What to Do If Your Car Gets Towed in New Jersey: A Step-by-Step Guide

Finding out that your car has been towed can be stressful and frustrating, but knowing what steps to take can make the process easier. At Hunterdon Towing in Ringoes, NJ, we often get questions about what to do if a vehicle gets towed in New Jersey. Here’s a quick guide to help you through the process.

1. Stay Calm and Gather Information

The first thing to do is stay calm and try to gather as much information as possible. Look for signs in the area where you parked to see if there are any towing regulations. In many cases, your car may have been towed due to parking violations, blocking a driveway, or being in a no-parking zone.

Check for the following:

No Parking Signs: Were there any signs indicating a tow-away zone?

Fire Hydrants or Driveways: Were you parked too close to a fire hydrant or blocking a driveway?

Private Property: Did you park in a private lot without permission?

2. Contact Local Authorities

In New Jersey, many towed vehicles are reported to the local police department. Contact your local police station or municipal office to find out if your car was towed and where it has been taken. Provide your license plate number, vehicle make and model, and the location where you parked to help locate your vehicle.

3. Check the Towing and Impound Lot

Once you've confirmed that your car has been towed, the next step is to find out where it was taken. The police or local authorities should provide the name and address of the towing company or impound lot that currently has your car.

Contact the towing company or impound lot to verify your car’s location, towing fees, and hours of operation. In most cases, you’ll need to go to the lot in person to retrieve your vehicle.

4. Prepare to Pay Fees

When your car gets towed in New Jersey, there are typically fees involved in getting it back. These fees may include:

Towing Fees: The cost of towing your vehicle to the impound lot.

Storage Fees: A daily fee for each day your car is stored at the impound lot.

Additional Fees: Depending on the situation, there could be additional charges for after-hours retrieval or if special equipment was needed to tow your vehicle.

Make sure to ask the towing company for the total amount you’ll need to pay. Most towing lots accept cash, credit, or debit payments, but it’s a good idea to confirm their payment methods in advance.

5. Bring Identification and Proof of Ownership

When you go to retrieve your car, you’ll need to bring:

Your Driver’s License or Government ID: To confirm your identity.

Proof of Vehicle Ownership: This can be your vehicle registration, title, or proof of insurance.

The towing company will need these documents to verify that you are the rightful owner of the vehicle before releasing it.

6. Know Your Rights

New Jersey has specific towing laws that protect vehicle owners from excessive fees or unfair practices. Make sure you are aware of your rights, including:

Reasonable Fees: Towing companies in NJ must charge reasonable fees in line with local ordinances.

Payment Options: Towing companies are required to accept at least one form of payment other than cash (such as a credit or debit card).

Detailed Invoice: You have the right to receive a detailed invoice explaining the charges for towing and storage.

If you feel that you’ve been charged unfairly, you can file a complaint with the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs.

Trust Hunterdon Towing for Reliable Towing Services in New Jersey

At Hunterdon Towing, we understand how stressful it can be when your car gets towed. That’s why we provide fast, friendly, and transparent towing services in Ringoes and the surrounding areas. Whether you need towing, roadside assistance, or vehicle recovery, our team is here to help.

If your car has been towed, or if you’re in need of towing services, give Hunterdon Towing a call. We’ll help you navigate the process and get your vehicle back on the road as quickly as possible.