In Nevada, you can locate your towed vehicle by calling 311. Then contact the impoundment lot for instructions on how to retrieve the vehicle.
This typically requires you to pick up your automobile in person, show proof of ownership (such as registration papers), and pay various fees. Unclaimed vehicles may be auctioned off.
Why was my car towed in Nevada?
There are five main reasons that motor vehicles get towed to an impound lot:
- The car was parked in an illegal space. Examples are blocking a fire hydrant or parking in a handicapped spot without the proper plates or tags.
- You were in a car accident.
- You were arrested, such as for drag racing or driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI).
- A law enforcement agency discovered guns, drugs, or other contraband in the vehicle.
- You were cited for reckless driving.
Where was my car towed?
If your vehicle was towed due to illegal parking, there may be a phone number to call on the no-parking sign. Otherwise, the best way to locate a towed vehicle is to phone the local police department at 311. If possible, be sure to have the impounded vehicle’s make, model, VIN, and license plate number.
In Las Vegas, most cars get towed to one of these lots:
- Ewing Brothers at 1200 A Street, Las Vegas, NV 89106; (702) 382-9261;
- Quality Towing at 4100 East Cheyenne, Las Vegas, NV 89115; (702) 649-5711; or
- Fast Towing at 2201 N. Commerce St., Las Vegas, NV 89102; (702) 383-3278
In Reno, most cars get towed to one of these lots:
- Milne Towing at 1700 Marietta Way, Sparks, NV 89431; (775) 359-0106;
- A&A Towing at 1395 E 4th St, Reno, NV 89512; (775) 348-6565;
- Silver State Towing at 5301 Longley Lane Building E, Suite 183 Reno, NV 89511; (775) 348-8333;
- Nevada Towing, Inc. at 13855 Mount Anderson Street, Reno, NV 89506; (775) 747-1818; or
- All Points Towing at 2801-B Vassar Street, Reno, NV 89502; (7750 323-4002.
How do I get my car back?
Contact the impounding lot for specific instructions. You typically need to follow the following steps:
- You (the registered vehicle owner) must show up in person to sign the release form. You cannot send someone else unless the lot says otherwise.
- Produce proof of legal title. This usually includes showing proof of current registration along with a photo I.D. such as a valid driver’s license.
- Pay any fees that have accrued. The longer the car was impounded, the higher the impound fees. Tow companies usually accept cash, credit/debit cards, money orders, and electronic transfers.
How much does it cost to get my car out of impound?
On average, impounded cars rack up about $30 in fees a day (not including the initial towing service fee).
If the towing company notifies you that it has your vehicle, there is no ceiling to the daily fees – they keep accruing until the car is retrieved or sold at auction. Though if you are not notified, then the daily fees max out after:
- 21 days for cars involved in a crash and that were impounded at the request of police; or
- 15 days for all other automobiles.
Some auto insurance company policies cover towing and/or storage.
What happens if I do not retrieve my vehicle?
The impound company may auction off abandoned vehicles. If the money they receive from the sale is less than the total storage and towing fees, the company may file a lawsuit against you for the difference.
Additional Resources
For more in-depth information, refer to these scholarly articles:
- An Evaluation of the General Deterrent Effect of Vehicle Impoundment on Suspended and Revoked Drivers in California – Journal of Safety Research.
- An evaluation of the specific deterrent effects of vehicle impoundment on suspended, revoked, and unlicensed drivers in California – Accident Analysis & Prevention.
- Towing Can Devastate a Poor Family: The Solution Is to Reduce the Fees – Berkeley La Raza Law Journal.
- Safety and Other Impacts of Vehicle Impound Enforcement – Institute of Transportation Studies, University of California at Berkeley.
- To Tow Or Not to Tow: The Deterrence Effect of a Municipal Ordinance – Criminal Law Bulletin.
Legal References
- NRS 484B.433.
- NRS 706.4477.
- NRS 706.44793.
- NRS 487.037.
