Massachusetts towing laws allow police and private property owners to have vehicles towed if they are illegally parked or abandoned, but there’s a lot more to the law than just that. You often have to pay high towing and storage fees to get your vehicle back after it’s been towed, so you need to know your rights.

While you might think

Jerry

, the

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for car owners, just deals with

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, you’d be wrong. We also have this guide on towing laws in Massachusetts—who can tow, what the circumstances should be, and how to get your vehicle back.

When can police tow a vehicle in Massachusetts?

The towing law in Massachusetts is a complicated subject—you could sink endless hours into it and still not know all the ins and outs. We’re keeping it simple with three of the most important towing laws in Massachusetts, starting with when the police can tow your vehicle.

The police in Massachusetts may tow your vehicle when:

The vehicle was stolen

The vehicle is disabled and obstructing traffic and/or is an obvious hazard

The operator of the vehicle is arrested and the vehicle would be left unattended on a public way

The vehicle is improperly parked or standing in violation of a state or municipal law or regulation

The vehicle is not validly registered or insured

The vehicle, in its current condition, is too hazardous or dangerous to be driven

Adverse weather conditions or other emergency reasons require the removal of the vehicle

There might be more reasons why the police might tow your vehicle, but these are the big ones. If your vehicle is towed by the police, it will be taken to an impound lot.

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How to get your car out of an impound lot in Massachusetts

If your vehicle is taken to an impound lot, make sure you recover it within 30 calendar days. After this, the vehicle will go to auction and you won’t be able to get it back.

Unfortunately, the police can’t hold your vehicle indefinitely. Call the impound lot as soon as you can after your vehicle is towed to get instructions for recovery. If you’re the owner of the vehicle, you should be able to easily get the vehicle back by showing up during normal business hours and providing:

Any fees that might be due

The vehicle’s license plate number

The vehicle’s insurance information

Your driver’s license

If you’re not the vehicle’s owner, you should still be able to easily recover the vehicle with the above items.

It should be simple to get your car back from the impound lot—should be. More often than not, fees complicate the recovery of a vehicle and can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars. Fees include:

Towing fees

Daily storage fees

Administrative fees

Transfer charge fees

After-hours fees, lien charges, and auction fees (when applicable)

MORE: My car got towed. Now what?

When can private property owners tow a vehicle in Massachusetts?

Now that we’ve covered when the police can tow your vehicle in Massachusetts, let’s talk about when private property owners, like businesses and landlords, can tow your vehicle.

Private property towing laws are covered by

Section 120D

of Massachusetts law. One important aspect of this law is that a property owner or their agent must provide written notice to the chief of police or their designee that they are going to tow a vehicle. The property owner must also expressly forbid you from parking there, either verbally or by sign.

If a property owner doesn’t follow the above criteria, they are subject to a fine of up to $100.

Once your vehicle is towed, it must be stored in a convenient location—that means you won’t have to travel 20 miles, for example, to get your car back.

MORE:

How much does it cost to tow a car?

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When can your car be towed from a parking lot in Massachusetts?

Parking lot tows follow the same laws as those that govern tows from private property. Your vehicle can also be towed from a parking lot if:

The vehicle is illegally parked

The vehicle has five or more overdue parking tickets

MORE: Car insurance scams: How to avoid insurance fraud

What are my rights if my car is towed in Massachusetts?

If your car is towed in Massachusetts for any reason, you have certain rights. Your rights include:

A walk-in hearing within five days of your tow

The right to have your car taken off the tow truck if you show up before the tow is completed

If your vehicle has been towed, call the wrecking service right away for more details and instructions. You can find this information on a sign posted on the private property your vehicle was towed from, or from the local police department if the police had your vehicle towed.

MORE: How to get car insurance with a bad driving record

How to save on car insurance in Massachusetts

You might not think a tow could contribute to high car insurance rates, but it’s possible depending on the reason for the tow. If you illegally parked at a coffee shop and got a tow, that won’t affect your rates. But if you got a tow after a traffic violation, a DUI arrest, or an accident, any of those factors can raise your rates.

You could benefit from the help of an expert insurance broker in this case—that’s why

Jerry

is here. Jerry combines the convenience of modern technology with the old-school savvy of an insurance broker. With Jerry’s help and a network of over 55 insurance companies, you’ll find the best

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What is the maximum towing fee in Massachusetts?

As of July 2022, the max charge for involuntary towing by police or from private property is $108. The max rate for storage is $35 per 24 hours.

Can a landlord tow your car without notice in Massachusetts?

You’ll have to double-check your lease on this one—sometimes, landlords can sneak parking regulations into your lease and count that as notice of a tow. Otherwise, your landlord has to provide you with notice that you’re in violation of parking rules.

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