Start with the police non-emergency line or parking enforcement

The fastest way to learn about your car was towed is to call your local police department's non-emergency number or your city's parking enforcement office. Have your license plate number and vehicle identification number (VIN) ready — you can find the VIN on your registration or on the dashboard at the base of the windshield on the driver's side. The dispatcher can tell you in minutes whether your car is in their system and where it was taken.

If you don't know the non-emergency number, search online for "[your city name] police non-emergency" or "[your city name] parking enforcement." Many cities also list this number on their official website under parking or transportation. If you were towed from private property — a parking lot, apartment complex, or business — the property owner or manager may have called a private towing company instead of police, so you'll need to contact them first to find out which company has your car.

Key Takeaways

  • Call your city's police non-emergency line or parking enforcement office with your license plate number to learn if your car was towed and where it is.
  • If your car was towed from private property, contact the property owner or manager to find out which towing company has it.
  • Tow yards typically charge a towing fee plus daily storage fees, and you'll need your driver's license and proof of vehicle ownership to retrieve it.
  • If you believe your car was towed illegally or without proper notice, ask for documentation of the violation and the tow authorization before paying.

Check with the tow yard directly

Once you know which tow yard has your car, call them to confirm it's there and ask about fees. The tow yard will ask for your license plate number or VIN. They'll tell you the towing fee (usually $100 to $300, though this varies by location and vehicle size), the daily storage fee (typically $15 to $50 per day), and whether they accept cash, card, or both. Some yards require you to pay before you can even look at the vehicle.

Ask the tow yard their hours of operation and whether you need to bring anything besides payment. Most require a valid driver's license and proof that you own the vehicle — your registration, title, or insurance card will work. If someone else will pick up the car, ask whether they can do so with a notarized letter from you or whether you must be present. Some yards have strict rules about this.

What to bring when you retrieve your car

Bring your driver's license, your vehicle registration or title, and a valid payment method. If the tow yard accepts only cash and you don't have enough, ask whether they'll hold the car while you go to an ATM — most will, but confirm first. If someone else is picking up your car on your behalf, bring a notarized letter authorizing them, or call ahead to ask what the yard requires.

Before you pay, ask to see the tow authorization and any citation or violation notice. If you were towed for a parking violation, you have the right to see the evidence that the violation occurred. If the tow seems wrong — for example, if you were parked legally or the notice was posted after you parked — ask the tow yard for the documentation in writing and consider contesting the tow before you pay. Some cities allow you to dispute a tow through the parking violations office or in traffic court.

If your car was towed from private property

Private property tows work differently from city tows. The property owner or manager decides whether to tow, and they choose the towing company. Call the property owner, manager, or the business whose lot your car was in and ask which tow yard they use. They should be able to tell you when ready. If they won't say, ask for the tow company's name in writing — you have the right to know where your car is.

Private tow yards may charge higher fees than municipal ones, and they may have stricter payment policies. Some require payment before you can even see the car. Ask whether the property owner will negotiate a lower fee or whether they'll contact the tow yard on your behalf. If the tow was done without proper notice — for example, if there was no visible sign saying cars would be towed — you may have grounds to dispute the charges, though you'll likely need to pay first and then pursue a refund through small claims court.

Contesting a tow if you believe it was illegal

If you think your car was towed without proper cause, ask the tow yard or the city for written documentation of the violation. Most cities require that parking signs be clearly visible and that violators be given notice before a tow occurs. If there was no sign, or if you were parked legally, you can dispute the tow through your city's parking violations office or in traffic court.

Contact your city's parking violations office or traffic court to ask how to file a dispute. You'll usually need to provide photos of the parking area (showing whether signs were visible), your registration, and any other evidence that you were parked legally. The process takes weeks or months, and you may have to pay the tow fee upfront to get your car back, then seek a refund if you win the dispute. Some cities allow you to contest the tow before paying; ask when you call.

What happens if you can't pay the tow fee right away

Storage fees add up quickly — a car left in a tow yard for a week can cost $200 to $400 in storage alone on top of the initial tow fee. Call the tow yard and ask whether they offer payment plans or whether they'll negotiate a lower fee. Some yards will work with you if you explain your situation; others won't. Ask in writing if they deny a payment plan, so you have documentation.

If the tow was done by the city for a parking violation, contact your city's parking violations office to ask whether you can set up a payment plan for the violation fine itself. This won't reduce the tow yard fees, but it may help you manage the total cost. Some cities also have hardship programs for people who can't pay parking fines; ask whether one exists in your area.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long will the tow yard hold my car if I don't pick it up?

Most tow yards hold cars for 30 days before selling them at auction, though this varies by state and by the tow yard's contract with the city. Call the tow yard when ready and ask their specific policy. If you can't pay right away, ask whether they'll extend the hold if you contact them before the important date.

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

Some tow yards will let you retrieve personal items from your car without paying the full fee; others won't. Call and ask. If they allow it, they may charge a small fee or require you to sign a waiver. Don't assume — ask before you go.

What if I have a loan on the car or it's leased?

If you're financing or leasing the car, contact your lender or leasing company when ready. They may have insurance that covers towing, or they may require you to retrieve the car within a certain timeframe. Your lease agreement may also specify what happens if the car is towed.

Can I sue the tow yard if they damaged my car?

Yes, you can file a claim in small claims court if the tow yard damaged your vehicle. Take photos of any damage before you leave the lot, and ask the tow yard for a written statement of the car's condition when it arrived. Keep all receipts and documentation of the tow and any repairs you need.