Article · NYC311

To find out how to have your car towed or what to do if your car is ever towed, you can request a Towing Services Guide about towing in New York City.

The Guide describes your rights when dealing with:

Licensed towing services for accidents and breakdowns
Licensed towing services for tows from private property, including shopping plazas
Tow programs, including the Directed Accident Response Program (DARP) and Rotation Tow Program (ROTOW)
Who to contact if your car is towed

Online

Get the Towing Services Guide.

Get information about a towed vehicle.

By Mail

Call 311 to request a paper copy.

If you plan on using a tow truck company, you should:

Use only licensed towing companies
Look for the Consumer and Worker Protection (or Consumer Affairs) license medallion (small metal plate located on the driver's side of the vehicle)
Know legal towing rates in advance to avoid surprises
Make sure the company provides an Authorization to Tow form or towing bill receipt that includes the company's name, address, phone number, Consumer and Worker Protection license number, and legal tow rates

Towing Guide

Tips for Using a Towing Service