To get your car out of the CCPD impound in Corpus Christi, the registered owner brings a photo ID, proof of insurance, and current registration to the Police Auto Pound at 5485 Greenwood Dr, (361) 857-1996, open for releases 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. seven days a week. That’s the whole process in one sentence. Everything below fills in the details: how to find out where your car is, what the fees look like, what to do if you’re not the registered owner, and what rights you have under Texas law.
How to find out where your car was towed
If you come back to where you parked and your car is gone, don’t assume the worst. Sometimes it was towed; sometimes it was stolen.
Call the CCPD Police Auto Pound at (361) 857-1996. Have at least one of these ready when you call: your license plate number, the case number if you have it, or the driver’s name. The staff can tell you whether the vehicle is in their system and when it arrived.
If you think the tow may involve a legal matter or asset forfeiture, the separate line is (361) 826-8301.
The city accepts impounded vehicles 24 hours a day, so your car may have arrived in the middle of the night even if you can’t pick it up until morning.
What to bring to the impound
The Corpus Christi Police Department has a short, firm list. Show up without one of these documents and you’ll have to come back.
Photo ID. The registered owner must present one of the following: a Texas driver license, a Texas DPS ID card, a U.S. passport, or a valid military ID. A photo on your phone doesn’t count.
Proof of current insurance. It needs to be current, not expired. A photo of your insurance card on your phone is generally accepted, but a printed card works too. The key word is current.
Current registration. The city checks for a current registration sticker on the vehicle itself. If your registration has lapsed, you may need to handle that before you can take the car home.
Bring all three. Don’t guess about which ones you’ll need.
If you’re not the registered owner
Texas impound law is owner-centric. If your name isn’t on the title, you can’t just walk in and claim the car.
The registered owner has to authorize you in writing. Specifically, you need a notarized letter from the owner giving you permission to retrieve the vehicle, plus a copy of the owner’s photo ID. No notary? Search “notary near me” in Corpus Christi, or check UPS Store, bank branches, and H-E-B service desks. Many charge $6 to $10 per signature.
What it costs
Fees for Class A vehicles, which means any vehicle under 10,000 lbs (most cars, pickup trucks, and SUVs), typically run $155 to $180 for the tow itself. Class B vehicles over 10,000 lbs, like box trucks, heavy pickups, and commercial vehicles, run significantly more: $400 to $850 or higher, depending on the specifics.
On top of the tow fee, daily storage accrues for every day the vehicle sits on the lot. The longer you wait, the more it costs. Pick your car up as soon as you can.
One exception: if your vehicle is being held under an investigative hold by law enforcement, storage fees do not accrue during that hold period. Once the hold is released, storage billing resumes.
Payment methods accepted at the lot are worth confirming when you call ahead, since many impound facilities require cash or specific card types.
Release hours and what to expect at the lot
The Police Auto Pound is located at 5485 Greenwood Dr, Corpus Christi, TX 78417.
Vehicle releases happen Monday through Sunday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The lot accepts vehicles 24 hours a day, but releasing them is strictly daytime hours, seven days a week.
Plan to arrive with enough time to handle paperwork before 5:00 p.m. If you show up at 4:45 with a missing document, you’ll need to come back tomorrow and pay another day of storage.
When you arrive, go to the office first. You’ll pay the fees, sign the release paperwork, and then someone will escort you to the vehicle or direct you to it on the lot.
Your rights under Texas law
Texas regulates non-consent tows through the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) under the Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 2308. If your car was towed without your permission, either by police directive or from private property, you have rights worth knowing.
The right to a tow hearing. If you believe your car was towed improperly or that the fees being charged are unreasonable, you can request a tow hearing. The hearing is filed with a Justice of the Peace court in the precinct where the tow originated. You have 14 days from the date of the tow to request one.
The right to an itemized receipt. Any tow company must give you an itemized bill showing every charge. If something looks wrong, you don’t have to just pay it.
The right to your personal property. Even if you can’t pay to get your car out right now, you’re entitled to retrieve personal belongings from the vehicle, including prescription medications, car seats, and other items, without paying the full release fees.
If you’re dealing with a tow that feels wrong, the TDLR consumer complaint line is a starting point. The company’s TDLR license number should appear on any documentation they give you.
What Quick Tow Corpus Christi can do
We can’t get your car out of the city impound for you; only the registered owner or a properly authorized person can do that. But if you’re stranded after getting your car back and it won’t start, or if you need a tow and want a company that gives you a straight price before we dispatch, call us at (858) 925-5546.
We’re available around the clock and work throughout the Corpus Christi area.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get my car out of impound in Corpus Christi?
The registered owner goes to the CCPD Police Auto Pound at 5485 Greenwood Dr with a photo ID, proof of current insurance, and a vehicle showing a current registration sticker. The release window is 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., seven days a week. Call (361) 857-1996 first to confirm the vehicle is there and ask about the current fees before you make the trip.
Where is the Corpus Christi impound lot?
The CCPD Police Auto Pound is at 5485 Greenwood Dr, Corpus Christi, TX 78417. The phone number is (361) 857-1996. It accepts vehicles 24 hours a day but only releases them between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. daily.
How much does it cost to get a car out of impound in Corpus Christi?
For a Class A vehicle (under 10,000 lbs, so most cars and light trucks), the tow fee is roughly $155 to $180. Storage fees accumulate daily on top of that. Class B vehicles over 10,000 lbs run $400 to $850 or more. Call (361) 857-1996 for the exact amount on your vehicle before you go, since fees change based on how long it’s been held.
Can someone other than the registered owner pick up the car?
Yes, but only with a notarized letter from the registered owner authorizing the pickup and a copy of the owner’s photo ID. Without those two items, the lot won’t release the vehicle to anyone other than the owner.
What if my car is on an investigative hold?
Storage fees don’t accrue while your vehicle is held for investigative purposes by law enforcement. Once that hold is lifted, storage billing begins again. You’ll need to go through the standard release process once the hold is cleared.
Can I get my personal belongings out without paying to release the car?
Under Texas law, you’re entitled to retrieve essential personal property from an impounded vehicle, including things like prescription medication, a child’s car seat, and identification documents, without paying the full impound fees. Call (361) 857-1996 to arrange access to the vehicle for that purpose.