If you plan on using a tow truck company, you should:

  • Use only licensed towing companies. Look for the Consumer Affairs license medallion (small metal plate located on the driver's side of the vehicle).
  • Know legal towing rates in advance to avoid surprises.
  • Only sign Authorization to Tow forms or towing bill receipts that are issued by a licensed towing firm. Make sure the company's name, address, phone number, and Consumer Affairs license number are listed, along with legal tow rates.

You can file a complaint about tow truck drivers and businesses that provide towing services, including companies operating without a valid license. 

A towing company requires a license if the company moves or removes disabled, illegally parked, or abandoned motor vehicles or vehicles involved in accidents by another motor vehicle. 

The City also accepts tow truck driver and business complaints from rental car companies.

Call 311 for assistance.

What Happens Next

If you provide an email address with your Service Request, you will receive a notification by email. You may also be emailed a complaint form, which you must complete and return. Be sure to check your spam folder in addition to your inbox.

You can complaint about tow truck drivers and businesses that provide towing services on New York City highways.

Call 311 for assistance by phone.

The Department of Consumer Affairs does not accept reports of rude employee behavior. You should report this type of complaint to the business.

For reports of discrimination, go to the Discrimination page.

Directed Accident Response Program (DARP)

Towing rates for participating companies are:

  • $125 for tow to storage facility (vehicles weighing less than 10,000 pounds)
  • $140 for tow to storage facility (vehicles weighing more than 10,000 pounds)
  • $25 per day for first 3 days of storage
  • $27 for each day of storage thereafter
  • $4 per mile plus tolls for towing to a location other than the tower's storage facility

Additional charges may apply.

Private Property Towing Rates

Maximum rates for towing vehicles off private parking lots are:

  • $125 for towing and 3 days of storage
  • $15 for each day of storage thereafter

Towing companies are required by law to accept at least two major credit cards.

Rotation Tow Program (ROTOW)

The Rotation Tow Program sets rates for participating companies that tow vehicles which have been abandoned or reported lost or stolen.

ROTOW rates are:

  • $125 for tow (vehicle weighing less than 10,000 pounds)
  • $140 for tow (vehicle weighing more than 10,000 pounds)
  • $25 per day for first 3 days of storage
  • $27 for each day of storage thereafter

Highway Towing Rates

Maximum rates and charges for towing passenger vehicles off of highways are:

  • $70 for the first mile within the City of New York.
  • $4 for each additional mile within the City of New York.
  • All tolls must be paid while the vehicle is being towed.
  • The maximum rates for storage are $15 for each calendar day for the first three days of storage and $17 for the fourth calendar day of storage and each calendar day after that. The calendar day the vehicle is towed is counted as day 1.

The New York City Department of Consumer Affairs can help you with complaints about businesses in New York City. For complaints about businesses elsewhere, contact the local Consumer Affairs office or the State Attorney General's office.

Online

Learn how to file a complaint for a business outside of NYC.

By Phone

  • Agency: Suffolk County Consumer Affairs
  • Phone Number: (631) 231-2400
  • Business Hours: Monday - Friday: 9 AM - 5 PM

  • Agency: Westchester County Department of Consumer Protection
  • Phone Number: (914) 995-2155
  • Business Hours: Monday - Friday: 9 AM - 5 PM

  • Agency: Nassau County Consumer Affairs
  • Phone Number: (516) 571-2449
  • Business Hours: Monday - Friday: 9 AM - 5 PM

  • Agency: New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs
  • Phone Number: (973) 504-6200
  • Business Hours: Monday - Friday: 9 AM - 5 PM

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