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Your rights after a tow in Vermont

Vermont law sets rules for towing from private property, such as apartment complexes and store lots. Counties and cities set the maximum rates. Here is what the law says, in plain English.

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Burlington

Who can order a tow

Vermont treats a car as abandoned if it stays on private property without the owner's consent for more than 48 hours and still has valid plates. It can be treated as abandoned right away if it has no valid plate or VIN, or if a police officer asks for it to be removed. 23 V.S.A. 2151(1) (opens in a new tab)
A landowner (an owner, a tenant or anyone who controls the property) may remove an abandoned car, or hire a tow company to do it. A landowner who follows this process is protected from civil liability to the car's owner. 23 V.S.A. 2152(b)(2) (opens in a new tab)
The landowner must notify the local police right away after a tow, giving the plate number, VIN if known, and the car's make, model and color. The statute says 'immediately' and sets no number of hours, so call the police to find where your car went. 23 V.S.A. 2152(b)(2) (opens in a new tab)

Tow-away signs

No Vermont statute I read requires a private lot to post tow-away signs before towing an abandoned car. The only sign requirement found applies to town police towing from town highways under a town parking ordinance. 23 V.S.A. 2152; 23 V.S.A. 1752(a) (opens in a new tab)
Towns, villages and cities may pass their own ordinances allowing removal of cars parked without authorization on public or private land, including private lots. Those ordinances can set reasonable towing and storage charges and let a lien be placed on the car, so check your town's code. 23 V.S.A. 1753; 23 V.S.A. 2157 (opens in a new tab)

What the tow company can charge

For towing an abandoned car from private property the statute allows only a 'reasonable fee', paid by the car's owner or the landowner. It sets no dollar cap and no state rate sheet was found, so ask for an itemized bill. 23 V.S.A. 2155(a) (opens in a new tab)
The owner or lienholder can be charged for storage, but no storage fee may be charged for any period before the landowner sent the abandoned-vehicle certification form to the DMV. 23 V.S.A. 2155(b) (opens in a new tab)
For tows ordered by a town under a parking ordinance, the tow operator must accept cash or a certified or bank check, and at least two national bank credit cards. No payment-method rule was found for private-lot tows. 23 V.S.A. 1754 (opens in a new tab)

Getting your car back

Within 3 business days after the landowner files the form, the DMV mails a notice by certified mail to the last registered owner and any lienholder if the car can be identified by plate or VIN. It gives the car's location and a phone number. If no receipt comes back within 7 business days, a second notice goes by first-class mail. 23 V.S.A. 2154(a)(2) (opens in a new tab)
The owner or a lienholder can reclaim the car by showing the DMV satisfactory proof of ownership and paying, or arranging to pay, the permitted tow and storage charges to the towing agency, the DMV or the landowner. 23 V.S.A. 2154(b) (opens in a new tab)
If the owner or lienholder does not reclaim within 21 days after the second mailing, the DMV issues a certificate of abandoned motor vehicle. Title then passes to its holder free of the owner's claims. Cars with no plate or VIN need 21 days after the form is received. 23 V.S.A. 2154(a); 23 V.S.A. 2156(a) (opens in a new tab)
The DMV must keep a current list on its website of cars with pending abandoned-vehicle applications, with the make, plate or VIN, model, year and the applicant's contact information. Check it if your car is missing. 23 V.S.A. 2154(a)(3) (opens in a new tab)

Liens and holding your car

The landowner must apply to the DMV for an abandoned motor vehicle certification within 90 days after the car was discovered or moved. The form must include a VIN check by police, a licensed dealer or an inspection station. The statute does not create a right to sue the landowner over this duty. 23 V.S.A. 2153(a) (opens in a new tab)
Vermont's general lien law lets someone who repairs or alters an item at the owner's request keep it until paid, and sell it after 3 months with 10 days' written notice. It speaks of work done at the owner's request, so I found no basis for applying it to a car towed without the owner's consent. 9 V.S.A. 1951-1953 (opens in a new tab)

Disputing the tow

Photograph your car, its contents and any damage before you leave. A landowner who removes an abandoned car under the statute is shielded from civil liability, so proof matters if you claim the tow was not legally 'abandoned' (for example, it was there under 48 hours or you had permission). 23 V.S.A. 2151(1); 23 V.S.A. 2152(b)(2) (opens in a new tab)
Vermont law gives no special hearing or bond route to contest a private-property tow. The usual route is a civil claim, for example in small claims court for money damages up to $10,000. 12 V.S.A. 5531(a)-(b) (opens in a new tab)
The Vermont Attorney General's Consumer Assistance Program takes consumer complaints, and the AG studied towing practices in 2023 and 2024 under Act 41. That study is a report, not a rate or process rule. 2023 Act 41 sec. 35 (opens in a new tab)
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. Fair Credit Billing Act (FTC guidance) (opens in a new tab)

Where to complain

Vermont Attorney General, Consumer Assistance Program. Takes consumer complaints about businesses, including towing and storage practices. File a complaint (opens in a new tab)
Vermont DMV, Abandoned Vehicles. The DMV processes abandoned-vehicle certifications and keeps the list of vehicles under application. File a complaint (opens in a new tab)

Vermont small claims court hears money claims up to $10,000, with no splitting of a larger claim. A claim over $3,500 lets the defendant ask for a judge or attorney-hearing officer.

Check your tow

Sources

Last checked 2026-10-17. These are the laws and official pages this page is based on.