Everything You Need to Know About California Towing Laws

Avoid predatory tows and learn how to get your vehicle back promptly with this guide to California towing laws.

Written by Jaya Anandjit Updated on May 30, 2024

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California

towing laws authorize police and property owners to have vehicles towed if they are illegally parked or abandoned. Getting your car back after it’s been towed often involves paying steep towing and storage fees, so it’s important to know your rights.

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A vehicle may be towed by California police if it’s illegally parked, obstructing traffic, or posing a public safety hazard.

Private property owners must warn drivers before towing their vehicles.

To get your vehicle after it’s been towed, you’ll need to provide necessary documentation and pay any applicable fees.

California towing laws can be complicated depending on the situation at hand, but knowing your rights can help you avoid predatory practices.

When can police tow a vehicle in California? California Vehicle Code Section 22651 deals with situations when local police are authorized to tow a vehicle.

As per Section 22651 of the CVC, here are the main cases when California police may tow your vehicle:

If the vehicle is left unattended in a tunnel or on a bridge, viaduct, or causeway

If the vehicle is left unattended on a highway such that it poses an obstruction or hazard to traffic

If the vehicle has been reported as stolen If the vehicle is illegally parked and blocking a private driveway or fire hydrant If the vehicle has been left for four or more hours on the right-of-way of a freeway If the driver of the vehicle is incapacitated by illness or injury and cannot move the vehicle

If a vehicle found parked on a highway or public land has five or more unpaid parking tickets or five or more notices of failure to pay or appear for other traffic infractions

If the vehicle is parked in violation of street cleaning notices If the driver is arrested while operating the vehicle If the vehicle has no registration or license plates or the driver has no license

This isn’t an exhaustive list, so be sure to read the full text of the law if you want more information. But the short version is this: if your vehicle is illegally parked, obstructing traffic, or posing a hazard to others, the police can tow it.

Keep in mind : If police tow your vehicle, it will be taken to an impound lot. How to get your car out of an impound lot in California

If your vehicle is towed to an impound lot, it’s important to get it out within 30 calendar days. After that, it goes to auction and you won’t be able to recover it at all.

If you are the legal owner of the vehicle , you should be able to get it back during normal business hours. Be sure to bring:

Your driver’s license Proof of current registration Proof of insurance Cash or a credit card for payment of fees

If you’re not the legal owner of the vehicle, or if you can’t get to the lot yourself, someone other than the registered owner can claim the vehicle with the same documents and written authorization from the owner.

In terms of fees , the exact amount you’ll have to pay varies depending on the circumstances, but be prepared for a charge in the hundreds or even thousands. That includes:

Towing charges Daily storage charges Administrative fees Transfer charge fees After-hours gate fees, lien charges, and auction fees (when applicable) MORE : My car got towed. Now what?

Police can’t afford to hold your car indefinitely, so act fast. Call the impound lot as soon as possible after the vehicle is towed and ask for instructions.

When can private property owners tow a vehicle in California? California private property towing laws, contained in Section 22658

of the Vehicle Code, set out specific rules for property owners that limit the circumstances under which they can call a tow truck to remove a vehicle.

One of the most important requirements is that they notify the vehicle owner before towing their vehicle . That can take a few different forms, such as:

“NO PARKING” signs : The signs must be in plain view, at least 17 inches by 22 inches, and posted in plain view at all entrances. The signs must also include the name and number of the towing company that the property owner has an agreement with, along with the number for the local traffic law enforcement agency.

Notice of parking violation : If the vehicle has been issued a violation notice, the property owner can tow the vehicle after 96 hours.

Inoperable vehicles : If the vehicle is missing an engine, a transmission, wheels, tires, a windshield, or anything that would make it impossible (or illegal) to operate on a public road, the property owner can tow the vehicle if they first notify local law enforcement and wait 24 hours.

If your vehicle is towed by a property owner who fails to comply with any of these requirements, they’re legally responsible for double the towing and storage fees for the vehicle.

Here are a few other regulations associated with private property owners towing vehicles from their property:

The property owner must have the vehicle towed to a storage facility within a 10-mile radius of the car’s original location.

The storage facility must be open during normal business hours (i.e. Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm) and able to release the vehicle outside of those hours.

After towing a vehicle, property owners are legally required to notify law enforcement within one hour.

If the legal owner of the vehicle wants to know why their car was towed, the property owner must state the grounds for removal.