What to do if Your Car is Towed

What you need to know

If your vehicle is being towed or has already been towed, follow these guidelines and know your rights and what is required of you. Also check out our Towing Companies for more information on what is required for them.

In the process of being towed

• If your vehicle is in the process of being towed, you have the right to recover your vehicle on site by paying the tow truck driver no more than half the standard towing fee

Car missing

• If your car is missing, look for a towing sign and call the number on the sign to see if your car was towed from private property
  • The tow company must return your call within one hour, no matter the time of day

Can't find a towing sign

• If you can’t find a towing sign, contact the local law enforcement non-emergency line. They can help determine whether your vehicle has been towed.

Get all the information

• Ask the tow company for information on every document and the exact charges required to retrieve your vehicle

Have proper documentation

• Tow companies must accept an original or a copy of any of the following documents as evidence of a person's interest in a vehicle or vessel:
• An electronic title
• A paper title
• A contract between a lender and the owner of the vehicle or vessel
• A contract between a lessor and the lessee of the vehicle or vessel
• Credentials establishing the person as an employee or contract agent of an insurance company along with documentation identifying the vehicle by the vehicle identification number (VIN) or vessel by the hull identification number.
• Written agreement evidencing that the person is an agent of the vehicle or vessel owner or lienholder. NOTE: This agreement must be notarized if such agreement is presented for the purpose of releasing the vehicle or vessel.

Retrieve your vehicle as soon as possible to avoid additional charges

• The storage yard must be within a 10-mile radius from where your vehicle was removed
• The company must allow you to retrieve the vehicle within one hour of your request

Retrieve personal property

• You can retrieve your personal property from your vehicle, even if you haven’t paid

Double check prices

• Check the prices provided with prices posted at the pay location. Companies can only charge specific amounts approved by County government.
• The towing service must provide you with a written bill prior to payment that details the charges to date and any potential storage charges

Have the funds to pay

• Tow companies must accept payment for accrued charges in any form from at least two of the following lists:
• Cash, cashier's check, money order, or traveler's check
• Bank, debit, or credit card
• Mobile payment service, digital wallet, or other electronic payment system

• If you believe your vehicle or vessel was wrongfully towed and/or you have been overcharged for services rendered, you do not have to pay your bill to get your vehicle or vessel back right away. Instead, you can post a bond in the circuit court, payment to [name of towing service], in the amount of the final bill for services rendered, and the court will decide later who is right.

Inspect your vehicle before accepting its return

• The company cannot require a release or waiver of liability in order to return your vehicle

Keep documentation

• Keep the written receipt for your records 

Complaints

Complaints can be filed electronically using the link below. For best results, provide evidence and specific details about what occurred, how much was paid to the company, and any other evidence to support your claim.

Report a Complaint

Additional useful information

If a company has towed your vehicle without your permission and is holding it for moving/storage fees, you may take additional action in court. You can find information about how to have a vehicle released when a lien is in place on the Hillsborough County Clerk of Court’s website.

Not the registered vehicle owner?

• If your vehicle is in someone else's name, such as a parent, getting your name added to the vehicle registration and title will make it easier to recover the vehicle
• If the vehicle is not registered in your name, you will need to provide an original, notarized affidavit signed by the registered vehicle owner that explains you are an authorized representative acting on their behalf in all matters concerning the vehicle
• Make sure to include a description of the vehicle in the affidavit (i.e. make, model, year, color and VIN)
• Keep the original affidavit and a copy of the vehicle registration to help you retrieve your vehicle

Contact

For questions or if you need further information email regcomp@hcfl.gov or call (813) 274-6600.