If your car has been towed in Minnesota, you need to know what the towing company can and cannot do under state law. Minnesota Statutes chapter 168B governs towing, impound lots, and the rights of vehicle owners. This article explains the rules—including fee caps, notice requirements, and what to do if you believe a tow was improper.
When Your Vehicle Can Be Towed
Minnesota law authorizes towing in several situations. The rules depend on where the vehicle is parked and who requests the tow.
Public Roads and Highways
Law enforcement may order a vehicle towed from public roads when it is:
- Illegally parked in violation of posted signs or parking ordinances
- Abandoned on a highway (left unattended for more than 48 hours, or lacking current registration)
- Involved in an accident and obstructing traffic
- Impeding snow removal or road maintenance
- Subject to forfeiture under state law
These tows are governed by Minn. Stat. § 168B.035 and related provisions in Minn. Stat. ch. 169.
Private Property
Private property owners may have vehicles towed under Minn. Stat. § 168B.04. The rules depend on the type of property:
Residential and commercial property. The property owner or authorized agent may have an unauthorized vehicle towed without prior notice to the vehicle owner. However, the property must have posted signage warning that unauthorized vehicles will be towed.
Vehicle service or repair establishments. If a vehicle has been left at a business that services, repairs, or maintains motor vehicles, the property owner must provide five business days' written notice by certified mail before having the vehicle removed. The notice must identify the vehicle's registration plate number, vehicle identification number, and make, model, and color (Minn. Stat. § 168B.04, subd. 2).
Liability protection. A property owner who authorizes a tow under chapter 168B is not civilly liable to the vehicle owner for the tow itself (Minn. Stat. § 168B.04, subd. 3).
Fee Caps: What Towing Companies Can Charge
Minnesota law sets maximum fees for both towing and storage. These caps apply statewide.
Towing Fee Cap
A towing company may not charge more than $150 to tow a vehicle (Minn. Stat. § 168B.087, subd. 1). This cap applies to standard passenger vehicles towed under chapter 168B.
Daily Storage Fee Cap
An impound lot operator may not charge more than $30 per day for storage and other costs related to the impoundment (Minn. Stat. § 168B.087, subd. 2).
Maximum Storage Duration Charges
The total storage fees a lot can claim are also limited:
- For vehicles described in Minn. Stat. § 168B.051, subd. 1 (most vehicles): no more than 15 days of storage charges
- For vehicles described in Minn. Stat. § 168B.051, subd. 2 (certain older or lower-value vehicles): no more than 45 days of storage charges
These caps mean the maximum storage bill for a typical vehicle is $450 (15 days at $30/day).
Payment Methods
Towing companies and impound lots must accept multiple forms of payment. They must also provide detailed, itemized receipts showing the charges assessed.
Notice Requirements After a Tow
When a vehicle is impounded, the impound lot operator or government unit that authorized the tow must notify the vehicle owner in writing. Here is what the law requires.
Timeline
Written notice must be sent to the registered vehicle owner and any lienholders within five business days of the impoundment (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays) (Minn. Stat. § 168B.06, subd. 1).
Contents of the Notice
The notice must include:
- The year, make, model, and serial number of the vehicle (if reasonably obtainable)
- The location where the vehicle is being held
- A statement of the owner's right to reclaim the vehicle under Minn. Stat. § 168B.07
- A warning that failure to reclaim within the applicable deadline constitutes a waiver of all right, title, and interest in the vehicle—and consent to its sale or disposal
If You Never Received Notice
If the impound lot or government unit failed to send timely notice, that failure may be grounds to contest the fees or the tow itself. Keep records of your address at the time and any correspondence you did or did not receive.
How to Retrieve Your Vehicle
If your car has been towed, here is what to do.
Step 1: Locate Your Vehicle
If you don't know where your vehicle was taken, contact local law enforcement. For tows in Minneapolis, call 311 or the Minneapolis Impound Lot at (612) 673-5777. For tows in Saint Paul, call (651) 266-5601. Other municipalities maintain their own impound facilities or contract with private lots.
Step 2: Bring Required Documents
When you go to retrieve your vehicle, bring:
- A valid photo ID
- Proof of vehicle ownership (title or current registration)
- Payment for towing and storage fees
If you are not the registered owner, you may need a notarized authorization from the owner.
Step 3: Pay the Fees
You must pay all towing and storage charges to retrieve your vehicle. Review the itemized receipt carefully. Under Minnesota law:
- The towing charge should not exceed $150
- Daily storage should not exceed $30 per day
- Total storage charges should not exceed the applicable cap (15 or 45 days)
If the charges exceed these amounts, you have the right to dispute them.
Step 4: Inspect Your Vehicle
Before driving away, inspect your vehicle for any damage that occurred during towing or storage. Document any damage with photographs. If you discover damage, note it on any paperwork and file a complaint.
Deadlines to Reclaim Your Vehicle
You have a limited window to reclaim your vehicle before the impound lot can dispose of it or sell it.
Under Minn. Stat. § 168B.051:
- 15 days from the date of the required notice for most vehicles
- 45 days for certain vehicles (such as those worth more than $500 or less than seven years old)
If you do not reclaim your vehicle within the applicable period, you forfeit all rights to the vehicle. The impound lot may then sell it or have it scrapped.
Your Right to Contest a Tow
If you believe your vehicle was towed improperly—for example, the tow was not authorized under chapter 168B, the signage requirements were not met on private property, or notice was not properly given—you have options.
Filing a Complaint
You can file a complaint with the municipality that authorized the tow. Many cities have an administrative hearing process for tow disputes.
Small Claims Court
If you paid fees for what you believe was an improper tow, you may be able to recover those fees in conciliation (small claims) court. Minnesota conciliation courts handle disputes up to $15,000.
Overcharging
If a towing company or impound lot charged you more than the statutory caps allow, you should:
- Request an itemized receipt if you haven't already received one
- Compare the charges against the $150 towing cap and $30/day storage cap
- Demand a refund of the overcharge in writing
- File a complaint with the Minnesota Attorney General's Office if the company refuses
- Consider filing a claim in conciliation court
Impound Lot Requirements
Minnesota law imposes requirements on impound lot operators as well—not just on vehicle owners.
Licensing and Operation
Impound lots must comply with Minn. Stat. § 168B.07, which governs how lots operate, maintain vehicles, and interact with vehicle owners.
Vehicle Care
An impound lot must store vehicles in a manner that does not cause unnecessary damage. The lot operator is responsible for the vehicle while it is in the lot's custody.
Record Keeping
Lots must maintain records of all vehicles taken into custody, including the date and circumstances of each impoundment, notice sent to owners, fees charged, and disposition of the vehicle.
Common Situations
Your car was towed from a parking lot with "Tow Away" signs. If the property was properly posted with warning signs, the tow is likely authorized under Minn. Stat. § 168B.04. You must pay the towing and storage fees to retrieve your vehicle, but those fees cannot exceed the statutory caps.
Your car was towed but you never received notice. The impound lot was required to send written notice within five business days. If it failed to do so, you may have grounds to contest the fees or seek a refund.
The towing company charged you $250. That exceeds the $150 statutory cap. Request an itemized receipt, demand a refund of the overcharge, and file a complaint if necessary.
Your car was damaged during towing. Document the damage with photographs immediately. The towing company may be liable for damage caused during the tow. You can pursue a claim in conciliation court.
Key Statutes
| Citation | Subject |
|---|---|
| Minn. Stat. ch. 168B | Abandoned motor vehicles; towing (full chapter) |
| Minn. Stat. § 168B.035 | Towing from public roads |
| Minn. Stat. § 168B.04 | Towing from private property |
| Minn. Stat. § 168B.051 | Deadlines to reclaim impounded vehicles |
| Minn. Stat. § 168B.06 | Notice requirements to vehicle owner |
| Minn. Stat. § 168B.07 | Impound lot requirements |
| Minn. Stat. § 168B.087 | Fee caps (towing and storage) |
Disclaimer
This article provides general legal information about Minnesota towing laws. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Towing rules may also be affected by local municipal ordinances. If you believe your rights have been violated, consult with an attorney.
Aaron Hall is a business law attorney in Minneapolis. This article is provided as a public service resource. For business law questions, contact Aaron Hall, Attorney.