Towed Vehicles

Why vehicles are towed

Your vehicle may be towed by a city marshal or the Sheriff’s Office after it has been booted for having more than $350 in parking ticket or camera violations that are in judgment. Your vehicle can be towed by the NYPD at any time if you are parked illegally or do not have valid registration or insurance.

The procedure to retrieve your towed vehicle depends on whether it was towed by the NYPD for being parked illegally or by a city marshal or the Sheriff’s Office for unpaid judgments.

Find your towed vehicle

You can call 311 or use the links below to find a towed vehicle:

• Find a towed vehicle (NYPD towed only)
• Retrieve a towed vehicle

NYPD and NYC Sheriff/Marshal tow pounds are closed on New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.

Retrieve a Towed Vehicle in New York City

Important Information for Towed Vehicles

If your vehicle has been towed due to the DMV suspending your registration, or because the license plate on the vehicle does not match the license plate listed on the registration, visit a Department of Finance business center and bring the following documents:

1. A valid driver's license.
2. The original title for your vehicle (your name must appear on the front).
3. If you're not the titleholder, bring a notarized authorization from the titleholder along with their driver's license.
   • If the car is financed, contact the bank holding the title and request that they send you a certified copy of the title.
   • If the car is leased, contact the bank in charge of the title for a notarized authorization and a certified copy of the title.
   • If your vehicle has an unregistered plate, bring a valid driver's license and the original title.

If all is in order, you will be able to retrieve your vehicle after you have paid the judgment debt and fees.

Towed by NYC Police Department

Locate the NYPD Tow Pound in the borough where your vehicle was towed. If you owe $101 or more in judgment debt, you'll need to pay that, along with the tow fees and any other related charges at the pound.

NYPD Tow Pounds accept major credit cards, cash, certified checks, and money orders. However, you can't pay the ticket that caused the tow at the pound. Resolve the ticket separately with the Department of Finance online, by mail, or in-person within 30 days of the date of the ticket.

Stopping an NYPD Tow in Progress

If you catch your illegally parked car in the process of being towed by the NYPD, you can stop the tow by signing a “Field Release Agreement.” You must have a valid license and the car's registration or lease agreement. By signing this agreement, you agree to pay the parking violation penalty, a release fee of $100-$200 (depending on size of vehicle), and any other related fees within 30 days.

Towed by Marshal/Sheriff Judgment Tow

• To pay your judgment debt, call the boot release line at 646-517-1000 or visit a Department of Finance business center.
• If you do not have a valid credit card, you must pay your judgment debt and fees at a DOF business center. The business centers accept various payment methods.
• Remember to request a Vehicle Release Form if you pay in person; it's not needed for phone payments.
• You'll be directed on where to pick up your vehicle after payment, and be aware that delaying retrieval may result in additional storage fees.

Stopping a Judgment Tow in Progress

If your car is being towed after being booted, you can stop the tow by calling the boot release line at 646-517-1000 immediately and paying your judgment debt and fees over the phone.

Auctions

If you don't retrieve your vehicle within 72 hours of the tow, the auction process will begin. The vehicle may be auctioned off as soon as 10 days after being towed.

You can request a “Sale Hold” at any Finance Business Center.

Charges

Boot Fee:	$136.00
Sheriff/Marshal Execution Fee:	$80.00
Tow Fee (If applicable):	$140.00/$180.00/$1500.00*
Tow Dispatch Fee (If applicable):	$70.00/$90.00/$750.00*
Judgment Amount**
Additional Fees**

* Fee depends on the size and weight of your vehicle.
** Amount varies depending on the owed sum; you may also face additional tow company fees.

Department of Motor Vehicle Offenses

You will not be able to retrieve your vehicle if you do not have valid registration or insurance. If you do not have a valid driver’s license you will not be able to retrieve your vehicle unless you have, bring another driver with a valid license.

Settle all Department of Motor Vehicle offenses, parking tickets, and camera violations in judgment before retrieving your vehicle.

Retrieving Your Car: Registration Clearance

If your registration was suspended due to having five summonses in judgment within a 12-month period and no other registration suspension, you may need a registration clearance. A registration clearance certifies that you have no parking debt and allows you to obtain or renew your vehicle registration at the DMV in person.

NYPD Tow Pound Locations

Note that on New Year's Day, Memorial Day, the 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day, NYPD tow pounds are closed, and vehicle retrieval isn't possible.

For a list of NYPD Tow Pound locations and hours visit the NYPD Tow Pounds page. For additional assistance locating a towed vehicle:

Contact 311
Call 212-NEW-YORK (Out-of-City)
TTY 212-639-9675 (Hearing Impaired)