Owner’s Bill of Rights
for Towed Vehicles
Who can tow your car or truck?
DC government officials can order public tows, in
emergencies -- and when vehicles:
• Involved in accidents.
• Don’t show licenses, registrations, or inspection stickers.
• Are disabled (broken down).
• Are parked in tow-away or other no-parking zones.
• Block private driveways.
• Are abandoned or threaten public health or safety.
A private property owner can order a public tow if a vehicle
is illegally parked on private property and has been ticketed.
Private tows can be requested by:
• You or someone you authorize, by written agreement
with the tow company
• Your lender (the company that financed your car)
• The vehicle’s driver
What can you expect from the towing company?
The towing business must:
• Be licensed by the Department of Consumer and
Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) -- after DCRA investigates it,
its driving and criminal records, insurance, and surety
bond.
• Follow all towing service license regulations.
• Have a separate license to operate a towing storage lot.
• Give courteous and respectful service, no matter what
your car’s condition; or your race, color, religion, sex,
national origin, marital status, personal appearance,
familial status, matriculation, sexual orientation,
disability, source of income, family responsibilities,
political affiliation, age, or place of residence or
business.
• Post its rate list at its storage facility.
Your rights if your vehicle is towed
Before the tow, the company must give you or the driver:
• The Owner’s Bill of Rights for Towed Vehicles.
• A signed, itemized estimate of services the company
will provide; their costs; the location from which the car
will be towed; and operator’s name, address, and
vehicle owner.
If you see your vehicle being towed, you can:
• Ask to stop the tow. (If the official who ordered the tow
agrees, you must pay the operator a $50 drop fee.)
After the tow, you have the right to:
• Get an itemized statement of actual charges.
• Get the name and account number of the towing company’s
insurance carrier. (The towing company is responsible for any
damage from a public tow.)
• Get a receipt, copy of the ticket or legal authority to tow the
car, DPW towing control number, and the Owner’s Bill of
Rights.
• Pay by cash; insurance draft; money order; bank or certified
check; or credit card (at least 2 nationally-known).
• Inspect your vehicle at the storage facility; however you
cannot remove any personal property from the vehicle without
authorization of the tow company.
• Have no repairs made to your vehicle unless you authorize
them in writing.
• Have the vehicle released to you, when you prove your
identity and ownership and pay all charges.
How much can a towing company charge for a public tow?
Standard: vehicles under 8,000 lbs
No more than..
Preparation, hoist, tow to a place in DC
$100 per tow
Heavy-duty: vehicles over 8,000 lbs
No more than..
Preparation, hoist, tow to a place in DC
$275 per tow
Services
No more than..
Road service
$50 per visit
Disconnect (drop) fee
$50
Storage fee*
$20 per day
Extra Charges (for accident sites or
other special
situations)
Operator may collect -- but
get
DCRA approval within
72 hours
* Daily storage fees start when the vehicle gets to the storage lot.
What if you’re towed for not paying tickets?
Pay online at dmv.dc.gov; by mail, to the address on the ticket;
or at DMV Adjudication Services, 95 M St SW. Take proof of
payment to the tow lot to claim your car. You may also have to
pay towing and storage fees.
If an agency ordered a public tow of your car, how
can you find it?
Call DC’s Towing Control Dispatcher: (202) 541-6078.
Where can you complain about a towing company?
Vincent C. Gray
Mayor, Government of the District of Columbia
Nicholas A. Majett
Director, Department of Consumer and
Regulatory Affairs
http://dcra.dc.gov
