Having your vehicle impounded can be inconvenient and frustrating. But knowing your rights and the impound process can help you get your car or truck back as quickly as possible. This guide will provide an overview of impound services and advice for reclaiming your impounded vehicle.
Why Do Vehicles Get Impounded?
There are a few main reasons a vehicle may be towed to an impound lot:
- Illegally parked, such as in a no parking zone or blocking a fire hydrant
- Involved in an accident and deemed unable to be driven
- Abandoned on public property
- Part of a criminal investigation or arrest
- Unregistered or uninsured
Police and parking enforcement have the authority to request a tow truck remove and impound a vehicle violating parking laws or vehicle regulations. Private property owners can also have unauthorized or abandoned vehicles on their property towed away at the owner’s expense.
Locating Your Impounded Vehicle
The first step is finding out where your car or truck was towed. If it was impounded by police, they should provide you with impound lot information. You can also call the local police non-emergency number and provide details like the license plate number to get impound info.
For vehicles towed from private property, you’ll need to contact the property owner or manager. They should have documentation stating which tow company removed the vehicle and its destination.
Many cities have searchable online impound vehicle databases you can check using the license plate or VIN number. This can help track down the impound lot location.
Getting Your Vehicle Out of Impound
Once you know where your car is impounded, you’ll need to go there in person and provide ownership documentation like the title or registration to claim it. You may also need to show a driver’s license and proof of insurance.
Be prepared to pay all accrued impound fees and towing charges before the lot will release your vehicle. Fees are usually calculated by the day, so the sooner you reclaim your vehicle, the less it will cost you. Make sure to get a receipt for your records.
Depending on why your vehicle was impounded, you may also need to resolve any outstanding issues like unpaid tickets or lack of proper registration before the impound lot can release it.
Avoiding Common Impound Problems
Getting your car or truck out of impound can be a hassle. Here are some tips to avoid having your vehicle towed in the first place:
- Obey all parking laws and signs to avoid illegal parking tow aways. Set a timer if parked at a meter.
- If storing a vehicle long-term, keep it on private property off the street.
- Sell or properly scrap unwanted vehicles rather than abandoning them.
- Register your vehicle properly in your state and keep insurance coverage active.
- Resolve any unpaid tickets or outstanding violations to avoid enforcement towing.
- Keep vehicles in working order and driveable condition.
- Ask property owners before parking on their lot to prevent unauthorized towing.
Knowing the impound process, your rights, and taking preventative measures will help get your car back on the road and avoid towing headaches. With the proper documentation and fees, reclaiming your impounded vehicle can be straightforward.