Start with the towing company or police non-emergency line
When your car is towed, it goes to one of three places: a police impound lot, a private towing company's yard, or a storage facility contracted by the city or county. The fastest way to find out which one has your car is to call your local police non-emergency line — not 911 — and give them your license plate number. They can tell you in minutes whether the car is in police custody and where.
If the police don't have it, ask them which towing companies work in your area. Most cities contract with a small number of companies for traffic enforcement tows. The dispatcher can usually name them or direct you to a city website listing authorized towers. Then call each company with your plate number and vehicle description.
Write down the name of whoever tells you they have your car, the lot address, the phone number you called, and the time. You will need this information to retrieve the car.
Key Takeaways
- Call your local police non-emergency line first with your license plate number — they know when ready whether your car is in an impound lot or with a private towing company.
- Towed cars are held at police impounds, private towing yards, or city storage facilities, and each has different hours, payment methods, and document requirements.
- Bring your driver's license, proof of vehicle ownership (registration or title), and payment for towing and storage fees before you go to retrieve your car.
- Storage fees accumulate daily, so the longer you wait, the more you owe — some lots charge $25 to $75 per day depending on your location.
- If you believe the tow was illegal, you can file a complaint with your city or county, but you usually have to pay to get the car out first and pursue a refund later.
What documents and payment you need to bring
Before you go to the lot, gather your driver's license and proof that you own the vehicle. Proof of ownership is usually your vehicle registration, title, or insurance card — call the lot ahead to ask which they accept. Some lots will not release a car to anyone but the registered owner, while others allow a family member or authorized person with a notarized letter from the owner.
Bring cash or a debit card. Most towing companies and impound lots accept both, but some older facilities may take only cash. Ask on the phone what they charge for towing (usually $150 to $300) and storage (usually $25 to $75 per day, varying by location). The total amount owed is towing plus storage for each day the car has been held. Some lots will not tell you the exact amount until you arrive, but they can give you an estimate.
If you cannot pay the full amount when ready, ask whether the lot offers a payment plan. Some do; many do not. If you genuinely cannot pay, ask whether your city or county has a hardship program or whether the lot can hold the car while you arrange a loan or ask family for help.
How to retrieve your car from a police impound
Police impounds have specific hours, often limited to weekday business hours or one evening per week. Call ahead to confirm when they are open — many close at 5 p.m. and do not open on weekends. Bring your driver's license, vehicle registration, and payment.
At the impound, tell the staff your name and license plate number. They will verify that you are the registered owner and that all fees are paid. Once payment clears, they will retrieve your car from the lot and bring it to you. Inspect the car for damage before you leave and report any new damage to the staff on duty — get a written note of the damage and the time you reported it.
If your car was towed for a traffic violation or because it was parked illegally, you may also owe a citation fine. The impound staff can tell you whether a fine is attached to the hold. You may be able to pay the fine at the impound, or you may need to pay it separately through the court or a city payment portal.
How to retrieve your car from a private towing company
Private towing yards often have longer hours than police impounds — many stay open until 6 or 7 p.m. and some open on Saturday mornings. Call the yard to confirm their hours and ask whether they require advance notice before you come to pick up your car.
Bring your driver's license, vehicle registration, and payment. At the yard, give the staff your name and license plate number. They will confirm the charges and process payment. Once the payment is complete, they will bring your car around. Check the car for damage, fuel level, and that your belongings are still inside before you drive away.
Some private towing companies charge additional fees beyond towing and storage — for example, a gate fee, a lot fee, or a release fee. Ask on the phone what the total cost will be, including any add-on fees. If the charges seem very high, you can ask the company to itemize them and explain what each one covers.
Storage fees add up quickly — act soon
Every day your car sits in a lot, storage charges accumulate. A car held for five days at $40 per day costs $200 in storage alone, on top of the towing fee. After two weeks, storage can exceed the towing cost. After a month, the total can be several hundred dollars.
If you cannot retrieve your car when ready, call the lot and ask whether they will hold it for a specific number of days without additional charges, or whether they offer a reduced rate for longer-term storage. Some lots do; most do not. The sooner you retrieve your car, the less you pay.
What to do if you believe the tow was illegal
If you think your car was towed without legal cause — for example, you were parked legally, or the tow happened without proper notice — you have the right to file a complaint. However, you will usually have to pay the towing and storage fees first to get your car back, then pursue a refund through a complaint or small claims court later.
To file a complaint, contact your city or county's transportation department, parking enforcement office, or consumer protection agency. They can investigate whether the tow company followed the law. You can also file a complaint with your state's attorney general office. Keep all receipts and documentation of what you paid.
If you want to pursue a refund, you can file a claim in small claims court in the county where the tow occurred. You will need to show that the tow was illegal — for example, by providing photos of the parking lot showing no "No Parking" sign, or proof that you were parked in a legal space. Small claims court has a filing fee (usually $50 to $200) and a limit on how much you can recover (usually $5,000 to $10,000, depending on your state).
Finding your car if you do not know which city towed it
If your car was towed from a location you are not sure about, or if you were out of town when it happened, start by calling the police non-emergency line in the city where you last parked the car. If that city does not have it, ask for the names of nearby cities' impound lots and call them as well.
Some states have a statewide database or hotline for towed vehicles. Search online for "[your state] towed vehicle database" or "[your state] find towed car" to see whether your state offers this service. A few states allow you to search online by license plate; most require a phone call.
If you still cannot locate your car after calling local impounds, contact your insurance company. They sometimes help track down towed vehicles, especially if the car was towed after an accident or traffic stop.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone else pick up my car if I am not available?
Most impounds and towing yards require the registered owner to be present with a valid ID. Some allow a family member or authorized person if you provide a notarized letter giving them permission. Call the lot ahead and ask what proof they need — a notarized letter, a power of attorney, or a signed note from you.
What if I cannot afford to pay the towing and storage fees?
Ask the lot whether they offer a payment plan or reduced rate. Some do. You can also ask whether your city or county has a hardship program for people who cannot pay impound fees. Contact your local legal aid office or community action agency to ask whether they know of any programs in your area.
How long can a towing company hold my car?
Laws vary by state and city. Most places allow a towing company to hold a car for 30 to 90 days before they can sell it or scrap it. If you do not retrieve your car within that window, you may lose it. Call the lot and ask what their important date is.
Do I have to pay a citation fine to get my car back?
If your car was towed because of a traffic violation, the impound may hold it until the citation fine is paid. Ask the impound staff whether a fine is attached to your hold. You can usually pay the fine at the impound, through the court, or online through your city's payment portal.
What if my car was damaged while it was being towed?
Inspect your car carefully before you leave the lot and report any new damage to the staff when ready. Ask them to document the damage in writing and give you a copy. Take photos of the damage. You can then file a claim with the towing company's insurance or pursue a small claims court case against the company.