A Tow in Atlanta: What to Do, Who to Call, and How It Works

Getting towed in Atlanta—or needing a tow—can be stressful. Whether you broke down on the Downtown Connector, found your car missing from a Midtown lot, or just need a local towing service, it helps to understand how towing in Atlanta, Georgia actually works.

This guide walks through emergency tows, police-ordered tows, private property tows, fees, locations, and key phone numbers so you know what to do next.

Types of Tows You’ll Encounter in Atlanta

In Atlanta, most towing situations fall into four categories:

1. Emergency or roadside towing you request
2. APD (Atlanta Police Department) ordered tows
3. Private property or parking lot tows
4. Wrecked or abandoned vehicle tows

Knowing which situation you’re in helps you figure out who has your car, what it might cost, and how to get it back.

1. When You Need a Tow in Atlanta

If your car breaks down, won’t start, or you’re in a minor wreck and the vehicle is still driveable (or safely movable), you’ll usually arrange your own tow.

Common situations

• Dead battery, flat tire, or overheated engine
• Car won’t start at home, work, or MARTA station
• Breakdowns along I-75/I-85, I-20, I-285, GA 400, or Peachtree Street and surrounding roads
• You need a tow to a repair shop, home, or dealership

Who to call

You can:

• Call your roadside assistance (through your insurance, credit card, auto club, or manufacturer program)
• Search for an Atlanta towing service that covers your area
• If you’re on a major interstate in the city, you may encounter Georgia HERO/CHAMP units that help move disabled vehicles off the road (they may arrange a tow if needed)

💡 Tip: If you’re on the shoulder of an interstate in Atlanta, turn on your hazard lights, stay inside the vehicle with seatbelt on if it’s unsafe to stand outside, and call for help immediately.

What to ask the towing company

Before agreeing, ask:

• Base tow fee and per-mile rate
• Extra charges (after-hours, winching, storage, etc.)
• Where they plan to take the car and whether you can choose the destination
• Estimated arrival time

2. Atlanta Police Department–Ordered Tows

Sometimes a tow is ordered by law enforcement rather than by you.

Common reasons APD has a vehicle towed

The Atlanta Police Department (APD) may order a tow if:

• The vehicle is involved in a traffic crash and can’t be safely driven
• It’s blocking traffic, a driveway, or a travel lane
• It’s illegally parked in no-parking zones, fire lanes, or rush-hour restricted lanes
• It’s believed to be abandoned on public property
• It’s part of a criminal investigation (impounded as evidence)

In these cases, APD usually calls a rotation wrecker service (tow companies that are on an official list), not a company chosen by the driver.

How to find your car after an APD tow

If you return to find your car gone and suspect the Atlanta Police Department had it towed:

1. Call Atlanta Police Non-Emergency:
   (404) 614-6544
   Provide your license plate and vehicle description.
2. Ask:
   • If APD had the vehicle towed
   • Which tow yard has your car
   • Whether the vehicle is impounded for a violation or just towed for obstruction/parking

Sometimes APD tows are logged in their system within a short period; in other cases, you might be pointed to a central tow lot based on the zone where you were parked.

3. Private Property & Parking Lot Tows in Atlanta

A very common “a tow in Atlanta” situation is a private property tow—for example, your car is towed from:

• Apartment or condo complexes
• Shopping center or strip mall lots
• Paid parking decks and surface lots
• Reserved or permit-only parking areas

These are not APD tows; they’re done by private towing companies at the request of the property owner or manager.

Signs to look for

Atlanta’s towing rules require that, in most cases, private properties that tow:

• Post clear signs at entrances or around the lot
• Show the name and phone number of the towing company
• List the location where vehicles are taken
• Display basic fee information

If your car is missing from a private lot:

1. Look for a towing sign in the lot or garage.
2. Call the towing company listed.
3. Confirm:
   • They have your car
   • The address of the tow yard
   • The total amount due
   • Accepted forms of payment

If you cannot find signs and suspect an improper tow, you may later choose to dispute the tow or talk to city or state consumer protection offices about your options.

4. Abandoned, Illegally Parked, or Booted Vehicles

Besides towing, you may also encounter boots (wheel clamps) on vehicles in Atlanta, often in private lots or for unpaid tickets in some jurisdictions.

Booting vs towing

• Booted vehicles are usually immobilized on-site. You typically:
  • Call the number on the boot notice
  • Pay a boot removal fee
  • Have the boot removed and drive away
• If the vehicle sits too long or other violations are involved, it may then be towed to a lot

On public streets, repeated unpaid tickets or serious violations may, in some jurisdictions, lead to towing or impoundment.

5. Where Towed Vehicles Usually Go in Atlanta

Where your vehicle ends up depends on who ordered the tow.

Common destinations

• APD-ordered tows:
  Typically go to an authorized impound or contract tow yard assigned based on the APD zone or rotation list.
• Private property tows:
  Go to the towing company’s storage lot, which may be within Atlanta or in nearby metro areas.
• Roadside assistance tows:
  Go where you choose—home, mechanic, dealership, or another address.

How to locate a towed car if you’re not sure who towed it

If you’re not certain if it was APD or a private company:

1. Check the area where you parked for towing signs.
2. If no luck, call Atlanta Police Non-Emergency at (404) 614-6544.
3. Provide:
   • Approximate time and exact location where you parked
   • License plate number
   • Vehicle make, model, and color

If APD didn’t order a tow and there are no posted towing signs, your vehicle may have been moved for construction, utility work, or another reason. APD can help you start narrowing it down.

6. Typical Towing & Storage Fees in Atlanta

Rates can vary by company and situation, but there are some common fee categories you’ll see across metro Atlanta:

Common charges:

• Base tow fee (hook-up or initial tow)
• Per-mile fee (for tows beyond a certain distance)
• After-hours or weekend surcharge
• Winching or recovery fee (if the car is stuck, off-road, or in a tight spot)
• Storage fee per day (if kept at a tow yard)
• Administrative or processing fees

Many drivers in Atlanta are surprised by how fast storage fees add up, especially if they wait several days to retrieve the vehicle.

7. Documents You’ll Need to Get Your Car Back

When you go to pick up a towed or impounded vehicle in Atlanta, you’ll usually need:

• Government-issued photo ID
• Proof of ownership, such as:
  • Vehicle registration
  • Title
  • Insurance card with your name and VIN
• Proof of authority if you’re not the owner:
  • Written authorization from the owner
  • Rental agreement (for rental cars)
• Payment in an accepted form:
  • Cash is widely accepted
  • Some lots accept debit/credit; others may not—always ask on the phone first

If the vehicle is held due to unpaid tickets, investigations, or holds, you may also need to:

• Clear tickets or citations
• Obtain a release form from APD or the relevant agency before the tow yard can release the vehicle

8. Key Atlanta Contacts for Towing-Related Issues

Here is a simple reference section for common towing-related needs in Atlanta.

Always verify office hours before visiting in person, as hours and procedures can change.

9. If You Feel You Were Improperly Towed in Atlanta

Sometimes drivers feel a tow was unfair or unlawful—for example:

• No visible towing signs on private property
• Excessive or unclear fees
• Tow occurred while they feel they were legally parked
• Damage to the vehicle that they believe occurred during towing

In those cases, possible next steps include:

• Taking photos of the parking area, signage (or lack of it), and any damage
• Keeping all receipts and paperwork from the tow yard
• Speaking with the tow company first to request clarification or dispute a fee
• Contacting:
  • City of Atlanta Municipal Court if a citation is involved
  • Appropriate state consumer protection offices or legal counsel if you wish to pursue the matter further

10. Practical Safety Tips When Dealing With a Tow in Atlanta

A few Atlanta-specific safety and convenience tips:

• On interstates and major connectors, prioritize personal safety over the car. Get to a safe location and then deal with towing.
• If a tow truck shows up without you calling them and APD is not involved, verify:
  • The company name
  • Their DOT or company identification
  • Who is authorizing the tow (you, property owner, or police)
• Before your car is hooked up, confirm:
  • Destination
  • Estimated cost
  • Whether they’ll allow you to ride with the tow truck (if you need transport)
• If it’s a private property tow situation and your car is still present:
  • Clarify whether you can pay a drop fee (a fee to release the vehicle before it leaves the property) rather than have it taken away. Policies vary.

Knowing how towing in Atlanta works—who to call, what it might cost, and where your vehicle is likely to be—can save you time, money, and stress whether you’re a resident, commuter, or visitor navigating the city.