So picture this. You step out of the coffee shop, hands full of lattes, pastries, and that one oat milk macchiato your friend insisted on. You stroll to the curb where you definitely parked that rental car. And then… nothing.
Empty space. No car. Just an ominous sign you maybe skimmed earlier and a growing pit in your stomach.
Welcome to the “wait... what happens if a rental car gets towed?” spiral.
Deep breath. First of all, you’re not the first person this has happened to—and you definitely won’t be the last. Rental cars get towed for all kinds of reasons: expired meters, sneaky no-parking signs, street cleaning, or just plain bad luck.
But here's the good news: you can fix it. You might even get through it without crying (though we totally support a dramatic sigh or two).
Let’s walk through exactly what to do if your rental car gets towed, how to handle the rental agency, and how to avoid this mess next time. Spoiler: it involves reading signs and possibly talking to someone named “Gary from Dispatch.”
We know—your gut reaction is to panic. The car’s gone. It’s not your car. You’re in a strange city with an Uber budget of zero.
But before you spiral, run through a few possibilities:
Start by checking the area for any car towing signs. Look up. Look around. Cities love to hide “no parking between 2 a.m.–6 a.m. on Tuesdays” signs like it's a scavenger hunt.
If you spot one, you’ve probably solved the mystery.
Every city has a system for this—some more organized than others.
Type “[your city] + towed vehicle lookup” into your phone. Most cities have an online tool or a phone number you can call to see if your car was impounded.
You’ll need:
If it was towed, they’ll tell you which impound lot it’s in, what it’ll cost to release, and what you need to bring. Spoiler: ID and rental paperwork are usually required. No, your coffee shop punch card won’t help.
Okay, so you’ve found the car. You know where it is. Now it’s time for the slightly awkward part—calling the rental agency to say, “Hey, soooo… if a rental car gets towed, what do I do?”
Be honest. Be calm. They’ve dealt with this before. No judgment—just info.
Most rental companies will:
In some cases, they might retrieve the car themselves. But unless you’re in a major city or a high-end rental service, that’s rare. More often than not, it’s your job to go get it.
Impound lots are… an experience. There’s always a plexiglass window, fluorescent lighting, and at least one person in line yelling about “my taxes pay your salary!”
Here’s what you’ll likely need:
Fees vary, but you’re probably looking at $150–$400 depending on the city, how long it’s been there, and how generous the fee schedule is feeling.
Keep your receipt. The rental company may ask for it later.
Read More: Self-Drive Car Rental Guide: Best Tips for Booking & Driving
Once you’ve paid up and reclaimed your ride, you’re good to go—but there might still be follow-up.
Here’s what to expect:
It’s annoying, but usually not life-ruining. Just mildly humiliating and expensive. Like adulting, basically.
Tempting, but not a good move.
If you don’t handle the situation—like if you just call the rental company and say “IDK where it went”—they’ll still find it. They’ll also:
That escalated quickly, right?
Moral of the story: own it, fix it, and try not to let it ruin your day. You’ve got better things to do (like actually enjoying your trip).
Hey, it happens. Rarely, but it does.
If you truly think the car wasn’t towed—no signs, no info from the city—and you didn’t authorize anyone to move it, call:
Most rental agreements have coverage for theft, but you’ll need that police report. Pro tip: don't say it was stolen unless you're sure. If they later find it was towed, it can get messy (and expensive).
We’re all about prevention over panic. Here are a few tips to avoid the “where’s my car” drama next time:
Also, keep a digital copy of your rental agreement and license. Impound lots love paperwork—and Wifi isn’t always reliable.
Before spiraling, remember: towed doesn’t mean stolen. Rental cars are often removed for minor infractions like street cleaning or expired meters. A quick call to local authorities usually solves the mystery. Stay calm, gather info, and start tracking—it’s frustrating, but totally fixable (and more common than you'd think).
Not right now, maybe not even tomorrow. But someday, this’ll be one of those “remember when the car got towed and we had to navigate a weird industrial lot in flip-flops?” stories.
It’s frustrating. It’s stressful. But it’s also fixable. And once it’s over, it’s just a slightly ridiculous memory filed under “stuff I survived.”
Get the car. Shake it off. Grab a snack. You’ve earned it.
Read More: Renting a Car for a Road Trip: Costs, Benefits & Tips
What happens if a rental car gets towed? A headache, yes—but not the end of the world. Track down the car, contact the local tow authority and rental company, pay the fees, and move on. If it ever happens again, you’ll be ready. You’ve got this. (Just maybe double-check that parking sign next time.)
This content was created by AI