Towing Issues: towing, storage charges, expired registration

Question
QUESTION: Last night my GF's car was towed from a gas station for no ins and reg. I'm not sure how they knew but they pulled in behind her at the station after she was there for about ten minutes. Today we find out the towing charge (for a flatbead to get an escort) was $174 for just the towing of which was less than a half mile. Did they have the right to investigate/tow from private property? Also that fee is very high and I think it is a scam, what do you think and what can we do? Also we were told we could pay towing and have AAA tow the car home but I saw a law that says it can't leave impound without registration/insurance? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

ANSWER: I need to know what state you are in. Did they issue her a citation? Yes they can release a vehicle without proof of insurance as long as it is towed to a residence, shop etc. As for the fees I wouldn't know without knowing what state you are in. Some states have regulations on how much towing companies can charge.

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QUESTION: Thank you Chris. We live in Lancaster NY which is basically Buffalo NY, Erie county. That is interesting what you say. The cop said we could tow to a residence from the towing place but not from the gas station and AAA said they will not tow from impound and the towing place said no. She did get tickets for the registration and insurance. Thing is by the time we get the DMV taken care of we will not be able to afford the towing plus storage charges. We would like to just get the car home especially since it is like 200 yards from there already. Any advice would be great! Thanks again!

Answer
Was your girlfriend in the vehicle when she was cited since they pulled it off private property. They probably will say they observed her driving down the road, which they may have. Did they say what the probable cause was for the traffic stop because they can't just stop a vehicle for no reason. This would make the tow illegal. If they stopped her for expired registration that is OK but if they just pulled in and saw it they would have to wait until she pulled back out. Is there anyone else on the title to the vehicle?