top of page

When will the towing laws apply in California?

Towing laws are one of the various types of laws that international students are not familiar with. Even if towing laws appear in some countries, they are not as subdivided as the U.S. Having a certain understanding of towing laws in California will help you to save money, time and effort if you plan to drive in California.

​

Unlike other states in the U.S., some parts of towing laws of California are related to property laws. A private owner, such as a household, has the right to tow a vehicle that parks on his or her property without informing or asking permission from city police departments. In other words, if someone parked his car on his neighbor's parking lots; his neighbor, the individual could legally call the Department of Transport-responsible for towing vehicles away- at any time without informing anyone. 

​

The exception would be the vehicles that have been destroyed and couldn't function properly. Couldn't function properly could be described as a car that lost its engines (couldn't start the engine), lost wheels, seats stolen, and so on. If a vehicle that qualified one of these criteria that described previously and the vehicle was parked on other's property; "the owner must wait for 24 hours before informing the police of his or her intent to tow the car away." 

​

Towing-Property law is not the only aspect that associates with the towing law, towing-post law is another law that is relevant to towing law which we will talk about in the future.

 

Read More: 

California Towing Law Review

97fe510d7ef0590c1ac2a6d7286d7dfb.jpg
bottom of page