Driving Under the Influence (DUI) Impounds
If a peace officer arrests or cites the operator of an on- or off-road vehicle for DUI (Driving Under the Influence) or of a boat for a BUI (Boating Under the Influence), the officer is required by Utah law to seize and impound the vehicle or boat.
DUI Release Procedures
To obtain a release, the vehicle owner must:
- Present legal picture identification that proves them to be the legal, registered owner.
- Provide a copy of the TC-540 Vehicle Impound Report, which is provided by the arresting officer. To be released from impound, the vehicle must be properly registered. If the Vehicle Impound Report shows the vehicle is not properly registered, the vehicle must be registered and all taxes and fees paid before release.
- Pay a $230 DUI impound fee in addition to any other taxes or fees due. The DUI fee applies to off-highway vehicles as well. The impound fee for BUI (boating under the influence) is $230.
Note: The registered owner must pay the DUI fee, regardless of whether or not the owner was the driver arrested for DUI.
The vehicle owner will then be given a letter of release. If the vehicle is not claimed within 30 days, legal procedures will be initiated to sell the vehicle.
"Not a Drop" Impounds
Utah law prohibits anyone under the age of 21 from drinking "a drop" of alcohol. When an under-aged person is stopped by a police officer, their vehicle may be impounded if the driver has been drinking, even if the driver's blood alcohol level is lower than Utah’s standard for a DUI. The owner of a vehicle impounded under the "Not A Drop" law is subject to the same procedure as other "DUI" impounds. The owner of the vehicle is still the one required to obtain the release.
Refund of DUI Fee
Utah law requires the Division of Motor Vehicles to collect a $230 reinstatement fee prior to releasing any vehicle that is impounded during an arrest for driving under the influence. The DMV will refund the fee ONLY if the vehicle owner provides evidence or documentation for one of the following situations:
- Proof of duplicate payment.
- The owner filed a bona fide stolen vehicle report with a police agency and submits a copy of the police report with the refund request within 30 days of the date of the impound.
- The owner submits a letter from the Driver License Division stating that the operator's driver license will not be revoked or suspended as a result of this incident. The refund request must be submitted within 30 days of the date of the Driver License Division letter.
The vehicle owner must attach a copy of the required documents to the completed Form TC-542, "Request for Refund of DUI Administrative Impound Fee", and mail to:
Utah State Tax Commission
Attn: DMV Accounting
210 N 1950 W
Salt Lake City, UT 84134
Upon receipt of your request and the supporting documentation, the Commission will process the refund request through the Department of Finance. The Department of Finance will issue the refund check to the mailing address indicated on the Form TC-542. Please allow 6 - 8 weeks from the date received for processing.
