Towed from private property in New Jersey: your rights
New Jersey's Predatory Towing Prevention Act sets rules for towing cars from private property without the owner's consent. If your car was towed from a lot, find the company on the posted sign, bring your documents, get an itemized bill, and file a complaint with the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs if something looks wrong.
The short answer
New Jersey's Predatory Towing Prevention Act sets rules for towing cars from private property without the owner's consent. If your car was towed from a lot, find the company on the posted sign, bring your documents, get an itemized bill, and file a complaint with the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs if something looks wrong.
Stuck right now? Skip the reading and call.
Call nowFirst, confirm it was towed, not stolen
If your car is missing from a store lot, an apartment complex, an office park or any other private lot, look for signs at the entrances. Lots that tow unauthorized cars generally post signs naming the towing company and how to reach it. Call that number first. If there is no sign or nobody answers, call the local police department's non-emergency line. Towing companies are expected to notify police of non-consensual tows, so the department can often tell you who has the car. If nobody has a record of a tow, report it stolen.
One call, one flat quote, 24/7.
Call nowWhat the law is about
New Jersey's Predatory Towing Prevention Act was passed to stop abusive towing of cars from private property and other non-consensual tows. It sets rules for these tows, including requirements around signage, what towers may charge, and access to your vehicle and belongings. The New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs enforces it and accepts complaints from drivers.
The exact rules and fee limits are written in state law and regulation and can change, so we do not quote them here. If you believe you were charged for something improper, the Division of Consumer Affairs is the place to ask.
One call, one flat quote, 24/7.
Call nowGetting the car back
Call the yard and ask for the total, the hours, and what documents they need. Bring your driver's license, registration and insurance card. Ask what forms of payment they accept before you go.
At the yard, ask for an itemized bill showing each charge. Walk around the car before you pay and photograph any damage you did not have before. Keep every receipt and note the date and time of each call. If you find damage or a charge you dispute, write it down at the yard and get the attendant's name.
One call, one flat quote, 24/7.
Call nowIf you catch the tow in progress, and how to avoid one
If you return to your car while it is being hooked, stay calm and ask the driver what it would take to release it there. Stay clear of the truck and the vehicle; never get into a car on a tow truck or step between the truck and the car. Ask for the name of the company, the location of the yard and an explanation of any charge. Write down the truck number and plate, and photograph the scene and any signs.
Do not argue at length or try to stop the tow physically. If the driver will not release the car and you believe the tow is improper, let it go, get the details, and handle it through the yard and the Division of Consumer Affairs. If the situation becomes heated, call the local police.
Read the signs before you leave the car in a store lot, an apartment complex or a building lot. Many lots allow parking only for customers while they are on site, for residents with permits, or during certain hours. Park in a marked space, display any required permit, and do not leave the car in a lot after the business closes unless the sign says you may. Guest spots at apartment complexes often have time limits that are enforced.
One call, one flat quote, 24/7.
Call nowIf something seems wrong
Act quickly but carefully. Storage charges usually accrue daily, so every day the car sits in the yard adds to the bill, and some disputes are easier to resolve while the details are fresh. Pay what is needed to get your car back if you must, keep the receipt, and dispute the charges afterward through the proper channel rather than leaving the car in the yard while you argue.
Common complaints include no visible signage, charges that were not itemized, refusal to accept reasonable payment, refusal to let you get personal items from the car, and damage during the tow. If any of these happened, file a complaint with the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs and include your photos, receipts and timeline. The more specific the record, the more useful the complaint.
One call, one flat quote, 24/7.
Call nowWhere we fit in
We do not do private-property towing. We are never the company that hooks a car from a lot without the owner's consent, and we do not run a storage yard. What we can do is help after the car is released. If it was damaged, will not start, or you simply want it taken to your mechanic instead of driving it, call (908) 444-0129 and we tow it from the yard to the destination you choose, at a flat hook fee plus a per-mile rate quoted on the call.
If the car will not start after sitting in a yard, a jump start may be all it needs. For anything else, see local towing, and for more answers browse our towing questions.
One call, one flat quote, 24/7.
Call nowMore on towing rules & pricing
Keep reading, or go back to every post on the blog.
- Flatbed vs wheel-lift towing: which does your car need?
- What happens to your car after a police-ordered tow in New Jersey
- Towing pricing red flags in New Jersey
- Local tow company vs national roadside network: who actually shows up?
- Moving a car long distance from New Jersey: towing vs car carrier
- Tip #34: Choose the destination before the truck arrives: home, shop or dealer
- Tip #35: Ask the destination about storage charges before you pick it
- Tip #38: Always get an itemized receipt for a tow or roadside job
- All posts
Questions drivers ask about this
Short answers.
Who regulates private property towing in New Jersey?
The Predatory Towing Prevention Act sets the rules, and the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs enforces it and takes complaints from drivers.
How do I find my car after it was towed from a lot?
Check the signs at the lot's entrances for the towing company's name and number. If that fails, call the local police non-emergency line.
Do you tow cars from private lots?
No. We do not do private-property or impound towing. Once your car is released, we can tow it from the yard to the place you choose.
Ask the dispatcher anything.
Call nowNeed towing and roadside assistance right now? One call, truck on the way.
Real dispatcher, 24 hours a day. Quoted price before we roll.