The next step depends on 2 questions:
- Why did your car get towed?
- From where did it get towed?
We won’t discuss vehicle repossession, which is actually very different than towing.
Generally officers can’t leave a vehicle unattended if they’re arresting a driver. So if you’re arrested while driving, the officer will call a tow truck to pick up your car. Once you are taken into custody and granted a bond, you will receive towing information on where your car is locate.
To retrieve your vehicle, many jurisdictions will ask for a Vehicle Release Form from the police agency that towed your car. To receive this form, you’ll need the following:
- Valid picture ID (i.e. current driver’s license, state-issues ID, military ID, passport, etc.)
- Current vehicle registration
- Original title
If the registered owner is not available to pick up the vehicle, they can send a representative. The representative must have a notarized Authorization Release Form that includes the vehicle specifics.
How much will is cost to retrieve my vehicle?
The Georgia Department of Public Safety has capped the fees that towing companies can charge. In addition, certain cities may set a lower maximum fee within their city limits. For more info, check the ordinances of the city where your car was towed.
The maximum towing rates and charges per state law
The maximum storage rates and charges per state law as follows:
If your car has been towed in Fulton County, click here for more helpful information.