
You can get someone else's car towed by contacting the property owner (if it's on private property like your driveway) or local law enforcement (if it's illegally parked on public property). The process is strictly regulated, so you must have a legitimate reason, such as the vehicle being abandoned, blocking access, or violating specific parking rules.
The most common scenario is a car parked on your private property without permission, like in your driveway or a designated parking spot. In this case, as the property owner or manager, you have the right to have it removed. Your first step should be to contact a local towing company directly. They will require proof that you are the property owner (e.g., a deed or rental agreement) and will likely have you sign a release form authorizing the tow. Be aware that you may be responsible for the towing fee initially, though you might seek reimbursement from the vehicle's owner later.
If the car is illegally parked on a public street—blocking a fire hydrant, in a handicapped spot without a permit, or abandoned for an extended period—you need to call the non-emergency line of your local police department or city code enforcement. They will dispatch an officer to verify the violation and, if justified, issue a citation and officially authorize a tow truck from a police-contracted rotation list. Do not attempt to have it towed yourself in this situation, as only law enforcement has the authority on public roads.
Before taking action, it's wise to check your local municipal codes regarding abandoned vehicles, as there is often a mandatory waiting period (e.g., 72 hours) before a car can be deemed abandoned. Documenting the situation with photos and noting the license plate can also protect you if any disputes arise.

Call the non-emergency number for your local police. Don't dial 911 unless it's a real emergency, like blocking a hospital entrance. Just tell them the car's location, license plate, and why it's a problem—like it's been sitting for weeks with flat tires. They'll send someone out to check and if it's a valid reason, they'll handle calling the tow truck. It's their job, not yours, to deal with cars on public streets.

If it's in your own driveway or a spot you pay for, that's different. Look up a local towing company—they're used to this. You'll need to show them you own the place, like with a driver's license matching the address. They'll hook it up and take it to the impound lot. Fair warning, the car's owner might get upset, but you have the right to clear your own property. Just make sure you didn't accidentally give someone permission to park there first.

As a property manager, I deal with this monthly. The key is following the law to the letter to avoid liability. For private parking lots, we post clear "Towing Enforced" signs with the company's number. If a unauthorized vehicle appears, we document it with time-stamped photos, wait the required period per city code, then call our contracted tow service. We never touch the vehicle ourselves. This creates a clean, paper trail that protects us from wrongful towing lawsuits.

Check your local city website first. Most have a specific section for reporting abandoned vehicles. You can often submit a report online with the location, plate number, and a photo. It feels less confrontational than calling someone. The city will then send a notice to the registered owner before towing, which can take a week or two. It's the slowest method, but it's official and keeps you completely out of the middle of the situation.


