Yes. If you get arrested for DUI or Physical Control anywhere in Washington State, the Police, Sheriff or State Patrol must now impound your vehicle for a mandatory 12- hours. Your vehicle will not be released by the towing company for 12-hours.
Under the new State law that became effective on July 22, 2011 there are three exceptions to the mandatory 12-hour - no release- requirement: (1) If the car is owned by someone other than the person arrested, the owner can reclaim the car at the impound lot; (2) a registered co-owner can claim the car; and (3) commercial and farm vehicles can be reclaimed by the legal owner if it's not the person arrested.
