Car towed in Nashville? The first thing to do is take a breath — and then follow these steps to get it back as fast as possible.
Getting towed in Nashville is stressful but it’s a straightforward process once you know who to call and what to bring. Storage fees accumulate daily, so the faster you act the less you pay. Here’s everything you need to know.
Step 1: Find Your Car
All tows in Davidson County are performed by private wrecker companies and vehicles are taken to the URVMS Nashville Vehicle Storage Facility — the city’s contracted municipal vehicle storage facility.
URVMS Nashville
Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
To find your vehicle:
- Visit urvms.com/nashville/findyourvehicle.html to search online
- Call the Nashville Police Department Vehicle Impound Section: (615) 862-7800
When you call, have your vehicle’s VIN number (found on your insurance card), license plate number, or vehicle registration ready. This speeds up the search significantly.
Step 2: Find Out Why Your Car Was Towed
The reason your car was towed affects what you need to do next. Common reasons include:
- Parked in a tow-away zone or fire lane
- Blocking traffic or a driveway
- Parked in a private lot without permission
- Expired registration
- Vehicle abandoned on public or private property
- DUI arrest — vehicles towed for DUI are required to remain on the lot for a minimum of 12 hours
- Vehicle involved in a crime — if there is an investigative hold, you cannot claim the vehicle until the hold is removed
If your car has an investigative hold, contact the detective or investigative unit listed on your paperwork before going to the lot.
Step 3: What to Bring to the Impound Lot
Show up with everything — missing documents will send you home empty-handed.
Required:
- Government-issued photo ID (must be physical, not a copy or screenshot)
- Proof of ownership — vehicle registration, title, or bill of sale
- Proof of insurance
- Payment for all fees
Important: If you only have a student ID or employee photo ID, you must bring a licensed driver with you to drive the vehicle out, or arrange for it to be towed from the lot.
Step 4: Pay the Fees and Get Your Car Back
Impound fees in Nashville add up fast. Here’s what to expect:
- Towing fee: $250 or more depending on vehicle type and distance
- Administrative/impound fee: $75 or more
- Storage fee: Charged per day — the longer your car sits, the more you owe
Act fast. Storage fees are charged daily. A car left unclaimed for 30 days can be declared abandoned and sold at public auction. You do not want to reach that point.
All tow fees in Davidson County are set by the Transportation and Licensing Commission based on Tennessee Highway Patrol maximum fees. The city cannot waive tow fees — even in cases where the vehicle was stolen and recovered.
Exception: If your vehicle was stolen and recovered, and you pick it up within 24 hours of being notified the hold has been released, you will not be charged storage fees for the time it spent at the impound lot.
What If Your Car Was Towed from a Private Lot?
If you were towed from a private parking lot — a restaurant, shopping center, apartment complex — the tow company and process may be different from the city impound. In this case:
- Call the establishment where you were parked and ask which towing company they use
- Contact that towing company directly for location and fees
- Bring the same documentation listed above
Private lot tows can be just as expensive as city tows — sometimes more. The same urgency applies: the faster you retrieve the vehicle, the less you pay in storage.
What If You Think the Tow Was Wrongful?
If you believe your vehicle was towed illegally or in error — for example, signage was missing or inadequate — you have the right to contest the tow.
Document everything first: photograph where you parked, any signs (or lack thereof), and any surrounding context. Then contact the towing company to file a dispute. If that doesn’t resolve it, you can file a complaint with Metro Nashville.
Key Contacts for a Nashville Tow
| Contact | Info |
|---|---|
| URVMS Nashville (find your vehicle online) | urvms.com/nashville/findyourvehicle.html |
| Nashville Police Vehicle Impound Section | (615) 862-7800 |
| Vehicle Crimes Section (stolen vehicle) | (615) 862-7612 |
| URVMS open hours | 24/7 |
Tips for Getting Your Car Back Fast
Call before you go. Confirm your vehicle is there, confirm the fees, and confirm what documents you need before making the trip. Nothing is worse than showing up without the right paperwork.
Bring cash or card. Confirm payment methods before you arrive — some lots have limited options.
Inspect your car before you drive away. Check for damage and missing items while you’re still on the lot. Document everything with photos. Report any issues to lot staff immediately and ask for a written complaint form if needed.
Storage fees compound daily. Every day your car sits in impound costs you more. Prioritize getting it out even if you plan to contest the tow later.
DUI tow? Minimum 12 hours on the lot. If your vehicle was towed following a DUI arrest, Nashville law requires it stays on the impound lot for at least 12 hours before you can claim it.
Internal Links
- Got a parking ticket too? How to Fight a Parking Ticket in Nashville
- Avoid future tows: Free Parking in Nashville
- Downtown parking options: Nashville Parking Guide
This post is for informational purposes only. Fees, procedures, and contacts are subject to change. Always verify current information directly with URVMS Nashville or the Metro Nashville Police Department Vehicle Impound Section before your visit.