To get your car out of impound in Wichita, you need two documents: current vehicle registration and a valid government photo ID. You also have to pay the tow and storage charges before the car leaves the yard. The Wichita Police Records Bureau says both documents are required by state law. This guide covers what counts, what to do if you are missing one, and how to keep the bill from growing.
Miller’s Towing & Recovery is at 4309 S Broadway in south Wichita. We often tow cars out of storage yards for their owners, so we hear the same questions again and again. Here are the answers.
The 2 Documents You Need to Get Your Car Out of Impound
The Wichita Police Records Bureau FAQ lists them plainly.
- Current registration. It has to be up to date and it has to match the car.
- Valid photo identification. Any government issued photo ID works. The city names a state driver’s license, a state ID card, a military ID, and a passport as examples.
Wichita Police Department Policy 404 describes the same thing from the police side. The owner shows proper identification and proof of current registration, pays the tow in and storage charges, and then takes the vehicle.
Before You Go: A Short Checklist
Make these calls before you try to get your car out of impound. They save you a wasted trip.
- Confirm where the car is. Use our steps to find a towed car in Wichita, or call the Records Bureau at 316-268-4303 or 316-268-4396, Monday through Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Ask if there is a hold. A car held as evidence cannot be released until police clear it.
- Call the yard. Ask for today’s total, the daily storage rate, what payment they take, and what hours they release vehicles.
- Bring a licensed driver or plan a tow. If your license is suspended or the car does not run, you cannot drive it away.
What if You Are Missing Something?
This is where most people get stuck. The table covers the situations we hear about most.
| Your situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| Registration is expired | Renew it first at a Sedgwick County tag office, then bring the new registration to the yard. |
| Registration is locked inside the car | Ask the yard to let you get it. The Records Bureau allows legal documents to be taken out of an impounded car before fees are paid. |
| You have no driver’s license | A state ID card, military ID, or passport works as photo ID. You still need a licensed driver or a tow truck to move the car. |
| You have no insurance | The city lists registration and photo ID as the required papers. Kansas law still requires insurance to drive on the street, so have the car towed home until it is insured. |
| The car is not in your name | The registered owner needs to claim it. Ask the Records Bureau what they accept if the owner cannot come in person. |
| You just bought the car | Bring the signed title and bill of sale and ask the Records Bureau what else they need before you go. |
What It Costs to Get Your Car Out of Impound
There are two parts to the bill: the tow and the storage. The tow is a one time charge. Storage is charged for each day the car sits.
For tows from private property, the Wichita City Council set these caps, as reported by KSN:
- $120 for a light tow
- $4.70 per mile
- $36 per day for storage
KSN reported that the council set those numbers to match what the city’s own impound contracts allow. Your total depends on who towed the car and why, so get the exact figure from the yard. Our article on what a tow release costs in Wichita goes through the fees line by line.
The cheapest day to get your car out of impound is today. A car that sits for ten days at $36 a day adds $360 in storage alone.
Is there a payment plan?
The city has one for vehicles impounded by police. KSN reported these terms: you apply within five days of the impound, payments are capped at $25 a month, the help tops out at $600, and you have up to 24 months to repay. It does not cover private property tows. KSN also reported that only 2 of the first 26 people who applied qualified, so ask the Records Bureau about it on day one.
What if There Is a Police Hold?
Policy 404 says police can place a hold when a vehicle is needed as evidence, when the true owner cannot be identified, or when it may be forfeited. The yard cannot release a car with a hold. A detective has to send a release to the tow company first.
If your car has a hold, ask the Records Bureau which unit placed it and who to call. Ask too if storage is being charged during the hold.
Private Property Tows Work a Little Differently
If your car was towed from an apartment complex, a store lot, or a paid lot downtown, the City of Wichita is not involved. Its parking laws page says the city is not a party to private tows and that the vehicle owner pays when picking up the car.
In that case, deal with the tow company named on the sign at the lot. The steps to get your car out of impound are the same: call them, ask the checklist questions, and bring your registration and photo ID. If the sign has our name on it, call 316-351-4754. You can read about how we handle private property removal for Wichita property owners.
Getting the Car Home if It Does Not Run
Plenty of impounded cars cannot be driven. Some were in a crash. Some have a dead battery after sitting. Some are not registered or insured yet. You can still get your car out of impound. Pay the yard, get the release, and have a tow truck carry the car out.
We do this move often. Tell us the yard’s address, where the car is going, and if it rolls and steers. You get a price before we send a truck. If the car is headed for repairs, see how to move a car from a tow yard to a body shop. If it is going to your driveway, our guide on towing a car that does not run explains how we load it.
Questions About Wichita Impounds
Can I get my things out of the car without paying?
For police impounds, the Records Bureau says no, except for photo identification, prescription drugs, and legal documents such as a Social Security card or birth certificate.
Can I get my car out of impound without insurance?
The city’s list of required papers is registration and photo ID. You cannot legally drive an uninsured car on Kansas streets, so plan to tow it.
Who else impounds cars in Wichita?
The Records Bureau lists the Sedgwick County Sheriff at 316-383-7352 and the Kansas Highway Patrol at 316-744-0451.
What happens if I never pick it up?
Storage keeps adding up, and Kansas law in K.S.A. 8-1103 gives the tow company a lien on the vehicle. An unclaimed car can be sold to cover the bill.
Need Help Moving It?
Once you have the release, Miller’s Towing & Recovery can take the car from the yard to your home or shop. Call 316-351-4754 any time, day or night. See our towing services in Wichita, KS or send a note through the contact page.