Start with the towing company that took your car

When your vehicle is towed, the towing company has a legal duty to tell you where it went. Call the police non-emergency line for the jurisdiction where your car was parked — they can tell you which towing company removed it and provide their phone number. If the car was towed from private property (a parking lot, driveway, or business), the property owner or manager may have called the tow directly, so ask them first.

Once you have the towing company's number, call and give them your license plate number or vehicle identification number (VIN). They will tell you the lot location, your current charges, and what you need to bring to retrieve the car. Most towing companies operate during business hours only, so call during the day — many do not answer phones after 5 p.m. or on weekends.

Write down the lot address, the daily storage fee, and the tow fee. Storage charges begin the day after the tow and accumulate quickly — sometimes $25 to $50 per day depending on your state and the lot. The sooner you retrieve your vehicle, the less you will owe.

Key Takeaways

  • Call the police non-emergency line to find out which towing company took your car and get their direct phone number.
  • Have your license plate number or VIN ready when you call the tow lot, and ask for the total amount owed including tow and storage fees.
  • Storage fees accumulate daily, so the cost of retrieving your car increases each day you wait.
  • Bring a valid ID and proof of vehicle ownership (registration or title) to the lot; most lots do not accept payment by phone.
  • If the tow was illegal or the charges seem wrong, you can dispute it with your city or state, but you usually must pay to get the car first.

What documents and payment to bring to the lot

Towing lots require proof that you own the vehicle before they release it. Bring your driver's license or state ID and your vehicle registration or title. If someone else is picking up the car on your behalf, bring a signed note from you authorizing them, along with both your ID and theirs.

Most towing lots accept cash, debit cards, and credit cards, but call ahead to confirm what they take. Some smaller lots are cash-only. If you cannot pay the full amount when ready, ask whether they offer a payment plan — some do, though many require at least half the fee upfront before releasing the vehicle.

Bring any personal items you left in the car in a separate bag. The tow lot is not responsible for items inside the vehicle, and they may charge you a fee to retrieve them if they have been stored separately.

Finding a towed car when you do not know which company took it

If the police will not tell you which towing company removed your car, or if you cannot reach the company they name, search your city or county's online tow database. Many cities maintain a public list of all towed vehicles, searchable by license plate or VIN. Search "[your city name] towed vehicle database" or "[your city name] tow lot locator" to find it.

If your city does not have an online database, call the police non-emergency line again and ask for the tow lot's address directly. Some jurisdictions require tow companies to report all tows to a central dispatcher within a set time — usually 30 minutes to an hour — so the police should have a record even if you cannot reach the company when ready.

If your car was towed from a private lot or business, the property owner is required by law in most states to post the towing company's name and phone number on the property. If you can return to where the car was parked, look for a sign near the entrance or on the gate. Take a photo of it for your records.

Understanding tow fees and storage charges

Tow fees and storage charges vary widely by state and locality. A standard tow typically costs $75 to $150, and daily storage runs $15 to $50 depending on the lot and your region. Some states cap these fees by law; others do not. Ask the towing company for an itemized breakdown of all charges before you pay.

If your car was towed for a parking violation, unpaid tickets, or an accident, the city or police department may have placed a hold on the vehicle. This means you cannot retrieve it until you resolve the underlying issue — paying the ticket, clearing the hold, or providing proof of insurance. The tow lot will tell you if a hold exists when you call.

Storage fees continue to accumulate even if a hold is in place. If you cannot resolve the hold when ready, ask the lot whether they will reduce storage fees or pause them while you work on clearing the hold. Some lots will negotiate, especially if you are actively working to resolve the issue.

What to do if the tow was illegal or the charges are wrong

If you believe your car was towed illegally — for example, from a legal parking spot, without proper signage, or without following your state's notice requirements — you can file a complaint with your city or county. However, you will usually need to pay the tow and storage fees first to retrieve your car, then pursue a refund through a formal dispute process.

Contact your city's consumer protection office, the police department's non-emergency line, or your state's attorney general's office to learn how to file a complaint. Keep all receipts and documentation from the tow lot, including the itemized bill, the lot address, and the date and time of the tow. Take photos of the parking area if you can return to it, showing whether proper signage was posted.

Some states allow you to sue a towing company in small claims court for illegal tows or excessive fees. The threshold for small claims varies by state — typically $5,000 to $10,000 — so check your state's rules. You will need to prove the tow violated state law or local ordinance, which is why documentation is critical.

Retrieving your car from the lot

Call the tow lot to confirm their hours before you go. Many lots close by 5 or 6 p.m. and do not open on weekends or holidays. Some operate 24 hours but require advance notice if you are coming after hours. Bring your ID, proof of ownership, and payment in the form they accept.

When you arrive, the lot attendant will verify your identity and ownership, show you the vehicle to confirm it is yours, and then process payment. Inspect the car for damage before you leave — take photos or video if you notice dents, scratches, or missing items. Ask the lot for a written receipt showing the date, amount paid, and what the charges covered.

If the car will not start or you notice mechanical damage that was not there before the tow, report it to the lot when ready and ask them to document it. Tow lots are required to handle vehicles with reasonable care, and you may have a claim against them if they caused damage. Get the lot manager's name and the date and time of your report in writing.

Preventing future tows

Check parking signs carefully before you leave your car anywhere. No-parking zones, street cleaning hours, and permit-only areas are common reasons for tows. If you are unsure whether parking is allowed, move the car or ask the property owner or manager.

Keep your vehicle registration current and your insurance active. Many tows happen because of expired registration or lapsed insurance, which police can see from a license plate scan. Renew both before they expire.

If you park on private property, ask the owner or manager about towing policies. Some lots tow when ready for any violation; others give warnings first. Knowing the policy helps you avoid a costly surprise.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long can a tow lot hold my car?

Most states allow tow lots to hold a vehicle for 30 to 90 days before they can sell it to cover unpaid fees. However, storage charges continue to accumulate during this time, so the longer you wait, the more you will owe. Contact the lot when ready to learn their specific timeline and your options.

What if I cannot afford to pay the tow and storage fees right now?

Ask the tow lot whether they offer payment plans or will accept partial payment to release the vehicle. Some lots will work with you if you show good faith by paying something upfront. If the lot refuses, contact your city's legal aid office or consumer protection agency to learn whether your state has rules about payment plans for tows.

Can I get my personal items out of the car before I pay the tow fee?

Most tow lots will not let you access the vehicle until the fee is paid in full. If you left something valuable or essential inside, call the lot and explain the situation — some will retrieve specific items for you, though they may charge a small fee. Ask what their policy is before you visit.

What if the tow lot says my car is not there?

Ask the lot to search their records by VIN as well as license plate, in case there was a data entry error. If they still cannot find it, call the police non-emergency line and ask them to verify which company towed the vehicle. It is possible the car went to a different lot than the one you were given, or the police records are outdated.

Do I have to pay the tow fee if I did not authorize the tow?

Yes, you are responsible for tow and storage fees even if you did not authorize the tow, as long as the tow was legal. However, if the tow violated state law or local ordinance, you may be able to recover the fees through a complaint or small claims court. Pay to retrieve your car first, then pursue a refund through the proper channels.