Car towed in Passaic

1Find who towed your car

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

2What they can charge

We have not verified local maximum rates for Passaic yet. Ask the tow company for its rate sheet. It must give you one on request.

Estimate your bill

3What to bring

• Rules cover releasing the car to its owner or another person authorized to take it, and the basic tow includes issuing the release papers. The rules do not list the documents required.
• Besides cash, the company must accept an insurance company check, a debit card, a credit card or a charge card if it ordinarily accepts that card at its place of business. It may ask for additional identification. Call ahead to ask which types the lot takes.

N.J.A.C. 13:45A-31.2 (definition of basic tow); N.J.S.A. 56:13-4, 56:13-16(g)

4Getting it back

• The storage lot must have a business office open to the public from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at least five days a week, and the company must provide or arrange for after-hours release.
• If the company does not release your car when you ask during normal business hours, it may not charge an after-hours release fee. New Jersey sets no number of hours for release.
• Inspect the car before you drive away, and photograph any damage.

N.J.S.A. 56:13-15; N.J.A.C. 13:45A-31.7(a), (b); N.J.A.C. 13:45A-31.7(c)

5Was the tow legal?

Common problems with private tows in New Jersey include missing tow-away signs, and refusing to release the car when you came back before it left.

Check my towSale deadlinesEvidence checklistDispute letter

Tow-away sign rules in New Jersey

These apply to private lots (a single-family lot, an owner-occupied building of six units or fewer, and a car blocking a driveway or garage entrance are exempt).

• Where: In a conspicuous place at every vehicular entrance.
• Size: at least 36 by 36 inches.
• Must show: the hours parking is enforced.
• Must show: where towed cars are stored.
• Must show: the tow and storage charges.
• Must show: a warning that unauthorized vehicles will be towed.
• Must show: the towing company's name.
• Must show: the towing company's phone number.

N.J.S.A. 56:13-13(a), (d); N.J.A.C. 13:45A-31.6(a), (b) (opens in a new tab)

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 a private-property tow the company may charge only a flat basic-tow fee and the add-on fees listed in the Division's rules. Any other fee is not allowed. The bill must show the time your car reached the lot and list every service charged, and a flat basic tow bill must list the services performed.
3. File a complaint.
   • NJ Division of Consumer Affairs
     Website (opens in a new tab)
4. Consider small claims or a chargeback. New Jersey small claims court (Special Civil Part, Small Claims Section) handles money claims up to $5,000. If you paid by credit card, you can dispute the charge with your card issuer. For billing errors, your written dispute generally must reach the issuer within 60 days of the first bill showing the charge. Whether a tow charge qualifies is up to the issuer.

7Deadlines to watch

Common questions

Not verified yet for Passaic

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
• Local maximum rates for private-property tows
• City-specific documents needed to pick up a car
• Local rules for someone else picking up your car
• Local auction schedules for unclaimed cars

Other cities in Passaic County

• Clifton
• Paterson