1. Private Property Laws
In the state of California, it is legal for a private property owner to have a vehicle towed on his or her property without asking for permission from the state or police. This law is self explanatory, but in the case of the homeowner, they would have to wait 24 hours before informing the police that they would like to tow your vehicle away.
2. Posting Laws
In public areas, signs must be posted in order for towing companies to legally tow your car away. These signs must be visible and measure at least 17 by 22 inches. Beware of any towing company committing an action known as “predatory towing”. This means that the towing company is making a few extra bucks at your expense, by attempting to tow away vehicle for a profit. This action is illegal, and should be reported to the police right away.
3. Driver Presence
California law requires the tow company to immediately and unconditionally release a vehicle if the driver arrives prior to it being towed from the private property and in transit. The reason behind this is to avoid violent confrontations between the vehicle owner and the tow truck operator.
4. Fee Restrictions
California state law also prohibits towing companies from charging more than one day’s worth of storage costs for a vehicle, provided that the vehicle is reclaimed within 24 hours of the initial towing. If you find that you are being charged more than the standard amount of keeping your vehicle in storage, report the company to the police right away. You should never pay more than the standard fee, until you come to claim your vehicle.
5. Holiday Parking Restrictions
Certain holidays and other times of the day, are generally allowed for parking, while others are not. This means that a zone can be a tow-away zone at certain times and not at others. Always make sure to pay extra close attention to each sign, before leaving your vehicle unattended to.
6. Find a San Diego Tow Company You Can Trust
Now that you have a better scope of the California Towing Laws, it’s always best to have the information of the right towing company that can assist you, 24/7. At Green Towing Long Beach, we work 24 hours a day, round the clock. We’re an honest and reliable towing company that is fully accredited, licensed and insured. Our main responsibility is your safety, and ensuring that your vehicle is properly taken care of as well. Whether you’re stuck on the road, or need emergency assistance, we’ll be there to help you out. Give us a call today for more information.
Towing laws vary from state to state, and as a result, drivers sometimes fall prey to what is called “predatory towing.” This happens when a legally- or illegally – parked vehicle is towed by a towing company unaffiliated with the parking lot. This is done in order to charge high fees from the owner. While Such cases can go on completely unregulated in certain states, this is not the case in California so remember these rules and restrictions.
