Car towed in Washington

1Find who towed your car

No record of a tow anywhere? Report the car to police as possibly stolen.

2What they can charge

In DC a car parked on private property can be towed without the owner's consent only after a police officer or parking enforcement official tickets it, or police order the tow (16 DCMR 406.7). Those tows are capped at $100 for a standard car (8,000 lb or less) and $20 a day for storage (D.C. Code 50-2457(a)(3)). A tow you agreed to in writing is billed at the company's licensed rates instead.

See the official rates (opens in a new tab).

Estimate your bill

3What to bring

• The owner, the lienholder or someone authorized by either can reclaim the car with proof of who they are and of entitlement to the car. The lot must release the car promptly once the lawful charges are paid.
• Tow and storage lots must take cash, insurance draft, certified check, bank check, money order and at least two widely used credit cards for public-tow charges. Call ahead to ask which types the lot takes.

D.C. Code 50-2457(a); 16 DCMR 408.7; 16 DCMR 408.8

4Getting it back

• The rules say the lot must release the car 'promptly' when you show ID and pay. They set no number of hours.
• Before you pay and take the car, the tow company may not refuse to let you inspect it. You are also entitled to an itemized receipt for every lawful charge.
• Inspect the car before you drive away, and photograph any damage.

Before you sign anything: The towing company is fully responsible for damage to the car and for the property in it from hookup until release to you. Take photos before you leave the lot and note damage on the paperwork.

16 DCMR 408.7; 16 DCMR 410.11, 410.13; 16 DCMR 406.8; 411.4(h)

5Was the tow legal?

Common problems with private tows in District of Columbia include refusing a payment type the law requires.

Check my towSale deadlinesEvidence checklistDispute letter

6How to dispute a tow

1. Collect evidence. Photograph the lot entrances and any signs, keep every receipt, and write down times and names.
2. Ask for an itemized invoice. For District-ordered tows, standard cars (8,000 lb or less) can be charged at most $100 for the hookup and tow within DC and $20 per 24-hour period of storage. Heavier vehicles are $275.
3. File a complaint.
   • DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP)
     Website (opens in a new tab)
   • DC 311
     Website (opens in a new tab)
4. Go to court if needed. If the ticket that justified the tow is dismissed, you can get the booting, towing and storage fees back. If you miss the reclaim deadline you can still recover the car's fair market value if you asked for a hearing within 60 days of the ticket and win.
5. Consider small claims or a chargeback. DC Superior Court's Small Claims and Conciliation Branch handles money-only claims up to $10,000, not counting interest, fees and costs. Use it to recover wrongful tow or damage costs. If you paid by credit card and the charge was improper, you can dispute it with your card issuer under the federal Fair Credit Billing Act. Send the written dispute within 60 days of the statement showing the charge.

7Deadlines to watch

District of Columbia deadlines, counted from the law

• District mails notice to owner and lienholders within: 5 days after the tow, if car impounded by the District. D.C. Code 50-2455(c)-(d) (opens in a new tab)
• Reclaim deadline; car can be sold after: 28 days after the tow company's notice, if car impounded by the District. D.C. Code 50-2456(a); 50-2458(a) (opens in a new tab)

See the dates for your tow

Common questions

Not verified yet for Washington

We only publish details we could confirm from an official source. These are still missing, so ask the agencies above:

• Addresses and hours of the tow lots that hold police tows
• An official online lookup for towed cars
• City-specific documents needed to pick up a car
• Local rules for someone else picking up your car
• Local auction schedules for unclaimed cars