 Use Only Licensed Tow Companies.
Check with the Department of
Consumer Affairs (DCA) to make sure a tower is licensed.
Call (212) 487-4103. Before you allow a private tow truck
to hook your car, look for the DCA license medallion - a
small red plate on the driver's side rear fender.Also,
check the side of the truck. Licensed trucks list the
company's name, address and phone number; the DCA license number; and the DCA complaint
phone number. Make sure you keep a record of the towers
DCA license number.
You May Choose
Your Own Repair Shop.
You have the right to have your car
repaired by anyone you choose. If you don't want the
tower to fix your car, clearly tell the tower not to
repair it and don't sign an "Authorization to Repair
Form."
Check Your Car
Carefully Before It's Towed.
Take out all valuables, including
those in the trunk and glove compartment. Note any damage
to your car.
Get a Clearly
Itemized Bill.
You will need it if you want to
challenge any charges. Also, your insurance company may
require it.
You May Use Your
Credit Card.
It's the law. Towers are required
to accept credit card payments for towing services.
If you are in an accident.
You must
use a DCA licensed tower called by the police or a tower
specially authorized to tow in the zone where you've had
the accident. Don't let a tower take your car unless a
police officer directs you to do so. It's illegal
for tow trucks to chase business by racing to
accidents.The tower must bring your car to its storage
facility or a place of your choice in a nearby area. A
tower that you select can take your car from there.
When operating as a participant in the NYPD
accident program
Consumer Affairs enforces maximum
legal rates that private tow companies can charge for
towing and storage. You cannot be charged any other fees,
such as yard charges, service fees, or fees to inspect
your car. Current rates are:
| $65.00 |
for towing and the first calendar day of storage |
| $3.50 |
for each mile towed to a different location other than tow company's yard |
| $10.00 |
for each of the second and third days of storage |
| $15.00 |
for each day of storage
thereafter |
If your car breaks down.
Call the DCA licensed tow company of your choice.
If you are on a highway.
Stay with your car. Only certain companies franchised by
the NYC Department of Transportation are allowed to tow
from major highways. Wait for either that authorized
tower or the police. Once your car is removed from the
highway, you may have it towed by the company of your
choice.
From a shopping
center or other private property.
Look for a posted sign indicating
which tow company towed your car. If you can't find a
sign, call the local police precinct.
When a vehicle is towed for being improperly parked on private property up to:
| $100.00 |
for towing any distance
and three days of storage |
| $10.00 |
for each day of storage
thereafter |
| $50.00 |
if the person in control of the vehicle arrives prior to the removal of the vehicle |
Placing a
"boot" on your car, rather than towing it, is
legal on some private property. But if your car is towed,
the towing company cannot charge you for both towing and
booting. The City set a maximum rate for
booting at $25.00.
From a driveway that you
blocked.
Call the local police precinct.
From the street for a
parking or traffic violation.
Call the NYC Department of
Transportation Bureau of Traffic at (212) TOWAWAY, that's
(212) 869-2929.
NYC Dept. of Transportation
Tow Charges.
The Department of Transportation
(DOT) charges different rates. Call the DOT Parking
Violations Bureau Help Line at (718)422-7800 for
information.
NYC Department Of
Consumer Affairs
| (212) 487-4444 |
To file a complaint about
a private tower. |
| (212) 487-4103 |
To learn if a tower is
licensed. |
NYC Department Of
Transportation
| (718) 422-7800 |
To file a complaint about
a private tower. |
NY State
Department of Motor Vehicles
| (518) 474-8943 |
To file a complaint about
auto repairs. |
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