how to find out if your car has been towed

[MacMarley]

If your car is missing, the fastest way to confirm a tow is to call the local non-emergency police number or the city's impound lot directly. They can tell you if your vehicle was towed and where it's being held. Start by checking the area for "No Parking" signs you might have missed. Then, use online resources; many cities have a centralized towed vehicle database where you can search by your license plate or VIN.

The most common reasons for towing are parking violations, blocking driveways, or being parked in a designated tow-away zone during street cleaning. If you were parked on private property, like a mall or apartment complex, contact the property manager, as they use private tow companies. It's also wise to check with surrounding businesses, as their security cameras might have captured the tow truck.

Be prepared with your vehicle information when you call: license plate number, VIN, make, model, and color. There will be fees to retrieve your car, which include the tow and daily storage costs. These fees can add up quickly, so it's best to act fast.

City	Primary Towed Vehicle Info Number	Online Search Portal Available	Average Impound Release Fee
New York City	311	Yes (NYC Towed Vehicle Locator)	$185 - $410
Los Angeles	311	Yes (LADOT Towed Vehicle)	$200 - $450
Chicago	311	Yes (Chicago Police Towed Auto)	$170 - $380
Houston	713-308-8580	Yes (Houston Towed Vehicle)	$150 - $350
Miami	311	Limited	$180 - $400

[DelFelicity]

My first move is always my phone. I pull up the city's website or use their 311 app and search for "towed cars." I type in my plate number, and it usually tells me right away if it's in the system and which lot to call. If that's a dead end, I call the non-emergency police line. They've been pretty helpful in pointing me toward the right impound yard. It saves me from driving around aimlessly.