Start with the towing company that took your car

When your car is towed, the police or parking enforcement officer who authorized the tow writes a report. That report goes to the towing company, and the towing company is required by law to keep a record of where your car is stored. Your first step is to call the police non-emergency line or the parking enforcement office that issued the citation, and ask them which towing company removed your car. They will give you the company name and usually a phone number.

Once you have the towing company's name, call them directly. Have your license plate number, vehicle identification number (VIN), or the date and location where your car was towed. The towing company can tell you when ready whether they have your car, what lot it is stored in, what the towing and storage fees are, and what hours the lot is open for pickup. Many towing companies operate 24 hours, but some close at night or on weekends.

If the police or parking enforcement office cannot tell you which company towed your car, ask them to look up the tow report by your license plate number. Every tow is documented, and they can retrieve that information while you are on the phone.

Key Takeaways

  • Call the police non-emergency line or parking enforcement office first — they know which towing company took your car and can give you the company's phone number.
  • Have your license plate number, VIN, or the date and location of the tow ready when you call the towing company, so they can locate your car quickly.
  • Towing and storage fees begin when ready after the tow and increase each day your car sits in the lot, so retrieving it sooner costs less.
  • You will need a valid ID and proof of ownership (registration or title) to pick up your car, and most lots accept cash, card, or both.
  • If you cannot find your car through the towing company, contact your city or county's parking enforcement office — they maintain a master list of all active tows.

What to bring when you pick up your car

Before you go to the towing lot, gather your documents. You will need a valid government-issued ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID) and proof that you own the vehicle. Proof of ownership is usually your vehicle registration, title, or insurance card — anything with your name and the vehicle's license plate or VIN on it.

Bring a payment method as well. Most towing lots accept cash, debit cards, and credit cards, but call ahead to confirm what they take. Towing fees vary widely by location and the type of vehicle, but storage fees are typically charged per day and start the moment your car arrives at the lot. The longer your car sits, the more you owe.

Understanding towing and storage fees

Towing fees cover the cost of removing and transporting your car. Storage fees cover the cost of keeping it in the lot. Both fees are set by state law or local ordinance, which means they vary depending on where you live and why your car was towed. A car towed for a parking violation may have different fees than one towed for being abandoned or illegally parked in a handicapped space.

Storage fees are charged per day, usually starting at midnight of the day the car arrived. If your car was towed on a Monday at 3 p.m., you may be charged for the full Monday, then for each subsequent day. Some jurisdictions charge a lower rate for the first day and a higher rate for each day after. Call the towing company and ask them to quote the total cost — towing plus storage through today — so you know exactly what you owe before you arrive.

If you cannot afford to retrieve your car when ready, storage fees will continue to accumulate. Some towing companies offer payment plans, though this is not required by law. Ask when you call whether they will work with you on a payment arrangement.

If your car was towed from a private lot

Cars towed from private property (apartment complexes, shopping centers, private parking lots) follow different rules than cars towed from public streets. The property owner or manager authorized the tow, not the police. In this case, call the property manager or owner first — they can tell you which towing company was used and may have additional information about fees or conditions for release.

Private towing companies sometimes have stricter requirements for pickup. Some require that the property owner or manager sign off on the release, or that you pay a fine to the property owner in addition to towing and storage fees. Ask the property manager what you need to do before you call the towing company, so you do not make a wasted trip to the lot.

What to do if you cannot locate your car

If the police or parking enforcement office says they have no record of a tow, or if the towing company says they do not have your car, contact your city or county's parking enforcement or public works department directly. They maintain a master database of all tows in your jurisdiction and can search by license plate, VIN, or the date and location where you last saw your car.

It is also possible your car was not towed but stolen. If you have searched all local towing companies and the city has no record of a tow, file a police report for a stolen vehicle. The police report creates an official record and may help you with your insurance claim if you have comprehensive coverage.

Retrieving your car if you do not have the title

Some people do not have their vehicle title readily available — it may be lost, at a lender's office, or held by someone else. You can still retrieve your car from the towing lot. Bring your registration and a valid ID. If the registration is in your name and matches your ID, most towing lots will release the car to you. The lot is holding your car for safekeeping, not verifying ownership in the legal sense.

If your registration is not in your name, or if you are picking up someone else's car, call the towing lot ahead of time and ask what documents they need. Some lots require a notarized letter from the registered owner, or a power of attorney. Getting clarity before you arrive saves time and frustration.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long can a towing company keep my car?

Towing companies must release your car to you once you pay the fees and show proof of ownership. They cannot hold your car indefinitely. However, if you do not retrieve it within a certain period (usually 30 to 90 days, depending on your state), the towing company may have the right to sell the vehicle to cover unpaid fees. Check your state's laws or ask the towing lot what their timeline is.

Can I dispute the tow or the fees?

Yes. If you believe your car was towed illegally or the fees are incorrect, you can file a complaint with your city or county's parking enforcement office or consumer protection agency. You may also be able to contest the original citation in traffic court. However, you typically must pay the towing and storage fees to retrieve your car first, then pursue a refund through the dispute process.

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

Call the towing company and explain your situation. Some companies offer payment plans or will negotiate a reduced fee. If you cannot reach an agreement, contact your city or county's parking enforcement office — they sometimes have hardship programs or can direct you to local resources that help with towing fees. The longer you wait, the higher the storage fees become, so addressing this quickly is important.

Do I need the original keys to pick up my car?

No. You do not need the keys to retrieve your car from the towing lot. You need a valid ID and proof of ownership. The towing lot will release the car to you, and you can arrange to have it towed to a mechanic or your home if you do not have the keys.

What happens if my car was towed and I have an outstanding loan on it?

If a lender holds the title, you still own the car and can retrieve it by paying the towing and storage fees. The lender's interest in the car does not prevent you from picking it up. However, if your car was repossessed (towed because you missed loan payments), that is a different situation — contact your lender directly to understand your options.