Zoombak ™
What to Do If Your Car Gets Towed
Written By Sabah Karimi
When you leave
your car behind after a breakdown on the motorway, park in the wrong
car park, or even forget to plug a parking meter, the city can tow your
car away to a designated lot. Sometimes it's not clear what the policy
is, but if there are no signs about clamping along the roadside there's
a good chance your car will be towed when you break local rules.
Having your car towed can put a dent in your pocket book - and your
schedule - because you'll have to pay a fee to release it from the
pound and end up waiting hours until the paperwork is complete. If your
car ends up getting towed, here's what you need to do:
1. Call the police. The
first thing you need to do when your car gets towed is to call the
police and find out which pound it's been taken to. The police are
always notified when a car is legally towed away, so they will tell you
where to go next and reclaim your vehicle.
2. Call a friend or family member.
If there is someone close by who can take you to the pound, you'll need
to catch a lift. If not, you'll need a taxi to take you to your next
destination.
3. Get to the pound as soon as possible.
Some pounds charge fees for every day that the car is left there, so
you can avoid the extra charges by getting there as quickly as
possible. This also reduces the risk of damage to the car (see No. 7).
4. Take your checkbook and vehicle registration information to the pound.
You'll need to verify your identity with a driver's licence and proof
of registration when you find the pound. If you've been charged a fine,
you'll need to pay it with cash or check in order to release the car.
5. Be prepared to stand in a long queue.
The pound is usually fairly busy so prepare to stand in a queue for an
hour or two. If you're lucky, you'll be in and out in under an hour but
it's best to plan ahead if you have a full schedule ahead of you.
6. Complete all necessary paperwork at the pound and pay the fees.
Make sure the authorities have signed and stamped all paperwork after
verifying your identity. Take a receipt for your payment and keep a
copy of the paperwork signed by both parties.
7. Check your car for damages.
When the car gets taken to the pound, it is at the mercy of other
drivers and handlers, as well as the tow truck. Do a good inspection of
your vehicle to determine if there are any scratches, dents or chips
that happened during the movement. If there are, you will need to file
a special form with the insurance company.
8. Drive the car off the lot. After
you have paid the fees and completed necessary paperwork, the car is
now back in your possession. Carefully drive off the lot and take it
home!
In some cases, your car won't get booted for violating
the rules, but will be clamped instead. You can find several road signs
indicating whether clamping is part of the policy of parking in a
particular place, or whether a strict towing policy is enforced. Just
make sure you look for these signs when you're parking your vehicle so
you don't become the next unfortunate driver who ends up spending time
and money at the local pound. If your car does get towed on that next
trip, follow these important guidelines to track down your automobile
and get it back on the road.