Start with the towing company that took your car
Your car was towed by a specific company, and that company has a record of where it went. The fastest way to find your car is to call the towing company directly — but you need to know which one towed it first.
If you saw the tow happen or have a photo of the tow truck, look for the company name and phone number on the side of the truck. If you don't have that information, call the police non-emergency line for the city or county where your car was parked. Tell them your vehicle's license plate number and the location where it was parked. The dispatcher will tell you which towing company removed it and give you their phone number.
When you call the towing company, have your license plate number and vehicle identification number (VIN) ready. They will confirm they have your car and tell you exactly where it is being held. Most towing companies keep cars at their own lot, but some contract with storage facilities, so ask for the specific address.
Key Takeaways
- Call the police non-emergency line with your license plate number to find out which towing company took your car.
- Once you know the company name, call them directly with your plate number and VIN to confirm your car's location.
- Towing companies typically hold cars at their own lot or at a contracted storage facility, and the location address matters for retrieval.
- Storage fees begin when ready after towing and increase daily, so contacting the company quickly reduces what you owe.
- You will need your driver's license, proof of vehicle ownership, and payment to pick up your car.
Check your city or county's official tow list
Many cities and counties maintain a public list of vehicles that have been towed. This list is usually updated daily and shows the vehicle description, the date and time of tow, and the towing company's name and phone number.
Search online for "[your city name] towed vehicles list" or "[your county name] towed vehicles database." Some cities post this on their police department website, others on the city clerk's office site, and some maintain a separate public database. If you cannot find it online, call your city or county police department's non-emergency line and ask where to find the tow list.
When you access the list, search by your license plate number or vehicle description. Write down the towing company name and phone number listed, then call that company to confirm your car is there and get the storage address.
What to do if you don't know why your car was towed
Your car may have been towed for parking violations, expired registration, an outstanding warrant, or because it was parked in a no-tow zone during restricted hours. Once you know which towing company has it, ask them why it was towed — they will have the reason on file.
If the tow was due to a parking violation or expired registration, you will need to pay the towing fee and storage fees to retrieve your car. If the tow was related to a legal hold or warrant, contact the police department or court that issued the hold before going to retrieve the vehicle, because the towing company may not release it to you until that hold is cleared.
Ask the towing company for an itemized receipt showing the tow fee, daily storage charges, and any other fees. Storage fees typically range from $20 to $50 per day depending on your location and the size of the vehicle, but this varies widely by company and jurisdiction.
Retrieve your car and understand the fees
When you go to pick up your car, bring your driver's license, proof of vehicle ownership (registration or title), and payment. Most towing companies accept cash, credit cards, and debit cards, but call ahead to confirm what they take.
The total cost includes the tow fee (usually $75 to $300), daily storage fees (starting the day after tow), and any administrative fees the company charges. Storage fees begin when ready and compound daily, so a car towed on Monday and retrieved on Friday can cost significantly more than one retrieved on Tuesday. Ask the towing company for the exact total before you arrive.
Some towing companies will release your car only to the registered owner. If you are not the owner, bring the owner's written permission and their ID, or ask the company what documentation they need. A few companies require the owner to be present in person.
What to do if your car is not where you expected
If the towing company tells you they do not have your car, or if the police department gives you a company name but that company says they never towed it, ask the police to check their records again. Occasionally a car is towed by one company and then transferred to a storage facility run by another company.
Request the police report number for the tow. This document will show the exact towing company, the storage location, the time of tow, and the reason. You can usually get a copy by visiting your local police station or requesting it online through the city or county website.
If your car was towed more than a few days ago and you cannot locate it, it is possible it was sold at auction. Some jurisdictions sell unclaimed vehicles after 30 to 60 days of storage. Call the towing company and ask if your vehicle has been auctioned off. If it has, ask for the auction company's contact information.
Dispute a tow if you believe it was illegal
If you believe your car was towed illegally — for example, you had a valid parking permit, or the no-parking signs were not clearly posted — you can file a complaint with your city or county. Contact your local police department's non-emergency line or visit your city clerk's office to learn how to file a formal dispute.
You will need to provide documentation: photos of the parking area, copies of any permits you had, the police report number, and the towing company's name. Some jurisdictions have a formal appeals process; others require you to file a small claims court case to recover towing and storage fees.
Even if you dispute the tow, you will typically need to pay the towing and storage fees to retrieve your car. You can then pursue a refund through the dispute process. Ask the towing company if they will hold the car while you file a complaint, or if you must pay to get it out.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can a towing company hold my car?
Most states allow towing companies to hold a vehicle for 30 to 90 days before selling it at auction, but this varies by state and local law. Call your towing company or police department to find out the important date in your area. Storage fees continue to accrue every day, so the longer you wait, the more you owe.
Can I get my personal items out of my car before paying the full tow and storage fee?
Most towing companies will let you retrieve personal items from your car without paying the full fee, but policies vary. Call the company and ask if you can come get your belongings. Some require you to pay a small access fee or have a staff member present while you remove items.
What if I cannot afford to pay the towing and storage fees?
Contact the towing company and ask if they offer payment plans. Some companies will let you pay in installments. You can also contact your local legal aid office or community action agency to ask if they know of any programs that help with towing fees, though these are rare.
Will my insurance cover towing and storage fees?
Most standard auto insurance policies do not cover towing fees or storage charges from an impound lot. Check your policy or call your insurance company to confirm. Some roadside information plans (like AAA) cover towing, but usually only for breakdowns, not for impounded vehicles.
Can I get my car back if I still owe money on it?
Yes, you can retrieve your car even if you have an outstanding loan on it. The lender's interest is in the vehicle itself, not in the towing fees. However, if your car was towed due to a repossession (the lender sent the tow truck), you will need to contact the lender to resolve the loan issue before the towing company will release it.