towing laws stipulate that your vehicle can be towed for these reasons: you’re parked along the highway in a way that’s dangerous to the public or obstructs traffic, you’re parked in a tow away zone, or your vehicle is reasonably believed to have been stolen.

You have 20 days to retrieve your car from the impound lot in Michigan.
Expect to pay hundreds of dollars to rescue a car from impound.
Find your car by calling the Abandoned Vehicle Help Desk at 517-636-5234.
You have the right to remove personal items from the impounded car for free.

When can police tow a vehicle in Michigan?

According to the Michigan Compiled Laws in

Michigan Vehicle Code MCL 257.252a

, the police are authorized to tow a vehicle if:

It is parked along a roadway in a way that results in a public hazard

It is parked along a roadway where parking is prohibited

There is reasonable suspicion that the vehicle in question has been stolen

Michigan law

states that once the authorized towing of a vehicle is done, the vehicle must be referred to as abandoned. It will be entered into the LEIN, the Law Enforcement Information Network.

These are just the abbreviated rules, so it would be wise to review the law in its entirety to avoid illegally parking or being towed. If you find your vehicle has been towed by the police agency, you should be able to find it at an impound lot.

How to get your car out of an impound lot in Michigan

Time: 20 days

A car owner has 20 days from receiving a notice of the vehicle’s status and location to visit the agency or impound lot. The police do not have the resources to hold your towed vehicle indefinitely.

If you fail to claim your vehicle in time, it could be sold at public auction.

Find it: If you’re unsure of the location of your vehicle, you can use the

Michigan Abandoned Vehicle Search

and enter your vehicle identification number (VIN) (not your license plate number). or call the Abandoned Vehicle Help Desk at 517-636-5234.

Retrieve it: To retrieve your car from the impound lot, visit during regular business hours. You will have to:

Pay any fees

Provide proof of ownership

If you can’t get to the impound lot yourself within 20 days, you can send someone on your behalf. Make sure they have a letter of authority signed by you, permitting them to retrieve your motor vehicle.

Fees: $100+

The process of getting your car from an impound lot is pretty simple—for many people, the struggle is paying the fees.

The cost will depend on the situation. But be prepared to pay hundreds of dollars to cover:

Towing fees

Storage fees (about $20/day, starting the day that the vehicle arrives at the yard)

Administrative fees (usually $60)

Transfer charge fees

Other fees may apply so make sure you have the money to drive your car home from the policy agency impound lot.

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When can private property owners tow a vehicle in Michigan?

It’s not only the Michigan State Police who can tow your car. Business owners, property owners, and landlords are authorized in certain situations under state law to have your car towed from their property.

There are specific rules regulating when a private property owner can tow a car. This is to ensure that your car isn’t towed illegally whenever someone feels like it.

After giving notice: The most important rule is that private property owners must provide notice to warn drivers of towing or removal of vehicles before they are authorized to tow a vehicle. A “No Parking” sign is the most common form of notice.

Proper “No Parking” signs should:

Be visible

Follow the exact measurements and directions provided by the state

Include the name and number of the towing service that the property owner has an agreement

Any other relevant information like the phone number of the local traffic law enforcement agency

What to do next: If a property owner legally towed your vehicle, there’s not much they have to do to help you. Their primary responsibility is to provide notice that will prevent you from illegally parking on their property.

If you fail to adhere to the notice(s), it’s on the vehicle owner to go about retrieving the car.

MORE:

How much does it cost to tow a car?

When can your car be towed from a parking lot in Michigan?

According to subsection 257.252d of the Michigan towing law, a vehicle can be towed if:

It is stopped, standing, or parked in a space intended for parking for persons with disabilities.

It has been on the property for 48 hours or longer (i.e., abandoned).

It’s technically the commission of a crime to park in a disabled parking spot. If you did not violate either of these laws and your vehicle is still towed, then you may have a legal case against the parking lot owner who initiated the tow.

What are my rights if my car is towed in the state of Michigan?

As the owner of a vehicle that’s been towed, you have certain rights including:

Inspection: The towing organization must let you inspect the vehicle and take possession of any personal property in the vehicle.

No fee retrieval: No fee should be attached to retrieving any personal property during the first visit.

Your first step, upon discovering that your vehicle is not where you left it, should be to call the local traffic enforcement agency. They will have more information for you to help you act fast and get your car out of the storage facility.

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FAQs

What is the maximum towing fee in Michigan?

There’s no maximum towing fee in Michigan as neither the Secretary of State nor the Attorney General enforces limits. You should expect to pay between $2.50 and $7.00 per mile. Rates will vary based on the towing company and tow truck.

Can a landlord tow your car without notice in Michigan?

No. Only a private property owner is authorized to tow a car in Michigan in addition to a business owner. The law differs between these two parties so it’s best to be well informed as to the specifics of towing laws in your state.

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