California Towing Laws

There is nothing worse than coming back to your car, only to discover that it had just been towed away. There are a few scenarios to keep in mind, when you leave your vehicle unattended to, while you go shopping, or enjoy your day. California has a set of laws that are a bit different than the other states, and by knowing these laws, you can prevent your vehicle from getting towed away next time. Here are a few of the California Towing Laws:

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.

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.

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.

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.

Who Can I Call In Case of An Emergency?

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.