Who Tows Illegally Parked Cars: Essential Guide
Illegally parked cars are typically towed by authorized towing companies contracted by law enforcement, municipalities, or private property owners to enforce parking regulations and ensure public safety. This process usually involves a formal request and adherence to local laws.
Ever returned to where you parked your car, only to find it gone? It’s a startling and often frustrating experience. You might wonder, “Who has the authority to tow my vehicle, and why was it taken?” It’s a common question, and understanding the answers can save you a lot of hassle and money. This guide breaks down exactly who tows illegally parked cars and what you need to know.
We’ll walk you through the different entities involved, the common reasons for towing, and what to do if your car is towed. You’ll feel more informed and confident about this sometimes confusing aspect of driving and parking. Let’s clear up the mystery so you know your rights and responsibilities.
Understanding Why Cars Get Towed
Before we dive into who does the towing, it’s helpful to understand why a car might end up on the back of a tow truck. Parking rules are in place for good reasons, mainly to keep things organized and safe for everyone. When these rules are broken, towing becomes a necessary consequence.
Here are the most common reasons why a car might be towed:
- Blocking Driveways or Fire Hydrants: These are critical access points. A car blocking them can prevent essential services, especially emergencies, from reaching their destination quickly.
- Parking in No-Parking Zones: This includes areas marked with signs or painted curbs, often for traffic flow, safety, or to reserve space.
- Expired Registration or Parking Tickets: Vehicles that are unregistered or have multiple unpaid parking tickets are often considered abandoned or a nuisance and may be towed.
- Parking in a Disabled Space Without a Permit: These spaces are specifically for individuals with disabilities, and unauthorized use can incur significant penalties, including towing.
- Violating Private Property Rules: Parking in a spot reserved for customers, employees, or in a way that obstructs private access can lead to towing, even if it’s not a public street.
- Impoundments Related to Legal Issues: If a car is involved in a crime, or if the driver is arrested, the vehicle may be impounded by law enforcement.
Who Has the Authority to Tow Illegally Parked Cars?
The authority to tow illegally parked cars usually rests with government bodies or accredited private entities acting on behalf of those bodies or property owners. It’s not just any tow truck driver who can decide to hook up your car. There’s a process, and specific organizations are authorized to carry it out.
1. Law Enforcement Agencies
Police departments and sheriff’s offices are among the primary authorities that can order a vehicle to be towed. They enforce traffic laws on public streets. When an officer observes a parking violation that warrants towing, they will typically:
- Document the violation (e.g., take photos, note the infraction).
- Contact an authorized towing company from an approved list.
- Provide the towing company with the necessary information to retrieve the vehicle.
- Ensure the towing is done according to local ordinances and state laws.
This often happens in situations like:
- Cars blocking traffic or emergency access.
- Vehicles involved in accidents or suspected of being involved in crimes.
- Cars that are clearly abandoned or obstructing public spaces for extended periods.
- Vehicles with multiple outstanding warrants or parking tickets.
Learn more about traffic law enforcement from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which provides resources on traffic safety and regulations.
2. Municipal or City Parking Enforcement
Many cities have dedicated parking enforcement departments or utilize private companies under contract to manage parking. These entities are responsible for:
- Patrolling parking areas and issuing citations for violations.
- Identifying vehicles that have accumulated multiple tickets or are parked illegally in designated zones (e.g., residential permit parking, metered spots after time expires).
- Initiating towing requests for severely non-compliant vehicles, often in coordination with law enforcement if necessary.
Their goal is to manage parking availability, ensure fair use of public parking resources, and generate revenue through fines and towing fees. These actions are guided by local municipal codes and parking ordinances.
3. Private Property Owners and Management
If you park on private property, such as a shopping center, apartment complex, or office building lot, the owner or property manager usually has the right to have illegally parked vehicles towed. This is typically restricted to:
- Vehicles parked in “no parking” zones clearly marked on the property.
- Cars occupying reserved parking spots (e.g., for disabled individuals, specific tenants, or employees) without authorization.
- Vehicles parked in a manner that obstructs access within the property.
- Cars left in lots for extended periods of time without the owner’s permission, appearing abandoned.
Property owners usually have signage clearly stating their towing policy. When a violation occurs, they will contact a licensed towing company authorized to operate on their property. These towing operations are often referred to as “booting and towing” or “private property towing.”
It’s important to note that private property towing is governed by specific state laws. In some areas, property owners may need to follow certain procedures before authorizing a tow, such as obtaining consent from law enforcement or a property manager representative.
4. Authorized Towing Companies
Towing companies themselves do not typically decide to tow a car on their own initiative. They are contracted service providers. They are called upon by the authorized entities mentioned above (police, parking enforcement, property managers) to perform the towing service. These companies must be properly licensed and insured, and often have specific agreements with municipalities or property owners regarding the rates and procedures for towing and storage.
An authorized towing company will:
- Receive a legitimate request to tow a vehicle.
- Dispatch a tow truck to the location.
- Safely load the vehicle onto the tow truck.
- Transport the vehicle to an impound lot, often one designated by the towing authority.
- Maintain records of the tow, including photos, location, time, and the requesting authority.
These companies operate under strict regulations to prevent unauthorized towing and ensure fair and safe practices. You can often verify the legitimacy of a towing company by checking their licensing with your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or equivalent agency.
The Towing Process: What to Expect
If your car is towed for illegal parking, the process typically involves several steps, and understanding them can help you recover your vehicle as smoothly as possible. The exact procedure can vary depending on your location and the reason for the tow.
Step 1: Notification and Documentation
Ideally, some form of notification might occur, though this is not always the case, especially with immediate towing for safety reasons. Law enforcement or parking enforcement officers will document the violation and the fact that the vehicle has been towed. This documentation is crucial for the impound process and for any potential disputes.
Step 2: Towing and Transport
An authorized towing company will arrive, hook up your vehicle, and transport it to their designated impound lot. The tow itself is one of the costs you will likely incur. The location of the impound lot is important for you to know so you can retrieve your car.
Step 3: Impound Lot Procedures
Once at the impound lot, your vehicle will be logged in. This includes details about the car, the reason for towing, the fees associated with the tow and storage, and the agency that authorized the tow. The impound lot will have specific hours of operation and procedures for releasing vehicles.
Step 4: Retrieving Your Vehicle
To get your car back, you will typically need to:
- Contact the towing company or the authorizing agency: Find out where your car has been towed and what the total cost is.
- Gather Necessary Documents: You will usually need to prove ownership of the vehicle. This typically includes a valid driver’s license, proof of insurance, and vehicle registration. Sometimes, you may also need a release form from the law enforcement agency or parking authority that ordered the tow.
- Pay the Fees: Be prepared to pay the towing fees, storage fees, and any outstanding parking tickets or fines. Most impound lots accept cash, and some may accept credit cards or cashier’s checks. It’s best to call ahead and ask about accepted payment methods.
- Inspect Your Vehicle: Before driving away, take a moment to inspect your car for any damage that may have occurred during the towing process. Document any new damage immediately.
Step 5: Dispute Resolution (If Applicable)
If you believe your car was towed improperly or unfairly, you have the right to dispute the tow. This process usually involves contacting the agency that authorized the tow (e.g., the police department or parking authority) to file a complaint or request a hearing. The towing company’s discretion is limited by the directives of the authorizing entity.
Costs Associated with Towing
Towing fees can add up quickly, and they are a significant consequence of illegal parking. These costs typically include:
- Tow Fee: This is the charge for the service of hooking up and transporting your vehicle.
- Storage Fee: A daily fee charged for each day your vehicle is stored at the impound lot.
- Administrative Fee: Some municipalities or towing companies may add administrative charges.
- Outstanding Fines: If the tow was due to unpaid parking tickets or warrants, these must also be settled.
These fees are usually set by local ordinances or state regulations to ensure they are reasonable. However, they can still represent a considerable expense. For example, a typical tow might cost anywhere from $100 to $300, with additional daily storage fees of $20 to $50.
Here’s a general idea of how costs can accumulate:
| Fee Type | Typical Range (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Towing Service | $100 – $300 | Varies by distance and type of tow truck. |
| Daily Storage | $20 – $50 per day | Starts accumulating from the moment the vehicle is impounded. |
| Administrative/Hook-up Fee | $20 – $100 | Sometimes applied by the towing company or impound lot. |
| Outstanding Parking Tickets/Warrants | Variable | Must be cleared before vehicle release. |
Always check with the towing company or the issuing authority for the exact amount due and accepted payment methods. Some areas have laws that limit how much can be charged for towing and storage.
When the Police Tow Your Car: A Deeper Look
When law enforcement orders a tow, it’s usually due to a more serious infraction or a safety concern. This can include:
- Evidence of a Crime: If a car is suspected of being involved in a crime, it may be towed as evidence or for forensic examination.
- Impaired Driving (DUI/DWI): If a driver is arrested for driving under the influence, their vehicle is often towed and impounded.
- Expired Registration/No Insurance: Driving a vehicle with severely expired registration or lacking mandatory insurance can lead to immediate impoundment by police. You can check your state’s specific laws regarding vehicle impoundment for these offenses through your state’s DMV website.
- Abandoned Vehicles: Police are often responsible for identifying and initiating the towing of vehicles that have been left unattended on public property for a prolonged period, indicating they may be abandoned.
In these cases, the police department will usually have a list of approved towers they work with. The process might involve a police report number that you’ll need when retrieving your vehicle. The goal is to ensure public safety and uphold traffic laws. For information on traffic safety laws and regulations, the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) is a valuable resource.
Private Property Towing: Rights and Responsibilities
Tow zones on private property are generally clearly marked with signs. These signs typically state that the area is private property and unauthorized vehicles will be towed at the owner’s expense. Common locations include:
- Shopping mall parking lots
- Office building parking areas
- Apartment complex visitor parking
- Restaurants and retail establishments
- Private streets or roads
If you park in a spot designated for specific users (e.g., “Customer Parking Only,” “Reserved for Building A Tenants,” “No Parking Anytime”) without authorization, you risk being towed. Property owners have a vested interest in ensuring their parking spaces are used by the intended individuals. They rely on towing services to enforce these rules.
Key considerations for private property towing:
- Clear Signage: For private towing to be valid, the property must have clear, visible signage indicating the towing policy.
- Authorization: A property manager, owner, or authorized representative must typically authorize the tow.
- Towing Company Operations: The towing company must be licensed and operate according to state and local regulations regarding private property tows.
Some states have specific regulations on how long a vehicle must be parked illegally before it can be towed from private property, or they may place limits on the fees charged. It’s important to be aware of your local ordinances. Information on property rights and enforcement can often be found through your local city or county government website.
What to Do If Your Car Is Towed
Discovering your car has been towed can be a shock, but acting quickly and methodically will help you get it back. Here’s a step-by-step approach:
- Don’t Panic: Take a deep breath. Most of the time, your car is simply being held in an impound lot, not permanently gone.
- Identify the Reason for Towing: Try to recall where you parked and if there were any signs or restrictions you might have overlooked. Was it a public street or private property?
- Contact the Authorities:
- If towed from a public street: Call your local police department non-emergency line or parking authority. They can tell you where your car was towed and who towed it.
- If towed from private property: Look for signs in the parking lot that might indicate the towing company. If there are no signs, you may need to contact the property management or landlord.
- Contact the Towing Company: Once you know which company has your car, call them directly. Ask for the exact location of the impound lot, their hours of operation, the total amount owed, and what forms of payment they accept.
- Gather Your Documents: Before heading to the impound lot, collect all necessary paperwork. This typically includes:
- A valid government-issued photo ID (like a driver’s license).
- Proof of vehicle ownership (e.g., the vehicle title or registration).
- Proof of current auto insurance.
In some cases, you might need a release form from the police or parking authority.
- Be Prepared to Pay: Bring the required payment. Be aware that many impound lots only accept cash or certified checks.
- Inspect Your Vehicle: Before driving off the impound lot, carefully examine your car for any damage that may have occurred during the towing or storage process. If you find any, document it with photos and note it on any paperwork before you leave.
- Consider Your Options: If you believe the tow was unlawful, gather all relevant documentation and contact the agency that authorized the tow to understand their dispute process.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Can anyone tow my car if it’s parked illegally?
No, only authorized entities like law enforcement, municipal parking enforcement, or private property owners (with proper signage and authorization) can legally order a vehicle to be towed. Towing companies must be contracted by these authorized parties.
Q2: How can I find out if my car has been towed?
If towed from a public street, contact your local police department’s non-emergency line or parking authority. If towed from private property, check for signage listing the towing company, or contact the property management. Some cities also have a central dispatch for towed vehicles.
Q3: What documents do I need to get my car back from the impound lot?
Typically, you’ll need a valid government-issued photo ID, proof of vehicle ownership (registration or title), and proof of current insurance.
