HOW TO GET YOUR CAR OFF THE HOOK

If you drive a car, you may one day need to have your car towed, or worse, discover your car has been towed.

The NYC Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) licenses private companies that tow cars that block private driveways, are parked on private property, are immobilized after an accident, have been stolen or appear to be abandoned, or have broken down.

(Some companies are exempt from licensing. Their trucks must sport an exemption sticker. Tow trucks with an exemption sticker are not permitted to tow a consumer's vehicle.)

The NYC Police Department tows cars that violate NYC parking and traffic laws. The Sheriff's Office and the NYC Marshal supervise the towing of vehicles that have received tickets that have not been paid.

DCA also licenses private companies that boot cars parked in private lots or on private streets when the cars violate posted parking rules.

BEFORE DEALING WITH PRIVATE TOWING SERVICES …

When hiring, look for licensed tow companies.

Call the five-borough Citizen Service Center at 311 (or 212-NEW-YORK outside NYC) to make sure a towing firm is licensed. If you use an unlicensed company, you may not be able to get your money back if you are ripped off.

Before you allow a private tow truck to hook your car, check the driver's side of the vehicle for the company's name, address, phone number, and DCA license medallion. The medallion is a metal plate. If this information is not displayed, the truck is either unlicensed or in violation of licensing rules and should be reported to the City by calling 311.

Keep a record of the tow truck's medallion number. In addition, every tow truck driver must carry his or her DCA tow truck driver's license at all times. If you have a complaint about a specific driver, get his or her license number and call 311.

Carefully check the forms you sign.

Sign only an Authorization to Tow form or towing bill receipt issued by the licensed towing firm. You are not required to sign an Authorization to Repair form in order to get your car towed.

Always read forms carefully before you sign them. If you sign a "Designated Representative" form, you are designating the towing company to represent your interests with your insurance company. You are never required to sign a "Designated Representative" form. For any work you want done, get the details in writing. Never sign a blank form.

Be sure the tow truck driver gives you a copy of the Consumer Bill of Rights Regarding Towing, as required by law.

Choose your own repair shop.

You have the right to have your car repaired by whomever you choose.

If you don't want the towing firm to fix your car, clearly tell the truck driver not to repair it. Don't sign the towing firm's "Authorization to Repair" form.

If your insurer refers you to a repair shop, the insurer is responsible for the adequacy of the repairs. (In some cases, having the car repaired by anyone other than an authorized dealer may void your warranty or extended care agreement.)

Check your car carefully before it is towed. Note any damage to your car before it is towed. Take out all valuables, including those in the trunk and glove compartment.

Get a clearly itemized bill. You will need it if you want to challenge any charges. Also, your insurance company may require it.

Don't accept "cash only." By law, towing companies must accept at least one major credit card for payment for towing services.

ACCIDENTS

If you are in an accident or break down on the highway, you must use a licensed towing firm called by the police. You may not call your own tow truck. The truck summoned by the police is the only one that may respond under New York City's "Directed Accident Response Program" (DARP). But the towing firm, by law, must take your car wherever you say, within New York City. Be sure the authorization you sign specifies towing only, not repairs or other services.

Any other tow truck that appears at the accident scene is acting illegally. Advise the officer on the scene, or report such activity to your local police precinct. Make a note of the tow driver's name, license plate number and any other identifying information.

BREAKDOWNS

If your car breaks down, call a DCA-licensed tow company of your choice. Unlike rates charged by the City's DARP program, which are regulated, firms you choose can charge market rates.

If time permits, call around to different towing firms to compare prices. An inexpensive or free towing service may be available from an auto club, your insurance company or your car's manufacturer.

PRIVATE LOTS

When a parking lot is reserved for customers and you're not exclusively dealing with the proprietor's business, it's unlawful to park there, even if only for a few minutes. You can be towed, and you'll have to pay for the tow if you can't produce a receipt from the business from the period when you used its lot.

TOW PROGRAMS

The City's rotation tow program (ROTOW) regulates towing fees for stolen vehicles that have been recovered or vehicles that have been abandoned.

DCA regulates the City's DARP and ROTOW towing programs.

DARP and ROTOW rate caps

DARP towing rates

ROTOW towing rates

Towing rates from private parking lot

If your car is towed for blocking a driveway, the maximum fee is $100 plus tax and $10 per day storage fee after three days.

WHO TO CALL WHEN YOUR CAR IS...

… towed from a shopping center or other private property - Look for a posted sign with the name and number of the company that towed your car. Call the company to redeem your vehicle. If you can't find a sign, call the local police precinct.
… towed from a driveway that you blocked - Call the local police precinct.
… towed from the street for a parking or traffic violation - Call 311.
… booted at a parking lot or a private street - Look for a posted sign saying which booting company applied the boot. Contact that company to have it removed.
They must remove the boot within 30 minutes, must accept payment by credit card, and may charge no more than $25.

If your car is booted and towed from a private parking lot, the maximum fee is $25. If the car is towed from a private lot without booting, the maximum fee is $100.

There is no maximum rate for booting on private streets. The booting fee for private streets must be on file with Consumer Affairs. The fee must be conspicuously posted on signs at all entry access streets that intersect with public streets.

WHERE TO CALL FOR HELP

To file a complaint about a private towing or booting company, to learn if a private towing or booting firm is licensed, to get parking law information, and to locate your towed car, call 311. Outside the five boroughs, call (212) NEW-YORK.

To file a complaint about auto repairs, call the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, (518) 474-8943.