The phone number for the Cincinnati police department impound lot is 513-352-3040. This number can be used to retrieve information about a vehicle that has been towed and impounded in Cincinnati.
Vehicles are typically impounded for a variety of reasons in Cincinnati. A car may be towed if it is parked illegally, involved in an accident, or used in the commission of a crime. The Cincinnati Police Department contracts with several private towing companies to remove and store these vehicles in a central impound lot.
When a car is impounded, the owner will need to contact the impound lot to find out where their car is located and what steps need to be taken to retrieve it. This usually involves paying any outstanding fines or fees associated with the impoundment. Having the correct phone number for the Cincinnati impound lot is important for quickly locating and recovering your vehicle.
Reasons for Impoundment
There are several common reasons that a vehicle may be impounded in Cincinnati:
- Parking violations – Cars parked illegally, such as in no parking zones, loading zones, or blocking fire hydrants, will be ticketed and towed.
- Abandoned vehicles – Cars left parked on public streets for extended periods without being moved can be towed away as abandoned property.
- Involved in a crime – Vehicles used in the commission of crimes like robbery, drug offenses, or driving without a license may be impounded as evidence.
- Accidents – Cars damaged in crashes that are not drivable are often towed away from the scene by police request.
- Registration violations – Automobiles with expired registration tags or no proof of ownership can be removed from the road.
- Repeat offenders – Drivers with multiple unpaid tickets or several previous impounds may have their car proactively towed away.
In most cases, the owner of the impounded vehicle will receive a notice with details about why the car was towed and where it was taken. However, it is still advisable to contact the police department or look up the impound lot’s phone number to retrieve information faster.
Contacting the Impound Lot
The impound lot should be contacted as soon as possible after a car has been towed away. When you call, have your vehicle registration and driver’s license information ready to verify ownership. The staff will lookup your car in their system and provide details like:
- The reason for impoundment
- The exact towing and storage fees
- The address and operating hours of the impound lot
- Instructions for payment and vehicle release
This information is needed to retrieve your car, so that you can properly prepare for pickup and avoid any unnecessary delays. Keep in mind that storage fees are typically charged daily, so contacting the impound lot quickly can help minimize costs.
Paying Impound Fees
Before an impounded vehicle can be released back to its owner, all outstanding fines and fees must be paid. This usually includes:
- Towing fee – This covers the cost of removing your car and transporting it to the impound lot. In Cincinnati, towing fees are around $125.
- Impound fee – An additional fee charged by the impound lot for processing and storing the vehicle. This is typically $20-$60 per day.
- Parking fines – Any parking or traffic tickets associated with the impoundment must be paid.
- Other fines – Additional police-assessed fines related to criminal acts may apply.
These fees can be paid directly at the impound lot, usually by cash, credit/debit card, certified check, or money order. The total costs can escalate quickly the longer a car sits in the impound lot, so owners should pay required fines and retrieve their vehicle as soon as possible.
Retrieving Your Vehicle
Once all impound fees have been paid, there will still be a few steps required before you can drive your car away:
- Show proof of valid driver’s license and vehicle registration.
- Provide receipt for payment of all impound lot fees.
- Present valid auto insurance documents.
- Complete release forms – The impound lot will have paperwork to document pick-up.
- Inspect vehicle – Check for any damage or missing items before leaving the lot.
This release process ensures the proper owner is retrieving the vehicle and that all requirements are satisfied. Be sure to set aside adequate time for the paperwork and inspection once fees are paid before assuming you can promptly drive away.
Avoiding Impound Issues
No one wants the hassle and expense of having their vehicle impounded. Here are some tips for avoiding common problems in Cincinnati:
- Renew registration on time
- Pay parking fines quickly
- Follow all posted street signs
- Move vehicles every 48 hours
- Don’t drink and drive
- Insure and properly title your automobile
- Avoid criminal activity
- Drive safely to prevent accident
Proper documentation, parking legally, and driving carefully are the best ways to avoid impound headaches. But if your car is towed, be sure to call the Cincinnati Police Department impound lot right away at 513-352-3040.
Police Impound FAQs
Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about police impound lots in Cincinnati:
How long do they keep impounded vehicles?
Cincinnati’s impound lot will hold vehicles for 30 days. After that point, the car may be considered abandoned and sold at public auction.
Can someone else pickup my impounded car?
Yes, you can send an authorized representative with proper documentation to retrieve your vehicle on your behalf. They will need the release forms signed by you.
What form of payment do they accept?
The Cincinnati impound lot accepts cash, credit/debit cards, certified checks, and money orders for payment of fees. No personal checks are accepted.
What are the operating hours?
The Cincinnati Police impound lot is open Monday-Friday from 8am to 10pm. It is closed Saturdays and Sundays.
Is my car still insured while impounded?
Most insurance policies still provide coverage for a car while it is being held in a police impound lot.
Can I get a taxi/Uber from the impound lot?
Ride sharing pickups and taxis are not permitted inside the Cincinnati impound lot. You will need to arrange a ride from someone else.
Is there an appeal process for improper impounds?
If your car was towed without proper cause, you can file an appeal after retrieval to potentially recover the impound fees. This process would go through the police department.
Locating the Impound Lot
Knowing the address of the Cincinnati Police Impound Lot can make retrieving your vehicle more efficient. The impound lot is located at:
Cincinnati Impound Lot3375 Reading Rd
Cincinnati, OH 45229
This lot is open Monday-Friday from 8am to 10pm. It is recommended that you call 513-352-3040 before visiting to confirm business hours and the location of your vehicle.
Important Contact Information
If your vehicle has been impounded in Cincinnati, call or visit the following locations:
Cincinnati Police Impound Lot
Phone number: 513-352-3040
Address: 3375 Reading Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45229
Cincinnati Police Department
Non-emergency number: 513-569-8600
District 1: 513-569-8600
District 2: 513-569-8600
District 3: 513-569-8600
District 4: 513-569-8600
District 5: 513-569-8600
Other Towing Situations
In some cases, a vehicle may be towed by a company other than the police impound lot. This often occurs when:
- Illegally parked on private property
- Towed after an accident by insurer request
- Removed from a prohibited area like a handicap spot
- Abandoned after a breakdown
In these situations, you will need to contact the specific towing company rather than the police department. Check any notices left on your vehicle or look up local Cincinnati towing companies to retrieve your automobile.
Disputing Tows and Impounds
If you believe your car was wrongfully impounded by the Cincinnati Police, you have a right to dispute it. Below are steps for challenging a questionable vehicle impound:
- File complaint with police department
- Submit appeal to Traffic Office hearing
- Provide evidence the impound was invalid
- Present witnesses and testimonials
- Request reimbursement of fees if appeal succeeds
Contesting an improper impound takes time and effort, but can help recover costs if successful. Be sure to check the deadline for filing appeals related to vehicle impounds in Cincinnati.
Reclaiming an Impounded Vehicle
Having your car impounded by the police can be frustrating, but here is a quick summary of the steps needed to reclaim it:
- Call impound lot immediately at 513-352-3040
- Ask for reason car was towed and fees owed
- Gather registration, license, and payment information
- Pay all required fines and impound fees
- Complete release paperwork
- Drive vehicle home safely
Act quickly after an impound to limit fees and retrieve your automobile as soon as possible. And be sure to drive carefully and follow parking rules to avoid another tow!
Conclusion
Having a car impounded can be a major inconvenience, but is often preventable. Avoid illegal parking, traffic violations, and irresponsible driving. If your vehicle is towed in Cincinnati, call 513-352-3040 immediately and have your paperwork ready to reclaim it promptly. Pay attention to street signs, renew registration on time, and follow the rules of the road to keep your car from being impounded in the first place.
Use this guide to understand the steps for retrieving your impounded vehicle so you can get it back quickly. Recording the Cincinnati Police Impound lot phone number somewhere accessible is wise in case you ever need to call. With the proper information, you can get your impounded car back faster and cheaper.