What cops can really do to your car after they arrest you — TikTok’s ex–felon lawyer says it’s not what you think

There’s nothing worse than getting pulled over when you know you’re definitely in the wrong — especially if your car gets towed. But beyond that, the biggest mystery has always been what exactly happens after your car is towed. A TikTok user decided to finally get people in the know with basic information about what might happen.

The biggest reason you would ever have your car towed when you’re pulled over is a DUI. If that’s the case, you deserve everything that comes to you. Seriously, don’t drink and drive. But that’s not the only reason you’d get your car towed. Recently, there was a TikTok influencer who got pulled over because the cops saw her shoplifting on her TikTok “shopping haul” — and after she was found lying on the floor of her car, an arrest and a towing quickly followed.

So say you also just got caught trying to get a five-finger discount at your local struggling Target, TikTok user rebuildwithryan shared exactly what you can expect. The TikTok user just so happens to be an ex-felon and also has a law degree, so whatever he has to say about towing should be taken seriously.

There’s no standardized way specific states deal with towed cars, but the first thing the TikTok user wants you to remember are your Fourth Amendment rights. He explained, “And here’s where most people mess up. They think police automatically get to go through [the vehicle]. But they actually don’t.”

He explained to his followers that there’s a caveat that police are likely to use when they don’t want to violate the rights of the person they just arrested. While the cops are unlikely to rip open seats looking for evidence, they are still bound by their duty to look through the glove box, open the hood, and take valuables to store in inventory for recollection after the case is over.

According to Motor1, there’s also another piece of advice that’s considered critical for people who just had their car towed — every second counts. They explain that waiting a week to have your car released from the impound could mean a thousand dollars in hefty fees. The TikTok user also advises that if the police insist on holding your vehicle as evidence — that’s the point where you would need a lawyer to file a motion for release. It also sounds obvious, but always carry all your paperwork when you finally go to get your car too; that includes valid ID and proof of ownership.

One thing you can’t avoid, however, is the hefty fees that towing will accrue. One user in the comments said that his car was towed and in two days alone the fees amounted to $600. So that just highlights how quickly you need to act if you’re in such a situation. Keep it there long enough, and you might end up paying more in fees than what you initially negotiated to get the whole car.

The aim of the game is to act quickly — just cover the open wound as fast as possible.