Using your VIN to locate a towed vehicle

Your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is a 17-character code unique to your car. When you call a tow lot or police impound, giving them your VIN is often faster and more reliable than describing your car by color or model, because the VIN pulls up your exact vehicle in their system. Most tow companies and municipal impounds can search their inventory by VIN and tell you within minutes whether they have your car, where it is being held, and what you owe.

The challenge is knowing which tow lot to call first. Your car could be at a private tow company, a police impound, a city or county facility, or a lot run by a parking enforcement agency. Starting with the right place saves hours of calling around.

Key Takeaways

  • Your VIN is printed on your registration, insurance card, and the dashboard near the windshield, and it is the fastest way to search a tow lot's inventory.
  • Call the police non-emergency line first — they know which tow company was dispatched and can give you the exact lot location and phone number.
  • If your car was towed from a parking lot or private property, the property owner or manager can tell you which company they contract with.
  • Have your VIN, driver's license number, and proof of ownership ready before you call, because tow lots will ask for all three to confirm the car is yours.
  • Tow lots typically hold vehicles for 30 days before selling them at auction, so calling within the first week gives you the most time to arrange payment and retrieval.

Where to find your VIN

Your VIN appears in several places on your vehicle and documents. The easiest place to find it is on your vehicle registration or insurance card — both print the full 17-character code. If you do not have those documents handy, look at the lower left corner of your windshield from outside the car; the VIN is etched or printed there. You can also find it on the driver's side door jamb, on the engine block, or on the frame under the hood, though these are harder to read.

If you have lost your registration and insurance card and cannot access the vehicle, call your insurance company or your state's Department of Motor Vehicles with your driver's license number. They can give you your VIN over the phone in minutes.

Calling the police to find the tow lot

The police non-emergency line is your fastest first step. When a car is towed from a public street, a police officer or parking enforcement officer usually calls the dispatch, and the tow company's name and lot location go into the police record. Call your city or county police non-emergency number (not 911), give them your VIN and the date your car went missing, and ask which tow company was dispatched and where the lot is located.

The police dispatcher will give you the tow company's name and phone number. Write both down. Then call the tow lot directly with your VIN, and they can confirm your car is there and tell you the towing fee, storage fees, and what documents you need to bring to retrieve it.

If the police tell you they have no record of a tow, your car may have been towed from private property — a parking lot, apartment complex, or driveway. Move to the next section.

Finding the tow company if your car was towed from private property

If your car was towed from a parking lot, apartment complex, shopping center, or private driveway, the property owner or manager hired the tow company directly. Call the property manager or owner and ask which tow company they use. If you were parked at an apartment complex, call the leasing office. If you were at a shopping center, ask the management office. If it was a private driveway, contact the property owner.

Once you have the tow company's name, call them with your VIN. Have your driver's license number and proof of ownership (registration or title) ready, because they will ask for all three before confirming your car is in their lot. Ask them for the total amount due, including towing and storage fees, and what hours they are open for vehicle retrieval.

If the property manager does not know which company towed your car, ask them to check their contract or call their security company — both usually have records of which tow company they dispatch. If they cannot help, you can search online for tow companies in your area and call each one with your VIN until you find your car.

What information tow lots need to confirm your vehicle

When you call a tow lot, have three pieces of information ready: your VIN, your driver's license number, and proof of ownership. Proof of ownership is usually your vehicle registration, title, or insurance card. The tow lot needs these to confirm that you are the owner and not someone trying to retrieve a vehicle that does not belong to them.

Some tow lots will search their lot by VIN alone over the phone and tell you whether your car is there. Others will ask for your driver's license number as well. A few will require you to come in person with your registration before they confirm anything. Calling ahead with your VIN saves you a trip if your car is not there.

Understanding tow lot hold times and fees

Most tow lots hold vehicles for 30 days before selling them at auction. This means you have roughly a month to locate your car, arrange payment, and pick it up. After 30 days, the lot can legally sell your vehicle to recover the towing and storage costs. Some lots hold vehicles longer if you contact them and ask for an extension, but do not count on it.

Towing fees vary widely depending on your location and the distance the car was towed. A typical tow might cost $150 to $300. Storage fees are usually $20 to $50 per day. If your car sits in the lot for two weeks, storage alone could add $280 to $700 to what you owe. Call the tow lot as soon as you locate your car and ask for the exact total due, including all fees.

Some tow lots accept payment over the phone by credit card or debit card. Others require you to pay in person before they release the vehicle. Ask when you call whether you can pay by phone, and whether they accept payment plans if the total is more than you can pay when ready.

What to bring when you pick up your car

When you go to the tow lot to retrieve your vehicle, bring your driver's license, proof of ownership (registration or title), and payment. The lot will ask you to sign a release form stating that you are taking possession of the vehicle and that you understand its condition. Read the form before you sign it, and note any damage to the car before you leave the lot.

If you do not have your registration or title with you, some lots will accept a copy of your insurance card or a bill of payment from your lender showing your name and the vehicle's VIN. Call ahead and ask what documents they will accept so you do not make a wasted trip.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I find my towed car online using my VIN?

Some cities and counties have online tow lot databases where you can search by VIN, but most do not. Your best option is to call the police non-emergency line with your VIN and the date your car went missing. They can tell you which tow company has it in seconds. If your car was towed from private property, you will need to call the property manager first to find out which tow company they use.

What if I do not have my VIN?

Call your insurance company or your state's Department of Motor Vehicles with your driver's license number, and they will give you your VIN over the phone. You can also look at the lower left corner of your windshield from outside the car, where the VIN is etched or printed. Once you have it, call the police non-emergency line or the tow company with the VIN.

How much will it cost to get my car out of the tow lot?

Costs vary by location and how long your car has been in the lot. A typical tow costs $150 to $300, and storage fees run $20 to $50 per day. Call the tow lot with your VIN and ask for the exact total due, including all towing and storage fees. Some lots offer payment plans if you cannot pay the full amount when ready.

What if the tow lot says my car is not there?

If the police non-emergency line has no record of a tow, your car may have been towed from private property by a different company, or it may have been stolen rather than towed. Call the property manager where your car was parked to ask which tow company they use. If you still cannot find it, file a police report for a missing vehicle.

How long can a tow lot hold my car?

Most tow lots hold vehicles for 30 days before selling them at auction. After 30 days, the lot can legally sell your car to recover towing and storage costs. Call the lot as soon as you locate your car and ask whether you can arrange an extension if you need more time to gather payment.