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Tow Truck Complaint

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    You can file a complaint about tow truck drivers and businesses that provide towing services.

    Drivers and businesses must have a license from the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) if they receive direct or indirect compensation to move or remove vehicles that are:

    • Abandoned
    • Disabled
    • Illegally parked
    • Involved in accidents by another motor vehicle

    The City also accepts complaints from rental car companies about tow truck drivers and businesses.

    What You Can Report

    You can make a complaint about:

    • Billing disputes
    • Contact sign not posted
    • Damaged vehicles
    • Demands for cash payment
    • Illegal tows
    • Overcharges
    • Refund problems
    • Unlicensed activity

    What You Need

    Your complaint should include the name and address of the tow company.

    The content action "Report a problem with a tow truck." does not have a problem type that is supported by a service request form.

    What Happens Next

    If you don't include your address or email with your Service Request, you won't receive follow up. The Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) will consider your complaint a tip.

    If you include your address, DCWP will mail you a complaint form. You must complete and return it to DCWP. If you provide your email address, you'll get the form by email instead. Check your spam folder if you don't see it in your inbox.

    You can file a complaint about tow truck drivers and businesses that provide towing services on New York City highways.

    Call 311 or 212-NEW-YORK (212-639-9675) for help.

    The Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) does not accept reports of rude employees. Report this type of complaint to the business.

    For reports of discrimination, go to the Discrimination page.

    Directed Accident Response Program (DARP)

    Towing rates for participating companies are:

    • $125 for tow to storage facility (vehicles weighing less than 10,000 pounds)
    • $140 for tow to storage facility (vehicles weighing more than 10,000 pounds)
    • $25 per day for first 3 days of storage
    • $27 for each day of storage thereafter
    • $4 per mile plus tolls for towing to a location other than the tower's storage facility

    Additional charges may apply.

    Private Property Towing Rates

    Maximum rates for towing vehicles off private parking lots are:

    • $125 for towing and 3 days of storage
    • $15 for each day of storage thereafter

    Towing companies are required by law to accept at least two major credit cards.

    Rotation Tow Program (ROTOW)

    The Rotation Tow Program sets rates for participating companies that tow vehicles which have been abandoned or reported lost or stolen.

    ROTOW rates are:

    • $125 for tow (vehicle weighing less than 10,000 pounds)
    • $140 for tow (vehicle weighing more than 10,000 pounds)
    • $25 per day for first 3 days of storage
    • $27 for each day of storage thereafter

    Highway Towing Rates

    Maximum rates and charges for towing passenger vehicles off of highways are:

    • $70 for the first mile within the City of New York.
    • $4 for each additional mile within the City of New York.
    • All tolls must be paid while the vehicle is being towed.
    • The maximum rates for storage are $15 for each calendar day for the first three days of storage and $17 for the fourth calendar day of storage and each calendar day after that. The calendar day the vehicle is towed is counted as day 1.

    The New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) can help you with complaints about businesses in New York City. For complaints about businesses elsewhere, contact the local consumer affairs office or the State Attorney General.

    Online

    Learn how to file a complaint about a business outside of NYC.

    By Phone

    • Agency: Suffolk County Consumer Affairs
    • Phone Number: (631) 853-4600
    • Business Hours: Monday - Friday: 9 AM - 5 PM

    • Agency: Westchester County Department of Consumer Protection
    • Phone Number: (914) 995-2155
    • Business Hours: Monday - Friday: 9 AM - 5 PM

    • Agency: Nassau County Consumer Affairs
    • Phone Number: (516) 571-2600
    • Business Hours: Monday - Friday: 9 AM - 5 PM

    • Agency: New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs
    • Phone Number: (973) 504-6200
    • Business Hours: Monday - Friday: 9 AM - 5 PM

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