How to Redeem Your Towed Vehicle
Who Towed My Vehicle?
NYC Police Department Towed Vehicle
Vehicles Towed by the Sheriff
City Marshal Towed Vehicle
Department of Motor Vehicle Offenses
Vehicles Not Redeemed
Fleet and Rental Program Vehicles
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Towed My Vehicle?
If your vehicle has been towed, it is important for you to know whether it was a Violation Tow or Judgment Tow:
| Violation Tow by NYPD |
Judgment Tow by Sheriff or City Marshal |
| If your vehicle has been booted or towed because it was illegally parked and you owe no unpaid parking tickets in judgment, redeem your vehicle directly from the NYC Police Department. If, however, your vehicle was illegally parked AND you owe more than $101.00 in outstanding tickets that have gone into judgment, your parking tickets must be paid to the Department of Finance before you can redeem your vehicle. When you have resolved your outstanding parking debt, you ask for a Vehicle Release Form. Take this to redeem your vehicle at the NYPD impound lot. |
Vehicle's registered owner has outstanding parking tickets of $350 or more on any vehicle registered to his/her name.
- If the Sheriff towed your vehicle, you have 10 business days to pay your parking fines and obtain a Vehicle Release form at any Finance Business Center. Request a Vehicle Release form to prove that you have paid, and take it to the impound lot to retrieve your vehicle.
- If a City Marshal towed your vehicle, you have 10 business days to pay your parking fines. Contact the City Marshal who towed your vehicle or go to a Marshal's Office.
|
How to Find Out Who Towed Your Car
Towed Vehicle Locator online
More options
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NYC Police Department Towed Vehicles
If the NYPD Violation Tow Unit towed your vehicle and you owe less than $101 in parking judgment debt, go directly to the NYPD to redeem your vehicle.
If the NYPD Violation Tow Unit has towed your car, and you have at least $101 in parking tickets in judgment, these tickets must be paid to the Department of Finance before you can redeem your vehicle. When you have resolved your outstanding parking debt, ask for a Vehicle Release form. Take this to redeem your vehicle at the impound lot.
The fastest payment method is to go to a Finance Business Center and pay your judgment debt (the fines and penalties on parking tickets that are 100 days old or older) and then go to the NYPD pound to redeem your car. You will also have to pay the Police Department's towing fees at the impound lot. The Police Department Pounds accept major credit cards, cash, certified checks, and money orders.
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Vehicles Towed by the Sheriff
If the Sheriff seized your vehicle, the registered owner of the vehicle has 10 business days from the tow date to go to one of the Finance Business Centers to resolve the outstanding parking tickets, pay the additional fees, and obtain a Vehicle Release form. The Sheriff's payment may be made in cash, money order, or certified or cashier's check, made payable to the "NYC Office of the Sheriff." You may also use Discover, VISA, MasterCard or American Express card (if the card is in the registered owner's name). You must have the Vehicle Release form when you go to redeem your vehicle.
The total amount that you will be required to pay is computed as follows:
| a. Amount due for Parking Debt on tickets 100 days old or older |
$ ______
|
|
b. Tow Fee
|
$ 185.00
|
|
c. Execution Fee
|
$ 70.00
|
|
d. Poundage (for Sheriff or Marshal Tow) (5% of Judgment Amount [a] + Tow Fee [b] + Execution Fee [c])
|
$ ______
|
|
e. Sheriff's Storage Fee @ $10-15/day (see below) or Marshal's Storage Fee @ $10/day(After the Tow Date) + Sales Tax
|
$ ______
|
|
f. Marshal Expenses(If towed by the Marshal, which may or may not be included in Poundage)
|
$ ______
|
|
g. Total Due (Add [a] to [f])
** - Storage fee = $10/day on Days 1 and 2 and increases to $15 a day on the third day.
|
$ ______
|
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City Marshal Towed Vehicles
If a City Marshal seized
your vehicle, the registered owner/representative should immediately contact the
Marshal's office to redeem vehicle by paying your outstanding parking tickets.
You should ask the
Marshal's office how much you owe in full. The
City Marshals accept cash, certified check, money orders, as well as VISA, MasterCard,
American Express or Discover card payment. The card must be in the registered
owner’s name. If you cannot redeem your vehicle immediately, you should explain to
the Marshals and ask for instructions and/or what are your options. If
you do not redeem your vehicle within seventy two (72) hours of seizure,
the Marshal will begin the process of notifying you that your vehicle is being prepared
for auction unless you do the following: (1) redeem the vehicle, (2) request
"sale hold" from an Administrative Attorney, by visiting the Finance offices at 66
John Street, 2nd Floor, New York, New York. In all cases make
sure you get the Marshal's office telephone number.
If you want a hearing for the outstanding parking tickets, you must first go to one of the Finance Business Centers.
Read more about Disputing Parking Tickets
For More Information
New York City Marshals
Satisfaction
of Judgment, Registration Clearance and Vehicle Release
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Department of Motor Vehicle Offenses
If your vehicle has been towed, the NYPD the Sheriff or Marshal may also find out that you are uninsured, your license has been suspended, the vehicle is unregistered, your license has been suspended the vehicle is unregistered, or the registration has expired.
These matters must be resolved and all outstanding judgment tickets paid before you can redeem your vehicle. If your registration had been deferred as a result of outstanding parking tickets, you must resolve the tickets first at a Finance Business Center (for a Sheriff tow), to the Marshal's Office (for a Marshal tow), and to the Police Tow Pound (for a Police tow), to redeem your vehicle.
Additional Information
NYS Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
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Vehicles Not Redeemed
The Sheriff and Marshal have regular auctions for vehicles not redeemed. NYC Police Department towed vehicles are turned over to the Sheriff for auction.
Find out more about vehicle auctions
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Fleet and Rental Program Vehicles
If the towed vehicle is a member of the Fleet or Rental Program
Email Fleet / Rental Program
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I redeem my vehicle if I'm uninsured?
How can I remove personal property from my car?
Can someone else redeem my vehicle for me?
What identification and documentation must I have to redeem my vehicle?
How do I redeem my vehicle if I'm uninsured?
If you are uninsured, you must present a current insurance card to redeem your vehicle at any of the impound locations.
How can I remove personal property from my car?
You can request a property release at any redemption site for personal property, such as luggage or a baby car seat. However, tires, radios, batteries, and other parts of the vehicle are not considered to be personal property and may not be removed from a given vehicle. Non-owners must bring a notarized letter signed by the vehicle owner providing permission to remove personal property from that vehicle. If a vehicle belongs to a firm or business, proof of employment must also be presented.
Can someone else redeem my vehicle for me?
If someone other than the owner wants to redeem the vehicle, that individual must also present a notarized letter from the registered owner, plus the original title or registration (no copies).
What identification and documentation must I have to redeem my vehicle?
You must bring the following:
- Your valid Driver's License (or someone else who has
one),
- The original vehicle registration stub (or the
title),
- The vehicle's valid Insurance Card; and
- Vehicle Release form (for both Sheriff and NYPD Violation Towed Vehicles with outstanding judgment debt)
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