Last updated November 2025
If you’ve been arrested for DUI in Florida, your penalties may go beyond jail time and fines. In many cases, vehicle impoundment is mandatory under Florida law.
This guide explains what impoundment means, how long your vehicle may be held, and how a defense attorney can help you fight back.
π What Is Vehicle Impoundment?
Vehicle impoundment means law enforcement takes and holds your car for a set period, usually after conviction. Under Florida Statute § 316.193(6), itβs a required administrative penalty for many DUI sentences.
Importantly, this impoundment does not happen during your jail timeβit begins after you’re released.
Related Reading:
β³ How Long Is Your Car Impounded After a DUI in Florida?
The impoundment period depends on your DUI history:
| Offense | Mandatory Vehicle Impoundment |
|---|---|
| First DUI | 10 days |
| Second DUI (within 5 years) | 30 days |
| Third DUI (within 10 years) | 90 days |
β Note: The impoundment happens after your jail sentence ends, not during it.
β οΈ Can You Challenge Vehicle Impoundment?
Yes — the court can waive or modify this penalty in specific situations. Your DUI defense lawyer can request an exception if:
Another household member relies on the vehicle
The impoundment would cause hardship (work, school, medical)
The car is jointly owned by an uninvolved party
A well-supported motion may result in reduced or eliminated impoundment.
π¨ What If Police Impound Your Vehicle at the Time of Arrest?
In some cases, police may impound your car immediately after arrest. This is separate from the court-ordered impoundment that follows a conviction.
If the car is searched during impound, any evidence found may be used against you only if the inventory search followed legal procedures.
π° How Much Does DUI Vehicle Impoundment Cost in Florida?
The total cost of DUI vehicle impoundment in Florida can range from \$200 to over \$500, depending on:
Length of time held
Towing and storage fees
Administrative costs at the impound facility
You typically cannot recover your vehicle until all fees are paid. In hardship cases, your attorney may request a fee waiver or reduction.
π‘οΈ How a DUI Defense Attorney Can Help
At Michael White, P.A., we work to:
- Challenge unnecessary impoundments
- File motions to waive or reduce impound time
- Ensure any inventory search was conducted lawfully
- Protect your rights and minimize penalties
π² Call (954) 270-0769 or schedule your free consultation online if youβre facing DUI charges in Fort Lauderdale or South Florida.
We’ll help you understand your options, fight unjust penalties, and defend your future.
π¬ FAQs: DUI Vehicle Impoundment in Florida
Q: Is vehicle impoundment mandatory after a DUI conviction in Florida?
A: Yes, under Florida law, impoundment is a mandatory part of sentencing for many DUI convictions unless waived by the court.
Q: When does the impoundment period begin?
A: It begins after you’ve served any jail time ordered as part of your DUI sentence.
Q: Can my vehicle be impounded if someone else in the household uses it?
A: In some cases, yes—but your attorney can argue to have the impound waived if it would burden an innocent household member.
Q: Can evidence found in my car during impound be used against me?
A: Potentially, yes—if the inventory search was conducted properly under Florida law.
Q: What if I can’t afford the impound fees?
A: You may not be able to retrieve your vehicle until all fees are paid, but your attorney can ask the court to consider fee waivers in certain hardship cases.