What to do if your car was towed: finding it and getting it back

Find out who has your car

When a car is missing from where you left it, the first question is whether it was towed or stolen. Some places to check:

• Signs where you parked. Private lots that tow usually post signs naming the towing company and a phone number.
• The local police non-emergency line. Tows ordered by police, and many private tows, are reported to police. They can usually tell you whether your plate shows a tow and which company has it.
• Online tow lookup tools. Some cities run a search by plate or VIN.
• The property manager or business, if you were parked in a private lot.

If no one has a record of a tow, report the car as stolen. When you do find it, write down the company name, lot address, hours, phone number and the name of whoever you spoke with.

Why speed matters

Tow companies generally charge a towing fee plus a storage fee that grows each day the car sits on the lot. Some also add charges for after-hours release or administrative steps. The amounts and the limits on them depend on your state and city, and sometimes on whether the tow was ordered by police or by a private property owner.

Because storage keeps adding up, many people pick up the car as quickly as they can, even if they plan to dispute the tow. Paying to get your car back is usually not the same as agreeing the tow was proper. You can often pay, keep the receipt, and challenge it afterward.

If the car sits long enough, the company may be able to start a process to sell it to cover its charges. Timelines vary by state, but they are a reason not to wait.

What to bring to the lot

Call ahead to confirm hours, the total owed, accepted payment methods, and what documents they need. Requirements vary, but many lots ask for:

• A valid government photo ID.
• Proof of ownership, such as the registration or title, matching the name on the ID.
• Proof of insurance, in some places.
• Payment in an accepted form. Ask directly whether cards are taken; do not assume.
• A release form from the police, if the tow was police-ordered. Some agencies require you to get this first.

If the car is registered to someone else, such as a parent or a leasing company, ask what authorization the lot needs. A signed letter from the owner and a copy of their ID is a common requirement. Bringing a second person who can drive is useful if the car may not be in shape to drive.

Before you pay and drive away

Once you sign a release and leave, it is much harder to show that damage happened during the tow. Before signing, many people:

1. Ask to see the car before paying, if the lot allows it.
2. Walk around the car and take photos and video of every side, the bumpers, the wheels and underneath the front and back.
3. Check the interior and trunk to confirm nothing is missing.
4. Note the mileage and fuel level.
5. Point out any new damage to the staff and ask them to note it in writing.
6. Get an itemized receipt showing every charge, the tow time, and where the car was towed from.

Stay polite even if you are frustrated. Arguing at the window rarely changes the bill, and a calm, documented record is more useful later.

If you think the tow was wrong

Many states and cities have rules about when a private property owner can tow, what signs must be posted, how much can be charged, and what notice police must receive. A tow may be worth challenging if, for example, there were no clear signs, you were parked legally, the fees exceed posted or legal limits, or the car was damaged.

Gather evidence soon:

• Photos of where you parked, including the signs, or the lack of them.
• Any permit, receipt or ticket showing you were allowed to park there.
• The itemized receipt and photos of any damage.

Options may include a tow hearing with the city or police agency, a complaint to the agency that licenses tow companies, a written demand to the tow company, or small claims court. Some of these have short deadlines. See Deadlines and time limits.

Common mistakes

Tows are stressful, and a few mistakes make them worse:

• Leaving the car on the lot as a protest. Storage usually keeps adding up while you wait, and the dispute can happen after you get the car back.
• Driving away without inspecting. Damage is much harder to prove once you leave.
• Losing the receipt. An itemized receipt is the basis for any refund request or hearing.
• Arguing or making threats at the lot. It rarely helps and can lead to staff refusing service or calling police.
• Waiting too long to dispute. Hearing and complaint deadlines can be short. Check them while the details are fresh.

When a lawyer may help

Most tow disputes are small, and many people handle them on their own. A lawyer may be worth talking to when:

• The car was seriously damaged or has been sold.
• Personal property in the car is missing and valuable.
• The tow followed a police stop or search you believe was improper.
• Your car was repossessed rather than towed, which follows different rules.
• The tow company refuses to release the car despite proper paperwork.

If the tow followed a traffic stop, a recording and notes from the stop may matter. See Pulled over by police and Towed vehicle.