Finding your car missing from where you parked it can be a stressful experience. One of the first questions that will likely pop into your head, after figuring out where it is, is: “Okay, but How Much Is It To Tow A Car?”. The cost of towing your vehicle isn’t fixed; it varies based on several factors, and understanding these can help you prepare for the expense and potentially avoid it in the future.
Understanding Towing Fees
When it comes to the financial aspect of car towing, you’re typically looking at a combination of charges. The main components are the towing fee itself and daily storage fees, which can quickly add up.
Standard Towing Costs
The base towing fee is what you’ll pay for the actual service of hooking up your car and transporting it to an impound lot or another location. Nationally, the average cost for a standard tow can range significantly, but you might expect to see figures starting around $100 and going upwards of $300 or more depending on location and the towing company. For instance, in Chicago, as an example of a major city with structured fees, the base towing fee can be around $150 for standard vehicles and $250 for larger vehicles over 8,000 lbs.
It’s important to note that these are just base towing fees. The type of vehicle, the distance it needs to be towed, and the complexity of the tow (e.g., if your car is in a ditch or requires special equipment like a flatbed tow truck) can all influence the final towing cost.
Storage Fees
Once your car is at the impound lot, storage fees start accruing daily. Like towing fees, these vary by location. You can expect to pay a daily storage fee for each day your car is held at the pound. Using Chicago again as an example, storage fees are approximately $25 per day for standard vehicles and $50 per day for larger vehicles, up to a maximum storage fee of $1,000.
These daily charges can quickly escalate the total cost of retrieving your vehicle, so prompt action is crucial to minimize expenses.
Additional Charges
Beyond towing and storage, be aware of potential additional charges. These could include:
- Administrative Fees: Some impound lots may charge administrative or processing fees.
- Release Fees: There might be a specific fee to release your vehicle once you’ve paid all outstanding charges.
- After-Hours Fees: If you retrieve your car outside of regular business hours (though many impound lots operate 24/7), you might encounter additional fees.
- Environmental Fees: In some areas, environmental or disposal fees may be applied.
It’s essential to inquire about all possible fees when you contact the impound lot to understand the full financial picture.
Why Was Your Car Towed? Reasons and Associated Costs
Understanding why your car was towed is just as important as knowing how much it is to tow a car. Common reasons for towing include:
- Parking Violations: Parking illegally, such as in no-parking zones, fire lanes, or expired meters, is a primary reason for towing. Posted signs are usually a clear indicator of parking restrictions.
- Traffic Obstruction: Vehicles involved in accidents that are blocking traffic flow are often towed to clear roadways quickly and safely.
- Abandoned Vehicles: Vehicles left unattended for extended periods on public property can be classified as abandoned and are subject to towing.
- Snow Route Violations: In areas with snow removal operations, parking on designated snow routes during certain times may result in towing to allow for plowing.
- Vehicle Relocation: In some instances, vehicles may be relocated to facilitate street cleaning, construction, or special events. This can sometimes occur with little notice.
- Legal Reasons: Towing can also result from more serious legal infractions, such as driving under the influence (DUI), or if the vehicle is connected to illegal activities.
The reason for the tow itself doesn’t typically change the base towing and storage fees, but it will heavily influence the fines and other penalties you may incur in addition to these costs. For example, a parking violation will come with a parking ticket fine, while a DUI-related impound will involve significantly more substantial legal and financial repercussions.
Getting Your Car Back: Redemption and Additional Expenses
Retrieving your car from the impound lot involves a process that requires you to prove ownership, pay all applicable fees, and ensure your vehicle is legally compliant.
Redemption Process
To get your car released, you will generally need to:
- Prove Ownership: Provide a valid vehicle title, current registration, or a recent bill of sale. If you are leasing, your lease agreement may be required.
- Present Identification: Show a valid photo ID.
- Pay All Charges: This includes towing fees, storage fees, and any outstanding fines or penalties associated with the reason for the tow. Payment methods accepted are usually cash or credit/debit cards. Checks or money orders may not be accepted.
- Vehicle Compliance: Ensure your vehicle is currently registered and meets legal requirements, including valid license plates and any required local stickers or permits. The driver removing the vehicle must also have a valid driver’s license.
In some specific cases, such as vehicles impounded due to serious violations (narcotics, DUI, etc.), you may need to visit a designated Vehicle Impoundment Office to pay fines before the car can be released from the pound itself.
Fines and Tickets
Remember that the towing and storage fees are just part of the total cost. You will also be responsible for any underlying parking tickets or other fines that led to the vehicle being towed in the first place. These fines are separate from the towing and storage charges and must be paid according to the instructions on the violation notice, often through the local Department of Finance or similar agency.
Vehicle Impoundment Office and Special Cases
For certain serious offenses that lead to impoundment, you may be required to handle payment and release procedures at a specific Vehicle Impoundment Office rather than directly at the auto pound. This often applies to vehicles impounded for reasons such as: narcotics violations, DUI, illegal dumping, firearms offenses, and other significant legal infractions. These situations often involve additional administrative steps and potentially higher fines.
Contesting a Tow
If you believe your car was improperly towed, you have the right to contest the validity of the tow and associated fees.
Post-Tow Hearing
Most jurisdictions provide a process for a post-tow hearing where you can present your case and argue why you believe the tow was unwarranted. This is typically a separate procedure from simply retrieving your vehicle and paying the fees.
How to Request a Hearing
To contest a tow, you generally need to:
- Request a Hearing: You can usually request a hearing when you go to redeem your vehicle. If you have already retrieved your car, you typically have a limited time (e.g., 15 days) from the release date to request a hearing.
- Attend the Hearing: You must personally attend the scheduled hearing to present your case. Failure to appear will likely result in forfeiting your right to contest.
- Gather Evidence: Prepare any evidence that supports your claim, such as photos of parking signs, witness statements, or any documentation that demonstrates why you believe the tow was in error.
Keep in mind that contesting a tow is a separate process from paying to retrieve your vehicle. You will likely still need to pay the towing and storage fees upfront to get your car back, and if your contest is successful, you may be eligible for a refund.
Conclusion
So, how much is it to tow a car? As we’ve seen, the answer isn’t a single number. It’s a combination of towing fees, daily storage charges, and potentially other administrative costs, plus any underlying fines or penalties. Being aware of parking regulations, understanding the reasons cars get towed, and acting promptly if your vehicle is impounded are key to managing and minimizing these costs. Always check with the local authorities or the specific impound lot for the most accurate and up-to-date fee information in your area.
