Start with the towing company that took your car

The police or parking enforcement officer who authorized the tow will have written down which company did it. Call the police non-emergency line for the city or county where your car was towed and give them the location and approximate time. They will tell you the towing company's name and phone number. Have your license plate number ready when you call.

Once you have the towing company's name, call them directly. They will ask for your license plate number, vehicle identification number (VIN), or driver's license number to look up where your car is being held. Most towing companies keep cars in a fenced lot, and they can tell you the address, their hours, and what you need to bring to pick it up.

If you do not know which police department authorized the tow, start with the city or county where you parked. The non-emergency dispatch line can search their records by your license plate number and tell you whether they ordered the tow.

Key Takeaways

  • Call the police non-emergency line for the city where your car was towed, give them your license plate number, and they will tell you which towing company has it.
  • The towing company will need your license plate number, VIN, or driver's license number to confirm your car's location and storage fees.
  • Most towing companies operate during business hours only, so confirm their hours before you go to pick up your car.
  • You will need a valid ID and payment for towing and storage fees before the company will release your car to you.
  • If your car was towed from private property, contact the property owner or manager first — they may know which towing company they use.

If your car was towed from private property

Private property tows work differently than police tows. The property owner or manager — such as an apartment complex, parking lot operator, or business — decides which towing company to use. Call the property owner or manager and ask which company towed your car. They usually have a contract with one or two specific companies and can give you the name and number when ready.

Some property managers keep a list of towed vehicles posted at the entrance or on their website. Check there first before calling. If you cannot reach the property manager during business hours, try calling back during their posted office hours or leave a message with your phone number.

What information you will need to retrieve your car

When you call the towing company or arrive at their lot, have these items ready: your driver's license or state ID, proof of vehicle ownership (registration or title), and payment for towing and storage fees. The towing company will not release your car without proof that you own it.

Storage fees begin the day your car is towed and increase each day it remains in the lot. Towing fees and daily storage rates vary by company and by state, so ask the towing company for the total amount owed before you go to pick up your car. Some companies accept cash, credit cards, or checks; ask which payment methods they take.

If you cannot pay the full amount when ready, ask whether the towing company offers a payment plan. Some will hold your car for a few days while you arrange payment, but this is not may provide. The longer your car sits, the more storage fees accumulate.

How to find a towed car in a different city

If you were towed while traveling or visiting another city, call the police non-emergency line for that city and provide your license plate number. They will search their records and tell you whether a tow was authorized in their jurisdiction. If your car was towed in a city you do not live in, you may be able to have the towing company hold your car while you arrange to pick it up later, though you will continue to pay storage fees each day.

Some cities maintain online databases of recently towed vehicles. Search "[city name] towed vehicles" or "[city name] police towing" to see whether the city posts this information online. A few large cities allow you to search by license plate number on their website.

What to do if you cannot find your car

If the police department has no record of a tow and the towing company you contacted does not have your car, your vehicle may have been stolen rather than towed. File a police report for vehicle theft in the city where you parked. Bring your registration, title, and a photo of your car if you have one. The police will give you a report number, which you will need for your insurance claim.

If you believe your car was towed illegally — for example, from a legal parking spot with no tow-away signs — you can dispute the tow with the towing company or the city. Ask the towing company for a copy of the tow authorization form, which shows the reason the car was towed and who authorized it. If the authorization appears invalid, you may be able to recover your towing and storage fees through small claims court or by filing a complaint with your city's parking enforcement office.

Understanding towing fees and storage costs

Towing fees cover the cost of the truck and driver who removed your car from the street or lot. Storage fees are charged for each day your car remains in the towing company's lot. Both fees vary widely depending on your location, the type of vehicle, and the distance towed. In some states, towing and storage fees are capped by law; in others, companies set their own rates.

Ask the towing company for an itemized bill showing the towing fee, the daily storage rate, and the total number of days charged. If the charges seem unusually high, you can contact your city's consumer protection office or the state attorney general's office to ask whether the fees comply with local regulations.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Most towing companies will let you remove personal items from your car at no charge, even if you have not paid the towing and storage fees yet. Call ahead and ask whether you can access your car during business hours. Bring your ID and be prepared to show proof of ownership.

What if I do not have my registration or title with me?

Bring your driver's license and any other photo ID you have. The towing company may accept a utility bill or insurance card with your name and address as proof of ownership. Call the company before you go and ask what documents they will accept.

Can I dispute a tow if I think it was done illegally?

Yes. Ask the towing company for a copy of the tow authorization form, which shows who ordered the tow and why. If the authorization appears invalid or the signage was missing, you can file a complaint with your city's parking enforcement office or pursue a refund through small claims court.

How long will the towing company hold my car if I cannot pick it up right away?

Towing companies are not required to hold cars indefinitely. Most will hold a car for several days to a few weeks, but storage fees continue to accumulate each day. Call the company and ask how long they will hold your car and what the total fees will be by your expected pickup date.

What if the towing company lost or damaged my car?

Document any damage with photos before you leave the lot. Ask the towing company for a written incident report and get the name and contact information of the manager on duty. You can file a claim with the towing company's insurance or pursue damages through small claims court if the company refuses to pay.