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Why
Was My Car Towed?
Cars are towed
for many different reasons. Below you
will find the most common reasons, along
with their corresponding vehicle codes.
THE DRIVER
IS UNLICENSED or HAS A SUSPENDED LICENSE:
Vehicles cannot be driven by any unlicensed
driver or those who commit a license
violation. Vehicles can be towed even if the
driver is not the vehicle owner or if there
is a licensed passenger in the car. The
police department and officers cannot assume
the risk or liability for allowing
unlicensed drivers to drive away once
stopped or contacted. Officers will not
leave the vehicle where stopped, call the
vehicle's owner or wait for a licensed
driver to arrive. Vehicles are towed
immediately, per 22651 (p) CVC or if
suspended or never issued a drivers license,
impounded for 30 days per 14602.6 CVC.
DRIVER or OCCUPANT ARRESTED: Vehicles
cannot be left on roadways following an
arrest of the driver or person in control of
the vehicle. The police department or
officers cannot assume the risk or liability
for leaving a vehicle parked on the roadway
or private property following the driver or
occupant's arrest for any alleged crime.
Vehicles can be towed immediately, per 22651
(h)(1) CVC or if driving under the influence
under 21, per 22651 (h)(2) CVC.
LEFT PARKED BLOCKING ROADWAY, SIDEWALK OR
DRIVEWAY: Vehicles cannot block a
street, lane of traffic, driveway, sidewalk,
any other vehicle or any public
right-of-way. Obstructing vehicles can be
towed immediately as a safety hazard, per
22651 (a), (b), (d), (r) CVC.
REGISTRATION EXPIRED OVER 6 (SIX) MONTHS:
Any vehicle, registered in any state, found
or operated on any roadway, public lands, or
parking lot with registration expired in
excess of six months before it is found or
operated on the highway. The vehicle can be
released to the owner only after the owner
brings proof of current registration, per
22651 (o) CVC.
ILLEGALLY PARKED VEHICLES: If parked
illegally or unsafely or with no proof of
registration, vehicles can be removed
immediately. Vehicles can be towed if parked
blocking any marked or signed No Parking Any
Time, Construction zone, Fire Lane, Fire
Hydrant, Bus Zone, Handicapped parking
space, red zone or other no parking areas,
per 22651 (n),(l),(j) CVC and 22652 CVC .
Vehicles can also be towed or removed for a
car alarm sounding over a 20 minute period,
per 22651.5 CVC.
DISABLED / DISMANTLED VEHICLES: If
not in safe running condition, or able to be
driven or moved by their own power (i.e.;
missing any wheels, windshield, engine,
other parts), they can be towed away by
officers immediately, any time without
notice, per 22669 (d) CVC.
ABANDONED OR ABATED VEHICLES: Any
vehicles seen or reported as parked
motionless or left abandoned on any public
street may be marked by officers as possibly
abandoned. Owners then have 72 hours ( 3
days ) from the time marked to remove the
vehicle before it is towed away, per 22551
(k) CVC., 22660 CVC.
EVIDENCE OR USED IN A CRIME: Officers
will impound and immediately tow and store
any vehicle used in, or containing evidence
of a crime under several sections of the
vehicle code, including section 22655.5 CVC.
EXCESSIVE PARKING VIOLATIONS:
Vehicles that have received 5 (five) or more
unpaid parking tickets from any government
agency, can be towed at any time. Once the
parking citations are paid, the vehicle can
be released to the owner. Vehicles can be
towed, per 22651 (i) CVC.
PARKED UNAUTHORIZED, UNATTENDED OR
BLOCKING PRIVATE PROPERTY: Vehicles
cannot park in private property parking
lots, driveways, or other spaces unless
authorized (like tenants or customers) or
without the permission of the property
owner. Private property must have specific
signs at property entrances and vehicles
must be parked in violation, according to
the vehicle code. Police officers may also
remove vehicles from private property in
some circumstances. Vehicle towed or removed
must be reported to police. Property owners
can call private tow companies and tow
vehicles immediately, per 22658 (a) CVC.
3 LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU
20621 Earl, Torrance, CA
2755 Lomita, Torrance, CA
1149 S. La Brea Ave., Inglewood, CA 90301
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