You can file a complaint about a booting business in New York City.

Booting businesses place wheel locks, also known as boots, on illegally parked motor vehicles to prevent them from being moved until a charge is paid. Businesses must have a Booting Company License to operate in the City.

Booting companies may not charge you more than $25 to remove the wheel lock from a vehicle that has been booted on a private parking lot. If a booted vehicle is towed from a private parking lot, the owner of the vehicle cannot be charged extra for the towing. 

There is no maximum rate for booting on a private street, but those fees must be on file with the City. Rates must be posted on clearly visible signs at all entrances leading to the public street.  

Once you have paid to remove the wheel lock from your vehicle, the company must remove it within 30 minutes.

You can pay booting charges in person by credit card at the location where the vehicle was booted.

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.

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.

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

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

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