ScottsdaleAZ.Gov

My Vehicle Was Towed...What Do I Do?

If your vehicle was impounded by an officer of the Scottsdale Police Department, please carefully read the information the officer gave you at the time of the impound for instructions.  Even if no driver was present at the time of the tow, please read the section below titled "Why Was My Vehicle Towed?"

Please Note:

1. If your vehicle was impounded by another law enforcement agency, such as the Maricopa County Sheriff's Department or the Department of Public Safety (Highway Patrol), you must contact that agency directly for assistance.
       
   - Maricopa County Sheriff's Office:  (602) 876-1000
   - Department of Public Safety (DPS):  (602) 223-2000
      
2. If your vehicle was impounded as evidence of a crime, please contact the Scottsdale Police Detective Unit handling your case for additional information.     (480) 312-5000

There are only two reasons your vehicle would have been towed.  The first is Arizona Revised Statute (ARS) 28-872, and the second is ARS 28-3511.

• If the driver of the vehicle was present, the police officer gave the driver a form called the "Vehicle Impound Report."  Read both sides of the form carefully and completely. If this does not answer your questions, the information on this site should be able to assist you.  If the driver was not present, it was mailed to the registered owners and any lien holder.
     
• If no driver was present, such as an abandoned vehicle, the vehicle was involved in a collision, and the driver was unable to care for the vehicle and in certain incidents where the driver is arrested, the vehicle may have been towed under ARS 28-872. If your vehicle was towed pursuant to this statute no hearing is required. Please read the section below under ARS 28-872.
      
• There are other circumstances where the driver was arrested, and the vehicle will be towed pursuant to ARS 28-3511. If your vehicle was towed pursuant to this statute, a hearing is required before the vehicle will be released to anyone, including the lien holder. Please read the section below under ARS 28-3511.

ARS 28-872 (view complete text)

If the box next to ARS 28-872 is checked on the "Vehicle Impound Report" (the document given to the driver), the vehicle was towed by authority of the Scottsdale Police Department because it was abandoned, or it was a public safety risk where it was parked, the driver was arrested, the vehicle was reported stolen, or it was involved in a collision and the driver was incapacitated or otherwise unable to provide for the custody or removal of the vehicle.

• The vehicle owner or authorized representative may claim this vehicle at any time (see "Claiming Your Vehicle") from the towing company named on the front of the Vehicle Impound Report.  
     
• You do not need to come to the police department or request a hearing.  You may request a hearing if you wish to try and refute the reason for the tow.  
  
• You must show the towing company photo identification and proof of ownership in order for this vehicle to be released to you.  
     
• The owner of the vehicle is liable for all towing fees and storage charges.  These fees and chargers are set by a contract between the towing company and the police department.
  • View the current fee schedule
       
• If the vehicle is unclaimed for more than ten (10) days, under Arizona law the towing company may file for an abandoned title and seek ownership of this vehicle.  Contact the towing company named on the front of the Vehicle Impound Report if you have any questions about claiming your vehicle.
     
• You may Request a Hearing to refute the officer's legal reason to tow your vehicle.

ARS 28-3511 (view complete text)

If the box next to ARS 28-3511 is checked on the Vehicle Impound Report (the document given to the driver), the Scottsdale Police Department has impounded the vehicle for a period of thirty (30) days pursuant to the provisions of Arizona Revised Statute 28-3511.

The reason for the impoundment is because the driver, at the time of the traffic stop or collision, did not have a driver's license or record of a driver's license, had a revoked/suspended/canceled driver's license, was under the age of 21 years with alcohol in his/her body, was arrested for Extreme or Aggravated DUI, or was required to be operating a vehicle with an interlock device.  This mandatory impound law applies to the vehicle the offender was driving, even if the driver is not the owner.  This mandatory impoundment is also separate from any criminal charges filed against the driver.