Towing laws in Nevada are complex, especially when it comes to what kind of authority the local law enforcement agency has or doesn’t have in the matter.

According to

NRS 484B.443

: Any police officer can remove any vehicle on a highway, bridge, or tunnel that is causing traffic. This means that even if your car was left for just a few minutes, police have the authority to have the car impounded.

If the car isn’t blocking traffic, the rules are slightly more lenient. They must wait 24 hours on freeways and 72 hours on other types of highways before towing a vehicle.

There are plenty of other situations that your car could or will be towed, including:

If you are arrested for

a DUI

You park your car somewhere illegally, such as in a fire lane or an area designated as a “no parking zone”

Your car can’t operate after an accident

Expired registration

If the police decide your vehicle needs to be towed, it will be taken to an impound lot.

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

If your car gets sent to an impound lot as a result of being towed: You need to work quickly to get it back.

Police-impounded cars

are often sent to auction so that the lot can get their money's worth out of towing and storing it—sometimes it can happen in as little as a week.

To get started tracking down your car: Call 311 or search for your vehicle online. If you take the online route, make sure you check with the police department where your car was

towed

Once you find the lot your vehicle was taken to you’ll need to prove that you own the vehicle.

This can be done as long as you present the following:

Your driver's license

Proof of registration

Proof of insurance

Some lots may allow you to send someone other than you if you write them a letter of authorization. However, that individual will still need

proof of registration

and

proof of insurance

You’re going to have to pay a fee to get your impounded car back. This fee, which will grow larger each day the car remains in the lot, covers the cost of towing and storing the vehicle. You can expect to pay around $30 for each day the car is held.

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When can private property owners tow a vehicle in Nevada?

In general, property owners are allowed to

have cars towed

off of their property—e.g. a residential complex or mobile home park—as long as they give proper notice.

This can be done in a few ways, including:

Clearly labeled “NO PARKING” signs

A warning that they intend to tow the car, which the owner of the vehicle must receive 48 hours before towing

Some private property owners may also choose to contact the police rather than calling a towing company themselves. In this case, the law enforcement officer’s judgment would apply.

If your car is towed in this manner, getting it back is much the same as it would be if it was towed from a public area. You’ll still be responsible for storage and towing fees before you can get your car back.

The bottom line: To tow a vehicle parked on private property, providing proper notice ahead of time is key.

MORE: Find the best Reno towing services

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

Most parking lots and parking garages have clearly labeled rules and warnings in regards to towing. If you fail to follow those rules you can expect your car to be towed.

Like with private property, all that’s required is proper notice.

If you park correctly but you don’t pay the fee associated with the parking lot: You’ll have 24 hours to pay the money. After that, the owner or attendant of the parking lot can have your car parked.

Considering how expensive a towed car can end up being, you’re best off just paying for the parking in the first place.

What are my rights if my car is towed in Nevada?

If your car is towed while parked in Nevada, you have certain rights.

Some of those rights include:

The right of notice before your car is towed off the private property

The right to know the location of your car after it is towed

The right to retrieve your car as long as you pay the associated fees

You also have an option if you believe that your car has been towed unlawfully. Should this situation arise, you should file an Affidavit of Complaint for Unlawful Towing with the justice court of the town where the vehicle was towed. The process and success rate for filing this complaint will depend on the city or county where it happens.

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FAQs

How much does it cost when your car gets towed in Nevada?

If your car gets towed to an impound lot you’ll have to pay to get it back. The exact cost you’ll need to cover depends on where it was towed and how many days it takes for you to get it. On average, you can expect to pay around $30 for each day it remains in the lot.

Can police in Nevada take your car?

Yes, the police have the authority to tow your car for a variety of reasons. For example, if the police see an unattended car that’s blocking traffic on a highway, bridge, or tunnel, they will likely have that vehicle towed immediately.

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