AboutRichard Expertise Professional towing and recovery operator for 29 Plus years, dealing with light to heavy duty towing operations... Nationally certified by various agencies - associations..
I know that many people do not understand vehicle towing when ordered by Law Enforcement or from Private Property Parking lots, which I will try to help with. BUT, I am not versed in RV TOWING ISSUES, or actual law cases or proposed cases...
Experience I have 29+ years of towing experience dealing with everything from Light duty ( cars and pickups ) to tractor trailer rigs, motor homes and buses.. Motor clubs to police calls, lockouts to jumpstarts and tows. I have experienced alot of fun times doing my job. Some have been good experiences and some of have been heart wrenching experiences.
Organizations Been affiliated with TRAA(towing and recovery association of america), Oregon Tow Truck Association, Washington Tow Truck Association, Wyoming Tow Truck Association , and Alabama Tow Truck Association
Publications Tow Times Magazine
American Towman
STA Phantom Towing News
Towing and Recovery Phootnotes
Education/Credentials TRAA Heavy duty Trained operator 1987
TRAA Management Classes 1986
Wreckmaster training programs (since 1992)
Several other training programs (to many to list )
Question I bought a car on Craigslist about a month ago for $750. Registration was paid current, but I procrastinated going to the DMV and switching the title in to my name. Got pulled over. Cop impounded car. Right off the bat, I am looking at over $488 in tow and release fees. Is there any way to either
- get my vehicle back and pay these fees over time?
- Dispute the impounding on any grounds?
- Basically get my car back without having to mortgage the house? Without my car I will surely loose my job! Please help.
Newport Beach, Ca 92662
Answer Well you can always dispute the tow either in small claims court or if the local police have a hearings provision then you can do that.
But I think that since you had bought the vehicle (from what I understand here and think was happening) for the current tags so you could put off the "expensive registration fees" as long as possible, you did break some of the rules regarding transfer of ownership. Those rules do have some penalties both money wise and if caught then you have the "criminal penalty) such as getting towed and not having access to the vehicle.
As far as paying the fee over time, I kind of doubt it as that would be up the tow company and the rules and laws they have to operate under when doing law enforcement towing.
Sorry but from where I sit I think you are out of luck on this as I can not see any "solid answers" here for you. But if you want you can check out the California DMV web pages and see what you find in there about hearings on tows and all that.
