Towing in Baltimore City

Retrieving a Vehicle from the Pulaski Highway Impound Facility

To retrieve a vehicle from the Pulaski Highway Impound Facility located at 6700 Pulaski Highway, it is recommended that you come in person during hours of operation or call 410-396-9958. A Representative will be able to provide you with instructions on how to obtain your vehicle or how to retrieve property out of your vehicle. Following the instructions provided by the Representative will speed up the vehicle release process. 

Please follow all instructions carefully to speed up the process. If you'd like to speak to a Call Representative, call 410-396-9958, select option #4 and press 0. This will skip the other messages.

General Information

What is the Towing Division?

The Towing Division manages vehicle towing on all City property. Includes but isn't limited to roads, alleys, and public parking lots. 

Why do we need a Towing Division?

Towing is responsible for removing vehicles in streets or alleys on behalf of the City.  When residents use When residents use 311 to report abandoned or nuisance vehicles to report abandoned or nuisance vehicles, the Towing Division handles the removal of these vehicles from City rights-of-way. Towing may also work to remove vehicles in cases of accidents, police custody, and unpaid tickets.

What are medallion towing companies?

Medallions are third-party vendors of City towing services. Medallions follow the same rules and protocols as City towing crews. Medallions also offer services to the Baltimore Police. As the contract says, the closest medallion tower will respond within 20 minutes of a police call.

Note: Towing companies working for private parties are not accountable to the Towing Division; these companies are regulated by the Baltimore City Board of Licensing for Towing Services.

Why was my vehicle towed?

A vehicle may be towed for the following reasons:

• Blocking traffic/peak lanes
• Parked in violation of posted signs
• Involved in police arrest/towing
• Confirmed to be abandoned
• Overdue parking tickets

Why would the police tow a vehicle?

The Baltimore Police Department acts independently from Transportation and may have medallions tow vehicles under special circumstances. The police may tow a vehicle that is abandoned in a public right-of-way which impedes the flow a traffic; a vehicle that is involved in a criminal investigation; or a stolen vehicle that has been located and confiscated; among other reasons. A full policy on police tows can be found under Policy 902.

Did the city issue a parking ticket before towing my vehicle?

Though tickets are issued before a vehicle is towed, there will be circumstances where a ticket is not issued before or at the time of the towing. In cases of police involvement, accidents, traffic block, or repeated violations, a vehicle may be towed without the need for a ticket. Towing fees may apply.

Locating and Retrieving a Towed Vehicle

How do I find out if my vehicle was towed?

You may check if your vehicle was towed by visiting Find Vehicle or calling 311 within Baltimore City, or call 443-263-2220 outside of Baltimore City. You may also call the Pulaski Highway impound lot at 410-396-9958 from Monday to Saturday, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm (except for Sundays and holidays). You may call the Fallsway location at 410-396-4613 if your vehicle was parked along City gateways during peak travel times. Those times are 7-9 am or 4-6 pm, though posted parking restriction times may vary.

Where do I go if my car has been towed

The addresses and operating hours of Towing's two impounding facilities are listed below. At this time, you must call the phone number below and schedule an appointment to get back your vehicle from the Pulaski facility 

• Pulaski Highway Facility

6700 Pulaski Highway, Baltimore, MD 21237

Hours: Monday through Friday 8:30 am to 5:00 pm and Saturday from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm. Closed Sundays and holidays

Phone: (410) 396-9958

• Fallsway Facility

410 Fallsway, Baltimore, MD 21202

Hours: Monday - Friday 6:00 am-10:00 pm; closed weekends and holidays

Phone: (410) 396-4613

How do I retrieve a towed vehicle?

You will need to provide proof of ownership of the vehicle in the form of a current registration card or title, title receipt, or registration receipt. We also need the owner's valid driver's license, state ID, or passport. If you only own a temporary license or do not have a current Driver's License, please provide any two forms of identification listed below. 

• Notarized birth certificate

• Signed social security card

• Government-issued photo ID

• Current school or work Photo ID

• Voter registration card

If your vehicle is not in good condition upon retrieval, you must cover the cost of removing the vehicle/having the vehicle towed from the impound location. You may arrange for a private towing service to retrieve your vehicle.

How much will it cost to redeem my vehicle?

Towing and storage charges may be paid with all major credit cards. Cash and checks are not accepted. Below is our current towing fees:

Towing:

• Vehicles east of Charles Street: $130
• Vehicles west of Charles Street: $140
• Vehicles with 6-9 wheels: $305
• Vehicles with 10+ wheels: $440

Storage:

• $15/day after 2 days (daily storage fees resume July 22, 2024)
• $30/day for vehicles with 6+ wheels

Other fees:

• Initial storage charge: $50
• Administrative fee: $40

How do I pay for tickets associated with my towed vehicle? 

You should follow the instructions on the violation/citation. You may contact Parking Fines with any questions or concerns regarding your citations. However, all outstanding citations will be included in your vehicle release fee at the impounding facility. If you pay your outstanding citations with Parking Fines while your vehicle is in Towing custody, you will have to wait for your transaction to finalize before your payments are reflected in Towing's records.

We recommend that you pay your citations and other penalties at the Towing facility when retrieving your vehicle. All remaining outstanding tickets will be bundled in your towing release payment, which lowers the likelihood of overpayment.

IMPORTANT - If your vehicle has been impounded, DO NOT pay the citations online or over the phone!

Are there any special conditions for release (such as crimes or MVA flags)?

Vehicles impounded in relation to criminal activity cannot be released until you have contacted the proper agency (such as Baltimore Police). You must present a flag release to retrieve a vehicle flagged by the MVA.

Contesting Tows and Handling Disputes

What happens if I do not retrieve my vehicle?

In accordance with the Maryland Vehicle Law, §25-202, §25-205, and §25-206: The law provides that the City must send notice via certified mail to the last known registered owner and any secured parties within 7 days after taking the vehicle into custody.  If the owner or secured party fails to reclaim the vehicle within 11 working days after receipt of the notice, then the owner or secured party is deemed to have waived all rights, titles, and interests in the vehicle, and to have consented to its sale at public auction.

There is no exception to the law.  The owner is responsible for any related fines and or fees, (such as violations, citations, towing, preservation, or storage fees) resulting from taking or placing the vehicle in custody.  If the vehicle is sold in an auction, the owner may have a flag fee put on other active tags associated with their name if the price of the sale at auction does not cover the outstanding balance with the impound.  If you have an outstanding flag fee, you must pay that before your flag is lifted with MVA.

 

My vehicle was towed mistakenly. How can I contest the fines or fees?

As the owner of an impound vehicle, you are entitled to a hearing to contest the validity of the towing and any associated fees if you were ticketed. 

If you were towed due to a violation of abandoned vehicle, and yous wish to contest the tow, you may request a hearing directly with the Impound facility. You may request a hearing on-site when you redeem your vehicle or visit Parking Fines at:

200 Holiday Street, Baltimore, MD 21202

Note: You must attend the hearing to contest the towing and fees. 

What if I return my vehicle as it is being towed?

Once the vehicle is raised from the location in which it was parked, the vehicle must be towed. For safety reasons, Towing staff is forbidden from engaging in arguments with vehicle owners.

My car was damaged while in Towing custody. How can I file a claim?

If your car was damaged at the Impound, you can file a claim at the Pulaski Facility. You can only file a claim, once your vehicle has been paid for and removed from the lot. You must come into the main building to notify a Towing Representative of any damages before you leave the lot. Claim forms are available at the office by a Towing Representative.

What happens if my vehicle is stolen? Will I have to pay the fees?

Owners of stolen vehicles are NOT required to pay a towing fee, a storage fee, or any other fees to retrieve their stolen vehicle. This includes any citations incurred while the vehicle was stolen or previous citations. 

What if I have citations attached to my stolen release?

Those citations are not required to be paid when retrieving a stolen vehicle. The citations won't just go away. We recommend that you take your stolen police report to the Parking Fines Office so they can abate the citations.

Special Cases and Ownership Transfers

How do I release a vehicle to my insurance company or designated representative?

Call Pulaski Facility at 410-396-9958 or come in person to 6700 Pulaski Highway. A signed release form or notarized release letter giving the Towing Division authority to release a vehicle to the insurance company or designated representative must be provided. The release letter should contain the vehicle's year, make, model, identification, and/or tag number.  A copy of the owner's ID and vehicle title or current registration must also be provided. These documents can be emailed to a Towing agent.

If you are the vehicle owner's insurance company or designated representative, you must present a signed notarized letter containing. The letter must contain the vehicle's year, make, model identification (VIN), and/or tag number. You must also include a copy of the owner's ID and vehicle title or current registration. These documents can be emailed to a Towing Representative.

To retrieve a vehicle as a lienholder, you must complete and submit the following items:

• Affidavit
• Hold harmless letter
• Front and back of the title
• Owner's purchasing contract
• Repossession paper (notarized)

What if the Titles Owner is deceased?

• The Death Certificate
• Original letter of administration issued by the appropriate Register of Wills. Must be dated within the last 60 days, appointing you the Executor of the Deceased's Estate.
• The Baltimore City Register of Will is located at 111 N. Calvet Street, Suite 340, 410-752-5132.

What if the vehicle owner is incarcerated?

You will need authorization on facility letterhead specifically naming you as the agent for the vehicle. The owner's signature must be witnessed and signed by a staff member, or the letter must be notarized. the letter must include the property number, license plate number, and vehicle identification number (VIN). Current registration or title is also required. The form can be emailed to towing.callcenter@baltimorecity.gov

What if the owner is hospitalized?

You will need authorization on hospital stationery specifically naming you as the agent for the vehicle. The letter must be witnessed and signed by the attending physician or head nurse. The letter must include the property number, license plate number, and vehicle identification number (VIN) Current registration or title is also required.

What if the vehicle towed is a company or leased vehicle?

You will need authorization on company letterhead specifically naming you as an agent for the vehicle. The letter must include the property number, license plate number, and vehicle identification number (VIN), and MUST be signed by a manager or higher. A business card of the manager authorizing the letter MUST accompany this form. Current registration or title is also required. Information number is 410-396-9958.

Booting, Seizures, and Special Circumstances

What is a repeated violation vehicle and why are they booted?

Any vehicle on a City roadway with three or more unpaid citations that are all over 30 days old may be booted at any time.  Upon booting, the vehicle owner will have 48 hours to unlock the vehicle before it is towed. However, a vehicle may be towed early for any of the following reasons:

• The vehicle has escaped booting in the past
• The vehicle owes over $1,000 in outstanding fines
• The vehicle is parked improperly or in a restricted area
• The City cannot glue the boot to the vehicle
• The owner is found tampering with the boot

Please note that some fines and fees are assessed by the Parking section. Towing will not be involved with a booted car until the end of the 48-hour period boot period, after which all fines and fees will be consolidated into one bill; this will be due when the owner retrieves their vehicle from the impound

How do I unlock a booted car?

To unlock the boot on your vehicle, you may call the 24/7 PayLock hotline at 877-590-3757 and pay with a credit or debit card; we suggest this, as you will be able to release your boot without assistance.  For more information on PayLock and booted vehicles, refer to the Parking Fines section.

What if my tow was related to a narcotic stop?

Contact Narcotics at 410-396-2616.

What if my tow was related to arson?

Contact the Arson Unit at 410-396-2645.

What if my ATV or Dirt Bike was seized by the police?

The Baltimore City Police have the authority to take a Dirt Bike or ATV if it is being ridden or driven illegally. To get your vehicle back, you need to get permission from the Office of Legal Affairs. Contact the Baltimore City Towing Division in person at 6700 Pulaski Highway or by phone at 410-396-9958 for instructions on how to retrieve your vehicle.

Abandoned Vehicles and Auctions

My car is gone but not in Towing custody; Should I report it stolen?

Your vehicle may have been relocated. Relocations are performed to clear the street for work by various agencies. This may be done in an emergency without an opportunity to notify the public with posted signs. Call 311 within Baltimore City or call 443-263-2220 outside of Baltimore City to confirm before reporting the vehicle stolen.

Your vehicle may have been towed by a private tow truck company if it was involved in an accident. Call 311 or information on your vehicle's storage facility.

How do I report an abandoned vehicle?

A vehicle on public property may be deemed abandoned and towed under certain circumstances. Vehicles that show signs of abandonment (damage to the vehicle, missing parts, missing or expired tags or registration) or parked in the same spot for a 48 hour period may be marked for towing upon inspection by a traffic enforcement officer; residents may request a vehicle be inspected by using 311 via phone or online. Once a vehicle is deemed abandoned, a 48-hour warning will be issued; if the vehicle has not been moved from the location, it will be towed.

How does the vehicle auction process work?

If a vehicle is not picked up within 11 working days after being impounded, it may be sold at a public auction. This rule cannot be changed under any circumstances.

To participate in the auction, first register as a buyer at the Copart website. After registering, you can view the vehicles in person. Vehicles will be sold with a Maryland VR-112 Bill of Sale, unless stated otherwise. You can pay through Copart using Epay, wire transfer, or credit card. Please note, we cannot guarantee the vehicles will run. You must pick up the vehicle within 48 hours of payment (you may need to tow it). The City may reject any bid for any reason, and bids lower than $74.00 will not be accepted.

View Vehicle Auction listings

List of towing-related forms that can be filled out for the issue you are experiencing.