Before visiting a business center regarding a booted or towed vehicle, please be aware of the following:
Unless you have a vehicle that has been booted or towed, please schedule an appointment before visiting a DOF business center. You can also conduct many Department of Finance transactions online.
Find a Towed Vehicle (NYPD towed vehicles only)
A vehicle might be towed to either to an NYPD or NYC Sheriff/Marshal tow pound for several reasons:
NYPD and NYC Sheriff/Marshal tow pounds are closed, and vehicles cannot be retrieved, on the following days:
The owner of the vehicle being towed, or a person entitled to possession, can request the release of the vehicle before the tow truck is in motion.
In that event, the car must be unhooked and released and a binding agreement must be executed in which the owner consents to pay the vehicle release penalty.
The owner must present a current driver’s license and the registration, title, insurance identification, and car keys. If the vehicle is a rental, you must produce a rental agreement and car keys. If it is a company car, you must present your company identification.
To review the City of New York's parking summons penalty schedule, visit our fines page.
To locate and retrieve your towed vehicle, use the Towed Vehicle Locator (NYPD towed vehicles only) or contact 311.
The procedure to get your vehicle back depends on whether your vehicle was towed by:
Your booted vehicle may be towed if the DMV does not lift the suspension of your registration or if the license plate on the vehicle does not match the license plate listed on the registration. In that event, you should visit a Department of Finance business center (locations at www.nyc.gov/visitdof). You must bring the following documents:
If all is in order, you will be able to retrieve your vehicle after you have paid the judgment debt and fees.
If you come across your car being put on a tow truck after being booted, you can stop the tow if you call the boot release line at 646-517-1000 immediately and pay your judgment debt and fees over the phone. You will not be charged the full tow fee but must pay a tow dispatch fee (see Charges below). You may also be responsible for other fees the tow company may charge while handling your vehicle.
If you want to have a hearing you must visit a Finance Business Center. For more information click here.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** |
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 another driver with a valid license with you.
You must settle all Department of Motor Vehicle offenses, as well as parking ticket and camera violations that have gone into judgment before you can get your vehicle back.
You may need a registration clearance in order to retrieve your vehicle from the tow pound if your registration was suspended for having 5 summonses in judgment within a 12-month period and no other registration suspension on the vehicle exists. 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.
On the following days the NYPD tow pounds are closed and people will NOT be able to redeem vehicles:
For additional assistance locating a towed vehicle:
Contact 311
Call 212-NEW-YORK (Out-of-City)
TTY 212-639-9675 (Hearing Impaired)
What are "Tickets in Judgment"? Vehicle Auctions Vehicle Booting