How Do I Find Out If My Car Was Towed?

You don't have to be a persistent violator to have your car towed. Parking under a “No Parking” sign, running a wheel over a curb, or parking in a space designated for people with disabilities are all situations that make a vehicle vulnerable to towing. However, not all parking requirements are well-marked, causing well-intended drivers to have their vehicles towed too. Thus, any motorist may find themselves in this predicament.

Imagine that you return to the parking lot and do not find your car where you left it. Many panic and think it was stolen, but it is also probable it just has been towed. Getting your car back isn’t that difficult—you just have to know the procedure. 

Why Do Cars Get Towed?

If a driver violates traffic rules or fails to pay a fine on time, they will be subject to one of the punishment strategies. First, the car may have its wheel blocked, and second, it may be towed away and sent to an impound lot. The authorities widely employ both methods.

More often, cars are not blocked but towed. This method is used when the driver has parked their vehicle in the wrong place or has significant fine arrears. Once the car is evacuated to the impound lot, don’t waste time, as your vehicle won’t stay in there long. Although the timeline varies based on jurisdiction and impound lot management, if the driver does not pick up their car within 72 hours, they might not see it again. The procedure of sending the vehicle to auction typically commences 10 days after it was towed. 

During this period, you can still stop the selling process. After that, there is nothing you can do. Once the car is sold at the auction, the money received for your vehicle is used to pay off the fines you owe. The remaining amount is returned to the owner of the vehicle. Therefore, drivers should pick up their vehicle and resolve their debts as soon as possible.

What Is a Wheel Clamp?

Once a driver has accumulated a predetermined dollar amount of unpaid fines, the car gets a wheel clamp, a device that restricts the ability to drive, attached to it. This system was developed a long time ago, but various companies began to use it regularly about 20 years ago. You are very mistaken if you think you can remove the blocked wheel, replace it with a spare one, and drive. Not only that, but you need to call the service and pay the fine. 

After the payment is credited to the account, the offender receives a message with the numbers to unlock the clamp. The blocking device must be returned to one of the specific points within two days. The clamps are placed on offenders' cars not by the city service but by a specially hired company that leverages cameras and a database to locate debtors. 

The New York City Police Department is piloting a program that is the next evolution of the wheel clamp. It entails a device known as “Barnacle” that sticks to the windshield. To remove Barnacle, the driver must scan the accompanying QR code to pay the fine, which in turn disengages Barnacle from the vehicle. Once Barnacle is removed, the driver can return it to the nearby collection facility. If a driver attempts to remove Barnacle manually or to drive off with it still attached, motion sensors are equipped to sound an alarm.

How to Locate a Towed Vehicle

When locating a towed vehicle, there are a few immediate actions to take. If your vehicle is not where you left it, the tow truck has probably taken it. This often occurs when you leave your car in a place with an “unauthorized vehicle towing” sign. In this circumstance, security calls the towing service, and the car is quickly taken away. Usually, the tow truck service leaves a plate with its location. But if there is no such plate, you should contact security. 

If your car was towed from a parking lot, red and white signs should be posted at the entrance/exit with the name and phone number of the wrecker company that tows from that lot. Call that number for more information about your vehicle. You might also want to contact your local police department, as many tow companies alert police when towing a vehicle. Provide the police dispatcher with your car’s license plate number so they can check the car’s status and inform you about the next steps you need to take.

You can also go online and check your city’s towed vehicle locator website if they have one. You must provide your license plate or vehicle registration number (VIN).

What Do You Need to Get Your Car Back? 

When you arrive at the impound lot, you have to show your driver's license, proof of ownership, insurance, and registration to get it back. You might have to fill out some forms, too. 

Cars are evacuated for fines starting from $110. If it’s at the lot, the offender must pay all their fines as soon as possible, usually within three days. You are also required to pay for the tow truck, which adds a decent chunk to the overall sum. The sooner you settle the payment, the sooner you get your car back and hopefully avoid the vehicle being sent to auction. Moreover, the longer the vehicle is stored at the lot, the higher the charges since you are usually charged a daily storage fee in addition to an administrative fee, transfer charge, and other expenses. 

Generally, money orders, credit cards, and cashier checks should be accepted by the impound lot. However, some may require cash. The sooner payment method requirements are understood, the sooner you can resolve payment. 

How to Track Your Vehicle

Fortunately, there are preemptive steps you can take to ease vehicle tracking. One example is mounting a GPS tracking device to your vehicle similar to travelers using air tags for checked luggage when flying. 

Although these GPS devices are primarily used in case of theft, tracking devices are also useful tools when a vehicle is towed. Available in stores and online, these trackers generally cost $20 to $100 to purchase and require a subscription. These devices have a range of capabilities beyond location tracking; thus, drivers should take caution to acquire a product that properly satisfies their tracking needs in case of towing. For instance, some devices only provide tracking services when the ignition is on. This limitation would make it ineffective to locate a towed vehicle. 

An example of a GPS tracking device is LandAirSea 54 GPS Tracker which is priced at around $20, works when the vehicle is turned off, and offers subscription plans starting at $9.95 monthly.

While the initial cost may seem minimal, warranty, activation, and subscription fees can add up depending on the device and plan chosen. Not all trackers are of the same quality and capability, so be sure to do your research. To find the right tracker for your vehicle, prioritize a user-friendly GPS tracking device that securely attaches to the car, is location-tracking oriented, and does not require frequent charging.

Summary 

If someone has towed your car, remember to act fast so your vehicle isn’t sold at an auction. The most effective way to prevent your car being towed is to avoid illegal parking in the first place. For peace of mind, consider acquiring a tracking device so you can more easily find your vehicle if it is towed.

Matt Yantakosol is a lifelong automotive enthusiast and former consultant focused on the consumer aspect of the industry. He has traveled to New York, Detroit, Chicago, L.A., Paris, Geneva, Frankfurt, and Tokyo Auto Shows to track and observe the newest industry innovations. In addition to JDPower.com, Matt's writing has appeared on Pcarmarket.com.

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