.
A DUI conviction affects more than your driving record. It can raise your expenses for years.
Insurance companies often increase your rates after a DUI or require you to carry SR-22 Certification, which verifies that you have the state’s minimum insurance coverage.
Every day your car stays in the impound lot, the bill grows. Those costs are your responsibility, even while your legal case moves through the criminal justice system.
If you rely on your car for work or hold a professional license that requires driving, losing access to your vehicle can directly affect your income and daily life.
Many people think a lawyer only helps in court. But strong legal representation can also protect your car and your driver’s license.
A skilled traffic crimes lawyer can:
Early help from a lawyer can also minimize administrative overhead, reduce impound fees, and help you understand your rights under Illinois law.
If your car was impounded after a DUI arrest in Illinois, you’re dealing with more than just a ticket; you’re facing a serious legal matter that affects your transportation, finances, and record.
The DUI defense lawyers at Ktenas Law help clients throughout the Chicago area navigate the complex vehicle confiscation process, challenge license suspensions, and reduce the lasting impact of a DUI.
Call (312) 800-1626 today for a confidential consultation and learn how our team can help you protect your rights and get your life back on track.
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