Rules
Little Rock City Impound: How to Get Your Car Back
If Little Rock police had your car towed, it went to the city's Vehicle Storage Facility, run by Fleet Services. Call (501) 918-4260 first. The office is open weekdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed noon to 1, and Saturdays 8 to noon. It's closed Sundays and major holidays. Bring papers that prove you own the car, current insurance and a state ID. No insurance means the car leaves on a wrecker.
Is my car at the city lot, or somewhere else?
You come back to the spot near the River Market and the curb is empty. The first job is to learn who moved it.
The city lot only takes cars that Little Rock police sent there. The city says every car at the facility is directed there by the authority of LRPD. Tow requests go out through the 911 Communication Center to contract wrecker services.
- Police tow from a street or crash scene: call the Vehicle Storage Facility at (501) 918-4260 and ask if your car is there.
- Not there? Call the LRPD non-emergency line at (501) 371-4829 and ask if officers had it towed.
- Towed from a store or apartment lot: that's a private tow, so the city lot won't have it. Look around the lot for a posted sign with a tow company name.
- Behind on car payments: call your lender. It may have been repossessed.
If nobody has a record, report the car stolen to LRPD. If you feel unsafe where you are, call 911.
When can I pick it up?
The lot has attendants and cameras around the clock. But the release office keeps shorter hours, and that's what counts for you.
| Day | Office hours |
|---|---|
| Monday to Friday | 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed noon to 1 p.m.) |
| Saturday | 8 a.m. to noon |
| Sunday | Closed |
| Major holidays | Closed |
Plan around the gaps. A car towed after a Friday night game at War Memorial Stadium has a short Saturday window. Miss it, and the next chance is Monday. Don't show up at 12:15 on a weekday expecting help, either. That's the lunch hour.
The facility page lists 7801 Jamison Road, Little Rock, AR 72209 with its contact details. Call before you drive over to confirm where to go and that your car is ready.
What papers do I need to bring?
Bring three things: proof you own it, proof it's insured and proof of who you are. Each one has a few accepted forms.
Proof you own the car (one of these)
- A current registration that isn't expired
- A bill of sale signed by both the seller and the buyer
- The title, signed by both the seller and the buyer
- A dealer sales contract
Just bought the car from a neighbor in Hillcrest? A bill of sale works, but only with both signatures on it. Get that fixed before you go.
Proof of insurance
It must be current insurance on the car you're picking up. An expired card won't do. The city also says it doesn't regulate state insurance policies, so don't argue coverage at the window.
Proof of who you are
A valid state driver's license or a valid state ID card. To drive the car away, you need a valid license. If you only have an ID card, bring a licensed driver with you.
What if I don't have insurance?
Then the car can't be driven off the lot. The city says it must leave on a wrecker, and a truck with a trailer is also fine. Whatever truck comes in has to be insured, and the driver shows proof before rolling onto the lot.
Here's the order that works. Present your papers and pay first. Then sign the city's Release Authorization Form. That form lets a third party, like a tow company, collect the car for you. Only then call for the tow. If the truck arrives before your paperwork clears, it just sits at the gate.
Can someone else pick it up for me?
Yes, with the right papers. The person needs a notarized statement from you that names them. They also need a picture ID or driver's license, and the car's year, make, model and VIN. Every other required document still has to come with them.
The city lists a few special cases:
- Deployed military: a power of attorney plus the deployment orders.
- Owner in jail: a signed Statement of Incarcerated Person, with a description of the car and the name of the person picking it up. Fees get paid before release.
- Owner has died: the legal documents that show who can claim the car.
- Rental, company car, lender or insurer: a valid ID, the registration or a notarized owner statement, and a business card if you represent a company.
How do I pay, and what does it cost?
The facility takes cash, Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover. It does not take personal checks.
The city doesn't post its fees online. Call (501) 918-4260 and ask for the total before you go. Ask what it will be on the day you plan to show up, so the number isn't a surprise.
What if police put a hold on my car?
An officer can place a hold on a car that's under investigation. The storage facility can't lift it. Call LRPD to find out when it will be cleared, then call the facility to arrange pickup.
My stolen car turned up at the lot. Do I pay storage?
Maybe not. Get a copy of your Stolen Vehicle Report from LRPD. The city says that lets you pay only the towing and administrative fees. The catch: you must pick the car up within 5 days of being told it was found.
How long before my car goes to auction?
Don't let it sit. A car left at the facility for 45 days in a row becomes eligible for the city auction. Auctions run on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month. The list of cars appears in the legal notices of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
If you can't get there soon, call the facility and explain. Ask what your options are before the 45 days run out.
What if I think the tow company did me wrong?
Tow businesses in Arkansas are licensed by the Arkansas Towing and Recovery Board, a state agency. The Board has a complaint process for disputes you can't settle with the company directly. Keep your receipts, photos and the tow paperwork. You'll need them if you file.
My car won't start after it sat on the lot. Now what?
Cars at the facility sit outside. Little Rock's airport sees about 51 nights a year at or below freezing and about 69 days at 90°F or hotter, per NOAA normals. Both are hard on a tired battery. A crash may also have left the car unsafe to drive.
- It clicks but won't crank: a jump start may get you rolling once the car is released.
- It won't run, or you have no insurance: book a car tow to your home or a repair shop after you sign the release form.
To be clear, Sentinel doesn't do impounds, releases or private-property tows. You handle the papers and fees with the city. After that, we can help with a car, SUV, minivan or light pickup.
How does Sentinel work?
Sentinel Towing is a towing and roadside network. A vetted local partner tow company does the job. We text you a locked price before anyone is sent, then check on you by text until your truck arrives. That's our Stay-With-You Promise. For breakdowns on I-630, I-430 or the river bridges, see our Little Rock towing page.
Stuck right now? Call 1-888-TOW-1213, or request help online.
Little Rock Impound Questions
What is the phone number for the Little Rock impound lot?
Call the city's Vehicle Storage Facility at (501) 918-4260. Staff there can tell you if your car is on the lot and what you owe. If it's not there, call LRPD at (501) 371-4829.
Is the Little Rock impound open on Sunday?
No. The office is closed Sundays and major holidays. It's open weekdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with a noon to 1 lunch break, and Saturdays 8 a.m. to noon.
Can I get my car out with an expired insurance card?
Not to drive it. The insurance must be current. Without it, the car has to leave on an insured wrecker or a truck with a trailer.
Can Sentinel get my car out of the impound?
No. Sentinel doesn't do impounds or releases. Once you've paid and signed the release form, a vetted local partner can tow the car to your home or a shop.
Rules change, so check the official source before you rely on it. Sources: Little Rock Vehicle Storage Facility, Vehicle Storage FAQ, LRPD contact page, Arkansas Towing and Recovery Board, Board consumer page, NOAA annual normals.
