Car Towed in Stockton? Getting It Back

A fenced vehicle storage yard at night with parked cars and a sign listing what you need to release a vehicle: ID, registration and payment

You walk back to where you parked and the car is gone. Before assuming the worst, take a breath. In most cases a missing car in Stockton has been towed, not stolen, and getting it back is a matter of finding the right yard and bringing the right paperwork.

This guide covers what to do, in order. Rules vary by agency and by yard, so treat it as a general guide and confirm details with whoever towed the car.

Flowchart for finding a towed car: police or CHP tows go through the agency, private property tows through the number on the posted sign, and both end at the yard with ID, registration and payment

Step 1: Work out which kind of tow it was

There are two main kinds, and they are handled differently.

A police or CHP tow. This happens when an officer orders a car removed. Common reasons include a crash, a car blocking traffic, expired registration, parking violations, or an arrest of the driver. On freeways and many county roads, that is the CHP. On Stockton city streets it is usually the Stockton Police Department, and in Lodi, Manteca or Tracy it is that city’s police.

A private property tow. This is when a property owner or manager has the car removed from a private lot, such as an apartment complex, a shopping center or an office park. In California, these lots generally have to post signs at the entrances saying that unauthorized vehicles will be towed, with the name and phone number of the tow company.

Step 2: Find out where the car is

If you think it was a private property tow, look for the sign at the lot entrance and call the number on it. If you cannot find a sign, call the police non-emergency line. Tow companies are required to report private property tows to local police, so the police can usually tell you who has the car.

If you think it was a police or CHP tow, call that agency’s non-emergency line. Give your plate number and where the car was parked. They will tell you which yard has it and whether you need a release from them first.

If nobody has a record of a tow, report it stolen.

Step 3: Get a release if you need one

For many police tows, the yard cannot hand the car back until the agency that ordered the tow has signed a release. That usually means a trip to the police department with your ID and proof of ownership, and sometimes a release fee. Some impounds, such as those tied to driving without a valid license, carry a holding period, and the car cannot be released until it ends.

Private property tows do not normally need a police release. You go straight to the yard.

Step 4: Go to the yard with the right documents

Bring:

A valid driver’s license or ID that matches the registered owner, or authorization from the owner
Proof of ownership: current registration or title
Payment for the tow and any storage. Call ahead to ask what the yard accepts.
The police release, if one was required

If the registration is expired, ask whether you need to renew it before the car can be released. Requirements differ, and it is better to find out before you make the trip.

Step 5: Move quickly, because storage adds up

Storage is billed by the day. Every day a car sits in a yard adds to what you will owe, and after a long enough period an unclaimed vehicle can be sold to cover the charges. If you cannot get to the yard right away, call and ask about their hours and fees so you can plan.

If the car will not run, or you would rather it go straight to a shop, we can arrange a tow from the yard once it has been released to you. Call (209) 850-ROAD with the yard’s address and where it should go.

Do you have rights if the tow was wrong?

If you believe your car was towed from private property without proper signage, or that you were overcharged, keep every receipt and take photos of the lot and its signs. You can raise it with the property owner, the tow company and, if necessary, small claims court. California has specific rules on private property tows and the fees that can be charged. A local legal aid office or the police department’s records unit can point you toward the details.

Avoiding it next time

Read the signs at every lot entrance, especially at apartment complexes and at shopping centers that set time limits on parking.
Keep your registration current. Expired tags are a common reason for police tows.
Never leave a broken-down car on a freeway shoulder longer than you have to. Abandoned vehicles get tagged and towed.

If your car is broken down rather than towed, call (209) 850-ROAD and see our 24 hour towing page for how a call works.