Asking a towing company to remove an illegally parked vehicle should be a simple thing but sometimes it doesn’t go to plan. Suddenly you’re hit with a damages claim from the vehicle owner, a fine for towing without the right warning signs, or a bill because you accidentally had the wrong vehicle towed.
These simple precautions can help.
1. Confirm The Vehicle Is Actually In Violation
Do not make assumptions, instead, go to the location or street and check what signs are there, their location, and if they are clearly visible to people before they park. In most municipalities, tow-away signage is required at each entrance and at regular intervals, as written in municipal codes.
If a driver claims there was no warning, it is more difficult to justify the tow. Legally defensible signage is the first thing any lawyer will ask about if the vehicle owner disputes the removal.
2. Determine If It’s A Public Or Private Property Issue
This changes who you call. On public streets and municipal lots, enforcement is typically the purview of the police or a parking authority, not a private towing company you’ve hired. On private property, you’re usually within your rights to grant removal. Knowing which situation you’re in keeps you from overstepping, and making the wrong call can prevent the situation from getting sorted or create liability.
If you don’t know how jurisdiction works in a given instance, it’s a good idea to understand who to contact about an illegally parked car before making a move, so you don’t end up creating an unauthorized mess or waiting around for justice.
3. Check Your Local Grace Period Requirements
Some municipalities require a vehicle to be tagged and given a notice period – often 24 to 72 hours – before a private tow can legally proceed, unless the vehicle is blocking a fire lane, fire hydrant, or emergency exit. Skipping this step when it’s required can expose you to claims of predatory towing, which carries its own penalties.
The exception is safety-related violations. A car blocking emergency access doesn’t get a grace period, and that distinction matters when you’re explaining your decision later.
4. Document Everything Before The Truck Arrives
Capture good images of the vehicle from all four sides. Photograph the tires, any present dents or scratches, and the surroundings as well. Try to snap a picture of the nearest sign to the parked car, too. The photos serve two purposes: They prove the car was, in fact, parked improperly, and they protect you from the situation where the vehicle owner claims that the towing business caused damages. In the absence of photographic evidence, it’s their word against yours.
Know the car’s make, model, color, and license plate when you reach out to the dispatcher. If there’s a VIN visible, that’s even better. Having the wrong vehicle towed isn’t quite as common as getting the wrong car ticketed, but it’s still more common than most people realize, and the blame for that falls partly on the person who made the call to tow it.
5. Evaluate The Nature Of The Violation
The appropriate reaction may not be the same for every unauthorized vehicle. For instance, a car that’s been immobile in a lot for several weeks warrants a different response than a vehicle that’s blocking a fire hydrant. Response timelines for abandoned vehicles are often governed by local abandoned vehicle laws and may take longer to qualify.
In comparison, a vehicle that’s blocking emergency access and posing a potentially immediate safety risk will likely take priority from dispatch. Some towing companies even have a separate protocol for these types of calls. Knowing under which category your removal request falls helps you to accurately communicate the situation to the dispatcher and set expectations.
6. Verify The Towing Company’s Credentials
According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), towing and storage generates the most consumer complaints, and using an unlicensed or unregistered operator is bad news for everyone, including the person who contracted for the towing. Ask for the company’s license number and confirm they carry liability insurance before the truck arrives.
When the driver comes, they should provide a towing manifest documenting the condition of the vehicle at pickup and the destination impound lot. If they won’t give you a manifest, that’s a reason to stop and ask more questions.
Legitimate towing operates by the paperwork, licensing, and knowing exactly where your vehicle is going. The second fact is critical since the owner has the right to recover their car, and you may have to release that information.
Get The Basics Right Before Anything Moves
The tow itself only takes a few minutes. It’s the prep work that turns a potential multi-months long dispute into a minor speed bump in your life. Verify the violation, document the condition, confirm your authority to act, use a licensed company.
That order doesn’t make the task overwhelming, it just ensures you’re in a good spot when that person does come forward and ask why you towed their car.
