PSA: Towing Pricing Regulations

By BoroPark24 Staff

The last few weeks have seen an uptick in cars getting towed around Brooklyn. Besides the headache of dealing with a towed car, some towing companies may take advantage of customers and charging inflated rates. Some have been known to sometimes give tow receipts with fake business names or addresses. 

Many customers are unaware that towing companies have regulations regarding their pricing and are legally not allowed to overcharge customers. Below are the amounts that tow companies are allowed to charge for their services:

DARP (Directed Accident Towing Program) Towing Rates

- Vehicles registered at 10,000 pounds or less, for tow to storage facility: $125

- Vehicles registered at more than 10,000 pounds: $140

- First three days of storage: $25 per day

- Fourth day of storage and after: $27 per day

- Towing to location other than tower's storage facility: add $4.00 per mile plus tolls

ROTOW (Stolen or abandoned vehicles) Towing Rates:

- Vehicle registered at 10,000 pounds or less: $125

- More than 10,000 pounds: $140

- First three days of storage: $25 per day

- Fourth day and after: $27 per day

Towing rates from private parking lots:

- Towing and three days of storage: $125

- Fourth day of storage and after: $15 per day

- "Drop fee" (for unhooking a car that is about to be towed): $62.50

  

If you’ve been overcharged by a towing company, contact DCA to file a complaint about a private towing or booting company.

To see if a private towing or booting firm is licensed, visit the check license page or call 311.