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Your vehicle may have been towed by the NYPD to a tow pound because you were parked illegally.

It also could have been moved by the NYPD to a nearby parking spot because of:

  • An accident
  • Filming
  • Construction
  • Street event such as a parade or fair

Your vehicle may have been towed by the City Marshal or Sheriff if you owe more than $350 in judgment debt from parking tickets or camera violations.

As of January 11, 2021, penalties will be added to camera violations 30 days after the date of the notice of liability. No penalties were assessed between March 22, 2020 and January 11, 2021 and no camera violations entered judgment during that time.

If you have $350 or more in camera violations that are in judgment, your vehicle may be booted or towed if you do not pay what you owe or enter into a payment agreement. At this time parking tickets in judgment do not count towards the $350 total. 

If your vehicle has been impounded by the Marshal, you must pay what is owed or your vehicle will be sold.  Due to the hardships of COVID-19, you may be able to make a partial payment and enter into a payment agreement to retrieve your vehicle.

If you know your license plate number, state, and type of plate (such as passenger, commercial, or vanity), you can find out:

  • The location for your vehicle
  • If it was towed by the NYPD, a Marshal, or a Sheriff
  • Cost to get it back

It may take up to 2 hours for your vehicle to be entered into the system. If it is not found and it's been less than 2 hours, check again later.

You should contact the police precinct where you were parked if it's been more than 2 hours and your vehicle is not in the system. They can tell you if your vehicle was towed by a private company or you need to report it stolen.

Blocked Violation or Vehicle

If your plate or ticket is blocked visit or contact the Department of Finance for more information. The locations are available in the Department of Finance Business Centers page.

Online

Use NYCServ to find a towed vehicle.

By Phone

Call 311 for assistance.

Contact the local police precinct for assistance if:

  • Your car was towed for blocking a driveway
  • Your car was towed for illegal parking in Staten Island

Blocking a Driveway

If there is a sign where you were parked with the towing company's name and phone number, contact them directly to find out where your vehicle is and how to get it back. You can also contact the police precinct where you were parked. Private towing companies may tell the local precinct that they towed a vehicle from the area. When this happens, the precinct can give you the towing company's contact information.

Parked in Staten Island

There is one tow pound in every borough except Staten Island. If you think your car was towed in Staten Island, contact the police precinct where you were parked for assistance.

Call 311 for assistance.

If your vehicle did not have a license plate, call the Department of Sanitation.

They may have removed your vehicle.

Your vehicle can be booted by a Marshal or Sheriff if you have over $350 in parking or camera violations in judgment debt. After it is booted, you have 48 hours to pay all violations in debt or your vehicle will be towed. A vehicle may be towed regardless of whether it's parked on a public street or private property.

If you have outstanding parking or camera violation judgments, a 90-day tow hold is placed on your towed vehicle and all other vehicles registered to you. The hold ends when you get your vehicle back or it is auctioned. While it's in place, any of your vehicles can be booted and towed if you don't resolve your violations. This includes the original violations and any new ones that go into judgment. Only the violations in judgment need to be resolved. You do not have to pay violations that are not in judgment.

Use NYCServ to find a towed vehicle.

Your vehicle may have been booted and towed by a Marshal or Sheriff if you didn't resolve over $350 in parking or camera violations in judgment within 48 hours of being booted. A vehicle may be towed regardless of whether it's parked on a public street or private property.

If you have outstanding parking or camera violation judgments, a 90-day tow hold is placed on your towed vehicle and all other vehicles registered to you. The hold ends when you get your vehicle back or it is auctioned. While it's in place, any of your vehicles can be booted and towed if you don't resolve your violations. This includes the original violations and any new ones that go into judgment. Only the violations in judgment need to be resolved. You do not have to pay violations that are not in judgment.

Call 311 for assistance.

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