If you want to get rid of your neighbor’s junk car that’s been taking up space in front of your house for too long, you may want to review the common towing laws in Indiana before making any decisions that you can’t undo. After all, you wouldn’t want to put yourself at risk of being in violation of such laws, and subsequently, subjected to several fines, fees, and tedious litigation.
Taking matters into your own hands when it comes to towing is something that should only be done under certain circumstances. Furthermore, you must understand towing laws in order to protect yourself from becoming a target of a tow.
Continue reading to learn the most basic and pertinent towing laws you need to know as a common resident in Indiana.
Indiana Laws for Towing and Being Towed
Here in Indiana, if you are a licensed driver, you have officially consented all terms and conditions that come into play if you were to violate a state or federal traffic offense. When it comes towing, these same conditions apply to all drivers; if you park a vehicle in a spot it shouldn’t be, you have surrendered to the possible penalties, which include ticketing and towing.
As of July 2011, the City-County Council granted a towing law that empowers the Department of Business and Neighborhood Services to license qualified wrecker companies. You can find details of this ordinance in Chapter 995 of the Municipal Code. However, this law also protects drivers against unlawful and unethical towing practices.
Standard Towing Laws:
📛 A vehicle can be towed instantly if it’s an emergency situation or if it’s impacting a business.
📛 If a driver is arrested, their vehicle is immediately towed.
📛 Vehicles abandoned on private property must be tagged with a notification sticker 24 hours before they are towed. After 24 hours of being tagged, a vehicle can be towed by the appointed towing company.
📛 Vehicles abandoned on private property for more than 21 consecutive days can be towed away without notification by appointed authorities.
📛 Vehicles with false license plates will be towed and impounded.
📛 When vehicles are taken to the impound, it can legally be searched.
📛 Towing signs must be entirely visible at all times.
What To Do After Being Towed
If your car was just towed, ask yourself why. Was your license plate expired? Do you have several unpaid parking tickets? Was your car just involved or suspected of being involved in a recent crime? Was your vehicle in extremely poor physical condition, like flattened tires, missing bumper, or busted oil tank, while parked in a private lot?
If you answered yes to any of these circumstances, it could be the reason your car was towed. From here, look for towing signs. These signs typically have information about the appointed towing company and how to contact them. If this does not work, contact the DMV or the local police.
Indianapolis Towing Services You Can Trust
Call Zore’s Towing at 317-247-8484 for 24 hour towing and roadside assistance in Indianapolis and throughout Central Indiana. Our friendly staff is waiting by the phones, ready to help you get back on the road, safe and sound. We operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year, so you can always count on us. Request a free estimate, today.
