Start with the towing company that impounded your vehicle

When your car is towed, the towing company holds the physical vehicle and keeps records of where it went. Your first step is to contact the tow operator directly — not the police, not the city, not your insurance company. The tow operator knows exactly which lot your car is in and what you owe to get it back.

To find the right towing company, call the police non-emergency line for the jurisdiction where your car was towed and ask which company responded to that location. Give them the street address, the date, and your vehicle's license plate number. The dispatcher can tell you the company name and phone number in minutes. If you were present when the car was towed, the tow truck driver should have given you a receipt with the company's name and lot address on it.

Once you have the towing company's number, call and provide your license plate number or vehicle identification number (VIN). They will confirm they have the car, tell you the storage address, and quote the total cost — usually a tow fee ($75 to $300 depending on distance and local rates), a daily storage fee ($15 to $50 per day), and any administrative charges. Ask whether they accept cash, card, or both, and what their hours are.

Key Takeaways

  • The towing company that impounded your car holds it and keeps the records; call the police non-emergency line to get their name and number if you do not have a receipt.
  • Storage fees accumulate daily, so the longer you wait the more you owe — costs typically range from $15 to $50 per day on top of the initial tow charge.
  • You will need your driver's license and proof of vehicle ownership (registration or title) to retrieve the car in person.
  • If the tow was wrongful or the fees seem excessive, you can dispute it through your city or county, but you usually have to pay to get the car out first and then pursue a refund.

Understand what documents you need to retrieve the car

Towing companies will not release a vehicle without proof that you own it or have the right to take possession. Bring your driver's license and your vehicle registration or title. If someone else is picking up the car on your behalf, bring a signed letter from you authorizing them, plus their ID and your registration.

If the car is registered to a business, a spouse, or a co-owner, the person whose name is on the registration should be the one to pick it up, or you need written permission from them. Some towing companies will accept a notarized letter; others will not. Call ahead and ask what form of authorization they accept before you send someone else to the lot.

If you have lost your registration card, bring your driver's license and ask the towing company whether they will accept a photo of your registration from your state's DMV portal or app. Many will; some require the physical card. Having this conversation before you arrive saves a wasted trip.

Know the difference between police impounds and private tows

A police impound happens when your car is towed by order of law enforcement — usually for parking in a no-tow zone, blocking a fire hydrant, or being involved in a crime. The police department or city may hold the car for evidence or as part of a case. In these situations, you may not be able to retrieve it when ready even after paying the tow and storage fees. Call the police department's impound unit and ask whether there is a hold on the vehicle and when you can pick it up.

A private tow happens when a property owner (apartment complex, parking lot, shopping center) hires a towing company to remove your car from their property. These are faster to resolve — once you pay the tow company, you can usually take the car the same day or within hours. Private tows are common for expired parking permits, parking in a reserved space, or overstaying in a lot.

If you do not know which type of tow it was, the police non-emergency line can tell you. They have records of all police-ordered tows in their jurisdiction. If it is not in their system, it was a private tow.

Check your city or county's online impound database

Many cities and counties maintain searchable databases of impounded vehicles. Search your city or county's website for "impound database," "vehicle impound search," or "towed vehicle lookup." You can usually search by license plate number or VIN. These databases show which lot the car is in, the date it was impounded, and sometimes the reason.

The database does not always show the cost, so you still need to call the towing company for the exact amount owed. But the database confirms the car is in the system and which lot has it, which saves time if you are unsure which company to contact.

If your city does not have an online database, call the police non-emergency line or the city's parking enforcement office and ask them to look up the tow in their records. They can provide the same information over the phone.

Dispute a tow if you believe it was wrongful or the fees are excessive

If you think your car was towed illegally — for example, you had a valid permit, the sign was obscured, or the lot was not properly marked — you can file a dispute with your city or county. However, most jurisdictions require you to pay the tow and storage fees first, then pursue a refund through a formal complaint process.

Contact your city or county's parking enforcement office or the office that oversees towing companies and ask for their dispute procedure. You will typically need to submit a written complaint with photos, documentation of your permit or lease, and copies of the tow receipt and storage charges. The review process can take 30 to 90 days.

If the towing company charged fees that exceed what state or local law allows, you can also file a complaint with your state's attorney general or consumer protection office. Keep all receipts and documentation from the tow company.

Recover your belongings from the car

When you retrieve your car, check that all your belongings are still inside. Towing companies are not responsible for items left in the vehicle, and storage lots are not find. If something is missing, report it to the towing company when ready and ask whether they have a lost-and-found or security footage. Document what was in the car with photos or a written list if possible.

If you left valuables in the car and they are gone, you can file a police report and a claim with your renters or homeowners insurance if you have coverage for theft from a vehicle. The towing company's liability is limited by state law and their contract, so recovery through insurance is usually your only option.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to get a towed car back?

Costs vary by location and towing company, but typically include a tow fee ($75 to $300), a daily storage fee ($15 to $50 per day), and sometimes an administrative fee ($25 to $100). A car towed on Monday and retrieved on Friday could cost $200 to $500 total. Call the towing company for an exact quote.

Can I get my car back if I do not have my registration card?

Most towing companies will accept a photo of your registration from your state's DMV app or portal, or a printed copy from the DMV website. Call the lot ahead of time and ask what they accept. If you cannot access your registration, contact your state's DMV and ask for an interim document or replacement card.

What if the towing company will not tell me where my car is?

Call the police non-emergency line and give them your license plate number and the date of the tow. They can tell you which company has it. If the company still refuses to provide information, file a complaint with your state's attorney general or your city's consumer protection office.

Do I have to pay the storage fees if I think the tow was illegal?

In most states, yes — you have to pay to retrieve the car first, then file a dispute to recover the fees. However, some jurisdictions allow you to file a dispute before paying. Contact your city or county's parking enforcement office to ask about their specific process.

How long can a towing company keep my car?

State and local laws vary. Some jurisdictions require towing companies to release a vehicle within 30 days if it is not part of a police hold or criminal case. Check your state's towing laws or call your city's parking enforcement office to learn the timeline in your area.