In most cases, you’re not going to get your towed car back for free: Whether you can get your towed car back without paying depends on a number of factors—including the reason it was towed in the first place.

If your car was towed because of something illegal you did: The odds of your getting it back without paying are slim to none. However, even in these circumstances, you may have some options to at least lower your fees, even if you can’t erase them completely.

How to get a towed car back without paying

Keep in mind: Even if you get your towing fees waived, impound will require the vehicle owner to present a valid driver’s license and proof of insurance to drive a car out of the impound lot, so be sure you gather those documents before taking any further steps to retrieve your car.

1. Determine why you car was towed

Some of the most common reasons vehicles get towed include:

Illegal parking

Unpaid tickets

Unpaid

car insurance

Criminal activity

Abandoned vehicles

If your car has been towed because of criminal activity: You should resign yourself to the fact that you’re going to have to pay to get it back.

If your car was towed for any other reason: You may have some options for negotiation or assistance that could help you retrieve your ride more quickly (and less expensively).

2. Confirm whether the violation is correct

Just because your car was towed doesn’t mean it was supposed to be towed.

Here are some things you can do to determine if your car may have been towed in error:

Check for No Parking signs: If your car is towed because you’ve been told you parked illegally, check the area around where your car was parked to ensure proper signage is both posted and clearly visible. Be sure to document photographic evidence if you plan to contest the violation.

Question management: If your car was towed from a parking lot or apartment complex with no clear signage prohibiting parking, check with the property owner or property management to determine why they had your vehicle towed. Especially if you have a For Sale sign indicating your car is available for private sale, you may have been mistakenly towed if management thought you were using their private property for free exposure (i.e. trespassing).

Research your state’s car towing laws: Since a person’s car is usually a key to their livelihood (getting to and from work, etc.), most states have laws on the books restricting towing in certain instances, especially those having to do with bankruptcy. Check your state’s laws to see if they contain exceptions or loopholes for your circumstances that may have been overlooked by a lender, insurance provider, or other entity.

If you suspect your vehicle was towed illegally: Contact local police via the non-emergency line to assist in vehicle recovery.

The best case scenario is that you will be able to prove there was inadequate signage warning against parking in a given location or that your car was towed due to a misunderstanding or error rather than an actual violation on your part. In these cases, you’re almost guaranteed to get your car back free of charge.

3. Locate your vehicle

Don’t call 911: Yes, having your car towed is a serious inconvenience, but it is not a life-threatening emergency worthy of a call to 911. All police departments have non-emergency phone numbers for citizens to call in situations where assistance and/or service are needed, such as if your car’s been towed.

Whether your car was towed by the police or by another entity, law enforcement should be able to help you determine not only why your car was towed but also where it was towed.

If your car has been towed because of unpaid parking tickets or other moving violations, or any type of criminal activity: You will not be able to get it back until after the fines and fees for those infractions are paid. Period.

If your car was towed due to unpaid auto insurance premiums: You will not be able to retrieve your vehicle until after you’ve brought your policy up to date. You should also expect to pay fees for towing and storage of your vehicle at the tow yard.

If your car was towed because of where it was parked or how long it was parked there: You may have some options, and a police officer may be able to act as a go-between for you and the tow yard or you and whomever has had your car towed. Keep in mind, though, just because an officer may be happy to act as a mediator that doesn’t mean you’re inherently in the right or entitled to get your car back free of charge.

Pro Tip You need to move fast to get your vehicle out of impound. Every day the tow company stores your car, daily storage fees are piling up that you may have to pay to retrieve your car.

4. File a complaint and/or dispute claims

If you’re able to show that the tickets that led to your car being towed were invalid or that you had to park illegally due to emergency circumstances: You may be able to get your tow charge and impound fees waived. Check your city’s official website (ending in .gov or .org) to learn how to request a hearing.

If you’re worried about the added potential cost of filing a claim, note that you can often get

free legal assistance or at least discounted legal aid

if you’re able to demonstrate financial need.

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What to do if you can’t get your towed car back for free

If all of the above attempts have failed, you still have options for getting your car back without paying the full towing and impound fees immediately:

Ask about financing: Some tow companies offer financing and payment plans to help make paying towing and impound fees more manageable. Note, however, that these plans often come with high interest rates, so you may be better served by considering other options, or paying the cost in full.

Seek out community action agencies: Local nonprofit organizations, charities, and churches may offer programs to help those who can demonstrate financial need pay or finance their towing and impound costs. In some cases, fees may be paid in exchange for volunteer service, or low-interest loans may be offered.

Get a payday or title loan: This is certainly not your best option, as payday loans are often accompanied by massive interest rates and fees, but it is still an option when all else fails. Note that if you default on a title loan, you’ll be back at square one with your towed-vehicle problem.

Pro Tip If your towing and storage fees aren’t paid and your vehicle isn’t retrieved in a specific amount of time, the tow truck company is legally entitled to seize and sell your vehicle to cover the costs.

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