{"id":11392,"date":"2024-11-11T12:13:12","date_gmt":"2024-11-11T20:13:12","guid":{"rendered":"\/wp-site\/?p=11392"},"modified":"2025-07-08T07:30:03","modified_gmt":"2025-07-08T14:30:03","slug":"georgia-towing-laws","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jerry.ai\/state-laws\/georgia-towing-laws\/","title":{"rendered":"Everything You Need to Know About Georgia Towing Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The O.C.G.A authorizes police and private property owners to have vehicles towed if they are illegally parked or abandoned in Georgia. The removal fee for a towed passenger vehicle from an impound lot is $175 plus notification fees by the Georgia Department of Public Safety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-jerry-card\"><div class=\"shadow-variant-card relative overflow-hidden rounded-xl p-8\"><div class=\"flex flex-col gap-3\"><span class=\"text-lg font-medium text-slate-900\">QUICK LOOK<\/span><div class=\"jerry-block-content text-sm text-slate-700\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Provide proof of ownership, proof of insurance, a state-issued ID, and pay a towing fee to get your towed vehicle out of a Georgia impound lot.<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Private towing companies must hold a non-consensual towing permit and have a written agreement with the property owner to remove your vehicle from private property.<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Owners of motor vehicles that have been towed have certain legal rights according to the state laws that regulate towing in Georgia.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"georgia-towing-laws-for-police\">Georgia towing laws for police<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/ga.elaws.us\/Request\/Block\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Georgia Code Section 40-6-206 <\/a>authorizes police to tow a vehicle in the following situations:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The vehicle is abandoned and left illegally standing on a bridge, tunnel, or highway.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The vehicle has been reported stolen.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The vehicle owner has been arrested.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The vehicle is left unattended for 24 hours and determined to be abandoned.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The driver admits there is no car insurance on the vehicle.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The vehicle is illegally parked or obstructing traffic.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>What to expect: Vehicles towed by the police end up in an impound lot and will go to auction if not recovered within 30 calendar days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"how-to-get-your-car-out-of-an-impound-lot-in-georgia\">How to get your car out of an impound lot in Georgia<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Contact your local law enforcement agency to find out the impoundment facility where your vehicle is being stowed and how you can get it back.<br><br>How much it costs: The current removal fee for a towed passenger vehicle in Georgia shouldn\u2019t exceed $175, although the impound lot can accrue additional fees for storage of the vehicle and more.<br><br>Towing fees are regulated by the Georgia Tax Commission\u2019s Nonconsensual Towing Maximum Rate Tariff.<br><br>If you\u2019re the owner of the car, you should be able to recover your impounded vehicle during normal business hours after you pay the relevant fees. The fees you\u2019ll need to consider include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Towing fees<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Daily storage fees<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Administrative fees<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Transfer charge fees<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>You&#8217;ll also need to show:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Proof of ownership (like a bill of sale or certificate of title)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"\/car-insurance\/proof-of-insurance\/\">Proof of insurance<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A state-issued driver\u2019s license or ID<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re not the owner or you can\u2019t make it to the lot, someone else will have to claim the vehicle. You\u2019ll need all the above documents plus a letter of authorization from the owner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"georgia-towing-laws-for-private-property-owners\">Georgia towing laws for private property owners<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/ga.elaws.us\/Request\/Block\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Georgia Code Section 44-1-13<\/a> outlines towing laws for the private sector: business owners, landlords, and other owners of private property.<br><br>Your vehicle can be towed from private property if:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>You parked on personal property without authorization AND<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A notice was conspicuously posted (easy to see) for at least 24 hours informing you the vehicle may be removed at your expense<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The notice can be a posted sign with rules and regulations or even a note on your windshield and must contain the following information:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Where you can recover your vehicle<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The cost to recover your vehicle (i.e., towing fees and storage costs)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What types of payment are accepted (cannot be cash only)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>That said, private property owners must adhere to the following requirements when working with private towing companies or wrecker services:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The towing service must hold a non-consensual towing permit (NCT Permit) to tow a vehicle off private property without the owner\u2019s express permission.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The towing service must have a written agreement with the owner of the property.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-jerry-cta\"><div class=\"flex flex-col items-start gap-4 rounded-xl border border-zinc-200 px-12 py-8 md:flex-row md:items-center md:gap-14\"><div class=\"flex-1\"><span class=\"text-xl font-black text-gray-900\">SIMPLIFY YOUR CAR INSURANCE IN MINUTES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"flex-1\"><a href=\"\/signup\/insured?service=insurance \" class=\"bg-primary block w-full rounded-full px-14 py-2 text-center font-black text-white hover:no-underline\">Find savings now<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"georgia-towing-laws-for-parking-lots\">Georgia towing laws for parking lots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Private parking lots are governed by the same towing laws that apply to private property owners in Georgia:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The tow company must have a written agreement with the property owner<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>There must be a conspicuously placed notice informing you of the policy<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Tow companies must hold a non-consensual tow permit<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"georgia-towing-laws-for-parking-lots\">Rights for owners of towed vehicles in Georgia<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Vehicle owners in the state of Georgia have the following legal rights when it comes to towing:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Your vehicle can\u2019t be towed if you return to the private property before it\u2019s removed: The wrecker service may charge a fee (usually $75) if your vehicle has already been hooked and loaded. They must return the vehicle if you can produce the ignition key and immediately remove the trespassing vehicle.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The property owner or authorized agent must be present for your vehicle to be towed: It is illegal for property owners and tow companies to use automatic surveillance to monitor their property.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You have the right to know where your vehicle has been towed: The property owner should include the location of your car and the hours of operation when you can retrieve it in the conspicuously placed towing notice.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Storage fees can only accrue after a full 24 hours: You don\u2019t have to pay storage fees for the first 24 hours after your vehicle has been towed. You also can\u2019t accumulate storage fees for any day the business is unavailable for you to pick up your vehicle.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>While this isn\u2019t codified in law, you should be allowed at least one trip to your vehicle to recover personal items even if you can\u2019t pay to have your vehicle released.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-jerry-meet-experts\" data-wp-interactive=\"jerry\/meet-experts\" data-wp-context=\"{&quot;modalVisible&quot;:false}\">\n  <div class=\"font-circular text-2xl font-extrabold text-slate-900\">Expert-driven. 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Facts are thoroughly researched, verified and kept\n      current, and our editorial team is separate from our business partners, so our opinions &#038; tips are unbiased. All\n      insights drawn from Jerry\u2019s proprietary, aggregated customer auto insurance quotes data provide unique, real-world\n      guidance.\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <div class=\"text-base font-semibold text-gray-900\">Our experts<\/div>\n\n  <div class=\"my-8 flex flex-col gap-8 items-center justify-center\">\n          <div\n        class=\"meet-experts-item group relative flex h-auto w-full flex-none flex-col justify-between overflow-hidden rounded-3xl py-9 text-sm shadow-variant-card\"\n        data-expand=\"false\"\n        data-wp-init=\"callbacks.onItemInit\"\n      >\n        <div class=\"grid h-full w-full grid-cols-1 overflow-hidden px-8 md:grid-cols-4\">\n          <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"250\" height=\"250\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Cassandra-Hamilton.png\" class=\"size-16 rounded-full md:size-32 col-span-1 md:ml-4\" alt=\"meet-experts-thumbnail\" srcset=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Cassandra-Hamilton.png 250w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Cassandra-Hamilton-150x150.png 150w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Cassandra-Hamilton-56x56.png 56w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Cassandra-Hamilton-120x120.png 120w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 346px) 260px, (max-width: 576px) 432px, (max-width: 720px) 540px, (min-width: 720px) 250px, 100vw\" fetchpriority=\"low\"\/>\n          <div class=\"col-span-3\">\n            <div class=\"my-4 flex-1 content-center font-circular text-lg font-medium text-slate-900 md:mt-0\">\n              Cassandra Hamilton            <\/div>\n\n            \n            <div class=\"text-slate-500 mt-2 leading-6\">\n              <p>Cassandra Hamilton is an insurance writer with experience creating content for a variety of industries. Cassandra\u2019s mission is to create clear and concise content that drivers can use to save money on car-related expenses. Though most of the over 500 articles Cassandra has written for Jerry focus on car maintenance and repair topics, her expertise ranges across all things to do with vehicle ownership and insurance. Prior to joining Jerry, Cassandra worked in retail management while pursuing bachelor\u2019s degrees in mass communications and theatre.<\/p>            <\/div>\n          <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n\n        <div class=\"absolute hidden group-data-[expand=true]:flex bottom-0 w-full h-24 bg-gradient-to-t from-white from-30% to-transparent to-100% items-end justify-center\">\n          <div\n            class=\"flex cursor-pointer flex-row items-center gap-2 my-4 font-circular text-primary\"\n            data-wp-on-async--click=\"actions.onItemExpandClick\"\n          >\n            <span class=\"text-sm\">See more<\/span>\n            <span class=\"iconify i--chevron-down text-xs\"><\/span>\n          <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n          <div\n        class=\"meet-experts-item group relative flex h-auto w-full flex-none flex-col justify-between overflow-hidden rounded-3xl py-9 text-sm shadow-variant-card\"\n        data-expand=\"false\"\n        data-wp-init=\"callbacks.onItemInit\"\n      >\n        <div class=\"grid h-full w-full grid-cols-1 overflow-hidden px-8 md:grid-cols-4\">\n          <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"250\" height=\"250\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Pat-Roache.png\" class=\"size-16 rounded-full md:size-32 col-span-1 md:ml-4\" alt=\"meet-experts-thumbnail\" srcset=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Pat-Roache.png 250w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Pat-Roache-150x150.png 150w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Pat-Roache-56x56.png 56w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Pat-Roache-120x120.png 120w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 346px) 260px, (max-width: 576px) 432px, (max-width: 720px) 540px, (min-width: 720px) 250px, 100vw\" fetchpriority=\"low\"\/>\n          <div class=\"col-span-3\">\n            <div class=\"my-4 flex-1 content-center font-circular text-lg font-medium text-slate-900 md:mt-0\">\n              Pat Roache            <\/div>\n\n            \n            <div class=\"text-slate-500 mt-2 leading-6\">\n              <p>Pat Roache is an insurance writer with over two years of experience in the automotive industry. With a focus on car insurance, maintenance, and brand reviews, Pat\u2019s mission is to create engaging and accessible content that empowers readers to take autonomy over their car ownership. As a writer and editor with Jerry, Pat has penned over 600 original articles and edited over 1,000. Pat\u2019s 8+ years of experience in the performing arts as a writer, director, producer, and performer lend to their keen eye for research and presentation. Most recently, Pat\u2019s new English translation of Donizetti\u2019s Italian opera \u201cD[x]n Pasquale\u201d had its world premiere in 2022 with Opera MODO (Detroit, MI). Pat also writes grants for an LGBTQ arts non-profit in Chicago, IL.<\/p>            <\/div>\n          <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n\n        <div class=\"absolute hidden group-data-[expand=true]:flex bottom-0 w-full h-24 bg-gradient-to-t from-white from-30% to-transparent to-100% items-end justify-center\">\n          <div\n            class=\"flex cursor-pointer flex-row items-center gap-2 my-4 font-circular text-primary\"\n            data-wp-on-async--click=\"actions.onItemExpandClick\"\n          >\n            <span class=\"text-sm\">See more<\/span>\n            <span class=\"iconify i--chevron-down text-xs\"><\/span>\n          <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>You\u2019ll need to pay at least a $175 fee and provide proof of ownership, insurance, and ID to reclaim a vehicle that\u2019s been towed in Georgia.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":63521,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jerry_authors":"[{\"id\":\"71\",\"type\":\"main-author\"},{\"id\":\"250\",\"type\":\"editor\"}]","jerry_author_ids":[71],"jerry_idx_page_label":"","jerry_meta_desc":"You\u2019ll need to pay at least a $175 fee and provide proof of ownership, insurance, and ID to reclaim a vehicle that\u2019s been towed in Georgia.","jerry_related_posts":"[6079,5177,10176]","jerry_summary":"","inline_featured_image":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[515],"tags":[200,644,346,366],"class_list":["post-11392","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-state-laws","tag-georgia","tag-resource_state_laws","tag-state-laws","tag-towing"],"modified_by":"harveen.sran@getjerry.com","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/jerry.ai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11392","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/jerry.ai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/jerry.ai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jerry.ai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/19"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jerry.ai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11392"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/jerry.ai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11392\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":63522,"href":"https:\/\/jerry.ai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11392\/revisions\/63522"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jerry.ai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/63521"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/jerry.ai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11392"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jerry.ai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11392"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jerry.ai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11392"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}