What to Do if Your Car Is Towed in Minneapolis
There are a variety of reasons why your car could get towed in Minneapolis. Like any city, there are the standard reasons including parking violation, police order, if it blocks street maintenance, if it’s abandoned, or if it’s a threat to public safety. But since the Twin Cities are known for their ultra-cold winters, there’s another big reason in Minneapolis for towing: snow emergencies.
Whatever reason your car got towed, here’s what you should do if it happens to you.
Check The City’s Online Site
The City of Minneapolis has an online impound lot search that makes it easy to find your car 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You’ll need your VIN or License Plate Number to use the system. If your only record of those was the registration in your glove box, then check your extra copy of your auto insurance. It’s usually on there.
Call the Impound Lot
You can also call the central impound lot. They have a direct number (612-673-3000) or you can call 311 to get the information. The lot itself is located at:
51 Colfax Avenue N
Minneapolis, MN 55405
Mailed Notice
The City of Minneapolis is required to send you a mailed notice within 72 hours of towing your vehicle. For there, you have 15 days to claim it before it may be sold at auction.
What You Need to Get Your Vehicle Back
The impound lot can only release the vehicle to the registered owner or a relative with the same last name. You’ll need these documents to release your vehicle:
- Proof of insurance in your name
- Current registration, title, or lease agreement
- License Plate Number or Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
- Picture ID, such as a Driver’s License or Minnesota ID Card
You must be a licensed driver to drive the car off the lot, otherwise you need to have it towed off.
Towing & Impound Fees
You’ll also need to pay any outstanding fees on the vehicle. At the minimum, this will include all towing and impound fees, but will also include any outstanding parking tickets. The lot does accept cash, credit card, and check, so payment is flexible.
Note: If you have 5 or more parking tickets, then you need to get them cleared with the Violations Bureau before going to the impound lot.
Fee Amounts:
- Standard Tow Charge: $138.00
- Daily Storage Rate: $18.00 per day (assessed at midnight)
- Heavy Duty Tow: $175.00 plus Winch Time @ $45.00 per half hour
- Notification Letter: $6.00
Predatory & Private Towing
When being towed from a public street or lot, drivers in Minneapolis enjoy a good amount of protection. Towing can only be done by authorized tow trucks, and they need a tow order from a peace officer or a parking enforcement office.
Minneapolis also set limits for private property towing, though they’re much steeper than public tows. Private tows in Minneapolis have a city-imposed flat rate of $207 per tow and $27 per day in storage. As a quick note: St. Paul does not have this flat rate, and private tows are much more expensive there.