Towing Issues: Towing problems, vehicle license plates, state dmv

Question
My SUV was towed I had no knowledge of it I was in another State. The towing company told me they towed the car to the police station someone retrieved the SUV and it wasn't me, now as I try to renew my tag the towing company has a block on the tag so I could not get it, they said they where never paid for this Please help I don't understand don't you have to pay before getting a car out of tow or better yet when you recover it from the police station. Atlanta, Georgia

Answer
This seems strange, the "GENERAL PRACTICE" for releasing vehicles is that they are released to the registered - legal owner - or designated agent in writing.

In plain language I am not supposed to be able to get your vehicle back if I do not own it or show that I have that right in writing (this works mainly on Rentals)

Now as to the tag block, it is usually what is happening when vehicles are being towed under police orders. Now if the tow company does not get paid (ie  credit card dispute, bad check or the vehicle is abandoned in the tow yard) that some laws allow for the tow company to file with the state DMV and restrict the renewal of either or both of your vehicle license plates or drivers licenses.

Yes, you do have to pay for your vehicle to be redeemed but there again the chance of non payment or bad payment are good, and that does not include if someone snuck in and took the vehicle without paying.

It does sound as if the police department did have some kind of mistake happen if they let it go without the tow company being paid. We do that kind of stuff here in Alabama and we collect from the customer and then give then a receipt to show the police it has been paid. But we get copy of a release paper first to show that the person can pick up the vehicle after paying us for the services. Yes that is usually 2 trips to the police department on the vehicle owners part.


Hope this helps but check with DMV and find out who placed the hold, and then talk to the police and the tow company and determine who and what really happened.