No one plans on getting their car towed. But in busy city environments, even experienced drivers can misread a sign, miss a restriction, or return to find an empty spot where their car was parked. It’s stressful, inconvenient, and often expensive — but knowing exactly what to do next can help you recover your vehicle quickly and avoid additional fees.

First, confirm that your car was actually towed. In crowded city areas, you might worry that it was stolen or simply not remember the exact block where you parked. Look around for any tow-away signs you might have missed, or talk to nearby businesses or parking enforcement officers if available. Many cities require towing companies to report removed vehicles promptly to local law enforcement databases. In places like New York City, you can check the NYC Towed Vehicle Locator to confirm if your car has been towed and where it’s being held.

Next, gather the details you’ll need to retrieve your vehicle. Typically, you’ll need your driver’s license, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance. If you’re not the vehicle owner, make sure you have a notarized letter or proper authorization to claim the car. It’s also smart to take note of your vehicle’s license plate number and vehicle identification number (VIN) to speed up the process at the tow yard.

Then, contact the impound lot directly. Many cities list contact details for local tow yards on their transportation or police department websites. For example, Los Angeles’ Official Police Garages website allows you to search for your vehicle by license plate number and provides contact information for each facility. Calling ahead is essential — they can confirm your car’s location, total fees due, and payment methods accepted (some lots are cash-only).

Be prepared for a range of fees. Towing charges typically include a flat towing fee plus daily storage charges. Cities also often add administrative fees, especially if your car was towed from a public street or due to violations like blocking a fire hydrant or parking in a no-parking zone. The longer your car remains in impound, the higher the storage fees, so it’s in your best interest to act quickly.

When you arrive at the tow yard, make sure to request an itemized receipt for your records. If you believe your vehicle was wrongfully towed, this documentation will be important if you choose to contest the charges. Some cities allow you to dispute towing fees through their administrative process. 

If you feel you were unfairly towed, you may have options beyond disputing fees. In certain situations — like unclear signage or administrative errors — you can appeal the underlying ticket that led to the tow. Cities often allow appeals within a specific window of time, usually 30 days from the incident. Make sure to check local rules and file promptly.

Finally, take steps to avoid future tows. Review parking rules closely, and consider using tools like ParkMobile to manage your parking sessions and receive alerts before your time expires. Some cities also offer text or email notifications for street cleaning schedules and temporary parking changes, which can help you stay ahead of surprise restrictions.

While getting towed is never pleasant, staying calm and knowing the steps to take can make the process far less painful. Quick action will minimize costs, recover your vehicle faster, and help you get back on the road with minimal disruption.