If your car was towed by LAPD or the LA County Sheriff, every day you wait costs you money. Storage fees run $66–$80 per day and start accruing immediately — including weekends and holidays. Here’s exactly what to do.
Step 1: Find Your Car
Towed by LAPD or LADOT (City of Los Angeles)
All LAPD and LADOT tows go to one of 18 Official Police Garages (OPGs). Look yours up immediately:
- Online: opglaviic.com — enter your license plate or VIN (free)
- By phone: Call 311 (or 213-473-3231 from outside LA)
- In person: Contact the LAPD station that ordered the tow
Towed by LA County Sheriff (LASD)
LASD doesn’t use a central impound system. Each of the 23 sheriff’s stations contracts with its own private tow company. Call the specific station that ordered the tow — they’ll tell you exactly which company has your car and where it’s located. Find station numbers at lasd.org/stations.
Other Agencies
- LAX Airport Police: Uses Bruffy’s Del Rey Tow — (323) 870-7544
- California Highway Patrol (CHP): Call the CHP office that ordered the tow
- Port of LA Police: (310) 732-3700
Step 2: Check for a Police Hold (Do This Before Going to the Lot)
There are two types of impounds:
- Stored vehicle (no hold): Can be released immediately once you pay and show documents.
- Impounded vehicle (hold): Used for evidence, criminal investigations, 30-day unlicensed driver holds, or asset forfeiture. You cannot get the car released until the impounding agency signs off.
If there’s a hold, contact LAPD at the station listed on your tow notice (use the DR number) or your LASD station. Get written authorization — LASD issues a “Release of Vehicle Hold” form (SH-CR-94) before the lot will release it.
Step 3: Gather Your Documents
Bring originals — copies are often not accepted.
- Proof of ownership (one of these): current vehicle registration, certificate of title (pink slip), or notarized bill of sale with lienholder release
- Photo ID: California driver’s license, CA ID card, or passport
- Valid driver’s license if you’re driving the vehicle away
- Written authorization letter if someone else is picking up on your behalf — must include their name, DL number, and vehicle details
In some cases you may also need proof of insurance or a court order. Call the lot ahead of time to confirm exactly what they require.
Step 4: Pay and Pick Up
All fees are paid directly at the tow/storage lot — no city or county office collects storage fees. Most accept cash, credit, and debit. Some lots offer a small discount for cash.
Typical 2026 Fee Ranges
| Fee Type | LAPD City OPGs | LASD Stations |
|---|---|---|
| Administrative / release fee | ~$115 | $93–$220 depending on hold type |
| Tow fee | $215–$300+ | Varies by contractor |
| Daily storage | $66–$80+ per day | Varies by contractor |
| After-hours gate fee | $50–$100 extra | Varies |
Business hours: Most lot offices are open 8 a.m.–5 p.m. weekdays, with limited Saturday hours. Storage access is typically 24/7 but you’ll pay an after-hours gate fee for off-hours releases. Arrive early.
All 18 Official Police Garages (LAPD Tows)
If your car was towed by LAPD, it went to one of these 18 lots. The VIIC website (opglaviic.com) will tell you which one.
| Garage | Address | Phone | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| Absolute Towing – Hollenbeck | 4760 Valley Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90032 | (323) 225-9294 | 4 |
| Al’s Towing | 6180 St. Andrews Place, Los Angeles, CA 90047 | (323) 778-4903 | 12 |
| Archer’s Vineland Service | 12565 Strathern St., North Hollywood, CA 91605 | (818) 982-1464 | 15 |
| ATS & Northeast Tow | 2010 N. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, CA 90065 | (323) 342-0342 | 11 |
| Black & White Towing | 10857 San Fernando Rd., Pacoima, CA 91331 | (818) 896-9511 | 16 & 19 |
| Bruffy’s Del Rey Tow | 4140 Glencoe Ave, Marina del Rey, CA 90292 | (323) 870-7544 | 14 / LAX |
| Hollywood Tow Service | 1015 N. Mansfield Ave, Hollywood, CA 90038 | (323) 466-8583 | 6 |
| Howard Sommers Towing | 7891 Deering Ave, Canoga Park, CA 91304 | (818) 884-5600 | 10 |
| Kellmark Tow Service | 620 E. 111th Place, Los Angeles, CA 90059 | (323) 779-3202 | 18 |
| Keystone Towing / United Road | 7817 Woodley Ave, Van Nuys, CA 91406 | (818) 782-1996 | 9 |
| Quick Silver Towing | 5875 Rodeo Road, Los Angeles, CA 90016 | (310) 478-1201 | 8 |
| Ross Baker Towing | 8750 Vanalden Ave, Northridge, CA 91324 | (818) 886-7411 | 17 |
| S & J Wilshire Tow | 2400 W. Washington Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90018 | (323) 734-3137 | 7 |
| Seventh Street Garage | 1615 E. Mauretania St., Wilmington, CA 90744 | (310) 856-1980 | 5 |
| Swanney & McDonald | 241 W. 23rd St., Los Angeles, CA 90007 | (213) 748-7151 | 3 |
| USA Tow (US Tow) | 2119 E. 25th St., Los Angeles, CA 90058 | (213) 749-7100 | 13 |
| Viertel’s Central Division | 500 N. Center St., Los Angeles, CA 90012 | (213) 687-1003 | 1 |
| Viertel’s Rampart Division | 1155 W. Temple St., Los Angeles, CA 90012 | (213) 250-0143 | 2 |
Heavy-duty vehicles (trucks, RVs): Pepe’s Towing Wilmington (Area 31) — contact via opglaviic.com.
Step 5: Dispute the Tow (If You Believe It Was Wrongful)
Under California Vehicle Code §22852, you have the right to a post-storage hearing to challenge whether the tow was legal.
- Deadline: Request your hearing within 10 days of receiving notice of the impound
- How to request: Call, mail, or go in person to the impounding station
- If you win: Vehicle is released free of charge, or you get a full refund if you already paid
- LAPD: Impound Hearing Officer at the division station
- LASD: Watch commander or designated hearing officer at the station
Note: Winning the hearing does not dismiss any citations or criminal charges — it only addresses whether the tow itself was justified.
30-Day Impounds (Unlicensed or Suspended Driver)
If your vehicle was impounded because the driver had a suspended or unlicensed license, it is typically held for 30 days under CVC §14602.6. Early release may be possible through an administrative review if you can show current registration, a valid licensed driver, and no disqualifying prior impounds. Request this review immediately through the impounding station.
Booted Vehicle? Different Process
If your vehicle was booted (not towed), the release process is separate. LADOT boots are removed by PayLock — call (855) 288-2642 and pay the $150 boot removal fee plus any outstanding parking citations.
Quick Reference
- Find LAPD-towed vehicle: opglaviic.com or call 311
- LASD station directory: lasd.org/stations
- Boot removal: PayLock (855) 288-2642
- California Vehicle Code reference: CVC §§22651, 22852, 14602.6
- Official Police Garage Association: opgla.com
