Like I always say, driving comes with lots of expectations. I’ve been driving for 18 years and I can tell you how unknowing the road can be.
You can literally park your car to quickly get something somewhere, only for you to come back and be told that your car has been towed for one reason or the other. So, can someone tow my car without permission?
Someone can tow your car without your permission if you break the law of parking or easement by parking on someone’s private property such as a driveway, a business parking lot, or a designated no-parking zone, etc.
Can Someone Tow My Car Without Permission?
Normally, someone cannot tow your car without your permission or at least without informing you. But it is not impossible. So, yes, your car can be towed without your permission.
However, before your car can be towed without your permission, you must have parked the car where you’re not supposed to park.
You can’t just park your car and someone tows it just because he/she can easily do so. You have to violate parking rules before your car can be towed without your permission or consent.
When Can Someone Tow My Car Without Permission?
Here’s are when someone can tow your car without your permission:
1. If You Parked on Someone’s Private Property
Private property owners or managers have the right to control parking on their premises.
If you park your car on someone’s private property without authorization, such as in someone’s driveway, a business parking lot, or a designated no-parking zone, the property owner or their authorized agent may tow your car without your permission.
This right is outlined in property lease agreements or local ordinances. There might be visible signs in the parking lot stating the same thing.
So, you can’t just trespass into someone’s private property or business property and park without their permission and expect them to seek permission from you before towing your car.
This reminds me of an incident that happened 5 years ago at a McDonald’s parking lot where vehicles are towed immediately after you are parked and walked away.
According to the Inside Edition who televised the news, McDonald’s tows people’s cars without their permission if they are not customers. The had signs pasted everywhere in their parking lots warning drivers that their cars could be towed if they were not customers.
So, since its a business parking lot, if you park there and walk away instead of buying something from them, your car will be towed immediately without your consent.
Inside Edition Staffs had to test this out to know how true it is. They had their car parked on McDonald’s parking lot and immediately the driver walked away, a towing truck came and towed the car.
This clarifies the motion that indeed, your car can be towed without your permission or consent if you parked in a private property such as the business parking lot.
However, just like in McDonald’s parking lot, signs indicating parking restrictions and consequences for unauthorized parking are usually displayed to notify vehicle owners of the property owner’s towing authority.
2. If You Violate Parking Rules on Public Property
Your car can be towed without your permission or consent if you violate parking rules on a public property.
In as much as towing someone’s car on public property, such as streets, roads, or municipal parking lots, is regulated by local laws and ordinances, law enforcement agencies, transportation departments, or contracted towing companies may be authorized to tow vehicles under specific circumstances without your permission.
A common reason your car can be towed from public property without your consent is parking violations.
For example, parking in a no-parking zone, blocking a fire hydrant or driveway, exceeding time limits in metered parking spaces, abandoned vehicles on public property, or vehicles posing safety threats or obstructions to traffic flow.
If your vehicle violates any of these rules, it will be towed with or without your consent. You blocked a fire hydrant and expect your car not to be towed. Of course, it will. Moreover, as a driver, you’re supposed to know the rules guiding fire hydrants. The same goes for a no-parking zone.
3. If You Abandon Your Car for an Extended Period
Your car can be towed without your permission or consent if you abandon the car. This is possible because vehicles left unattended for an extended period may be deemed abandoned and subject to removal.
The rules governing abandon vehicles can vary by jurisdiction but they often include factors such as expired registration, missing license plates, visible signs of neglect, or failure to move the vehicle after receiving notices or warnings.
However, before the abandoned car can be towed, authorities usually follow legal procedures that may involve providing notice to the owner, conducting an investigation to determine ownership, and obtaining approval from authorities.
Meanwhile, you can’t abandon your vehicle in the middle of a freeway or busy road and expect the authorities to start looking for your approval before towing the vehicle away.
For example, if your vehicle suddenly stopped in the middle of a busy road and you fearfully abandon it and left without looking to tow it away, or maybe you went away looking for a towing truck and took too long to come back, the car can be towed by the authorities for safety reasons and because of the urgency of the matter, they may not wait until they get your permission before towing the vehicle.
4. Emergency Situations
In emergency situations where a car poses an immediate threat to public safety or impedes emergency response efforts, towing without permission may be justified.
This justifies the example I gave above about leaving your spoilt car in the middle of a busy road. The car will be towed without your permission for safety reasons.
The police, emergency responders, or authorized personnel may take necessary action to remove the vehicle as soon as possible to mitigate risks and ensure public welfare.
Examples of emergency towing include clearing accident scenes as seen in the featured image used in this article, removing vehicles blocking evacuation routes, or addressing vehicles posing threats during severe weather events. So, don’t expect them to get permission from you before having the car towed.
These are the only ways your car can be towed without your permission or consent. Therefore, if you believe your car was towed unlawfully or without sufficient justification, you have recourse to challenge the towing and seek compensation for any damages or expenses incurred.
This may involve:
- Reviewing the circumstances leading to the towing,
- Gathering evidence to support your claim (e.g., photographs, witness statements),
- Filing complaints with relevant authorities (e.g., local police department, consumer protection agency),
- Pursuing legal action against the towing company or property owner, or
- Engaging in dispute resolution processes.
What Should I Do If Someone Tow My Car Without Permission?
Here’s what to do if someone tows your car without your permission:
- Try and Stay Calm: If someone tows your car without permission, it can be frustrating and distressing. It’s natural to feel upset or angry, but try to remain calm and focused.
- Verify Why the Car was Towed: You need to make sure that the towing was legitimate by verifying why the car was towed. Check for signs indicating restricted parking, such as “No Parking” or “Tow Away Zone.” If your car was parked illegally or in violation of any regulations, the tow might be lawful.
- Contact the Towing Company: If you believe the towing was unauthorized or unjustified, contact the towing company immediately. Ask for details such as why your car was towed, where it’s being held, and how much it will cost to retrieve it.
- Check Your Local Towing Regulations: Check the local laws and regulations regarding towing. This includes any requirements for signage, notification procedures, and maximum towing fees.
- Contact the Police: If you suspect foul play or if the towing appears to be illegal, contact the police. They can help you assess the situation and determine if any laws were violated.
- Document Everything: Take photos of the location where your car was parked, any signage, and the condition of your car at the towing lot. Keep all receipts, paperwork, and communication related to the incident.
- You Can Retrieve Your Car: If you determine that the towing was lawful and necessary, you’ll need to retrieve your car from the towing lot. Be prepared to pay any towing and storage fees required.
- Seek Legal Advice: If you believe your car was towed unlawfully or if you encounter any issues during the process, consider consulting with a legal professional who specializes in towing and property law.
How Long Can Someone Tow My Car Without Permission?
It takes 24 or 48 hours for your car to be towed without permission by the the property owner or authorized towing company if your parked car is in violation of any parking rules.
In some cases like that of McDonald’s which is a business parking lot, it takes seconds you walked away without patronising them for your car to be towed without your permission, meaning that the time frame for towing without permission/consent can vary by location and is often outlined in local ordinances or by the facility.
How to Prevent Someone From Towing My Car Without Permission
Here’s how to avoid your car being towed without your permission:
Follow Parking Regulations
Always park your vehicle in accordance with local parking regulations and ordinances. Pay attention to posted signs, parking meters, and markings on the ground indicating permissible parking areas, time limits, and restrictions.
Respect Private Property
Avoid parking on private property without permission from the property owner or manager. Be mindful of parking restrictions in residential areas, commercial lots, and business premises to prevent your car from being towed for unauthorized parking.
Use Designated Parking Spaces
Park your vehicle in designated parking spaces or areas specifically designated for parking, such as public parking lots, parking garages, or residential parking zones. Avoid parking in areas marked as no-parking zones, fire lanes, or handicap spaces unless authorized.
Display Parking Permits or Passes
If required, display parking permits, passes, or stickers provided by relevant authorities or property owners to indicate your authorization to park in those areas. Make sure permits are visible and properly displayed to avoid confusion or misinterpretation.
Be Aware of Temporary Parking Restrictions
Stay informed about temporary parking restrictions, such as street cleaning schedules, special events, or construction zones. Plan your parking accordingly to avoid towing during scheduled maintenance or temporary closures.
Conclusion
It’s sometimes illegal to tow someone’s car without his/her permission or consent but it is not impossible. Your car can be towed without your permission if you parked on someone’s private property without authorization.
The same goes to when you park on someone’s private business parking lot unauthorized, when you abandon your vehicle for an extended period of time, when you violate parking rules in a public property, and in emergency situations.
However, if none of these are the case for your car and you believe it was towed unjustly, you can take actions to get compensation for having your car towed without your permission. How dare they?
