Car Towed in Tucson? How to Find Out Where It Went

In Tucson, first figure out who towed your car. Several agencies tow here. If Tucson Police impounded it, call the Impound Lobby at 520-791-4440. If a Pima County deputy did, call (520) 351-6105. If it vanished from a private lot, read the tow-away sign, or call TPD's non-emergency line at 311. Each agency gives its own release paperwork, and the tow yard won't let the car go without it.

Who could have towed my car in Tucson?

Tucson is a patchwork. City streets, county land, a university campus, a separate city in the middle and state freeways all sit side by side. Each one has its own police. The agency that ordered the tow is the one that releases the car.

• Tucson Police (TPD): most streets inside city limits.
• Pima County Sheriff: unincorporated areas around the city.
• University of Arizona Police (UAPD): the campus area.
• South Tucson Police: the small city of South Tucson, surrounded by Tucson.
• Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS): state highways like I-10.
• A private tow company: a store, apartment or office lot that posts tow-away signs.

So think about the exact spot. Were you on Speedway near campus? On a county road out past Tanque Verde? On the shoulder of I-10 near Marana? That spot points you to the right phone number. Call the wrong agency and you lose half a day.

Did the driver get a Notice of Impound?

If police stopped the car and towed it, the driver should have a paper called a Notice of Impound. TPD hands it out at the scene or mails it. It names the tow company holding your car and how to reach it. Check the glove box, the driver's pockets and your mail.

That notice also starts a clock for a hearing. More on that below. Don't lose it.

Why would Tucson Police impound a car for 20 days?

This one surprises people. Arizona law, A.R.S. 28-3511, makes officers impound a car in certain cases. Common ones:

• The driver's driving privilege was revoked.
• The driver has never had a license from Arizona or anywhere else.
• The driver needed an ignition interlock and the car didn't have a working one.
• Certain DUI arrests, or a driver under 21 with alcohol in their body.

These impounds come with a mandatory 20-day hold. TPD says personal hardship can't shorten it. Only the conditions in state law can.

The good news: there are real ways out early. If you're the owner and you weren't the one driving, you can often sign an Agreement of Operations. That's a promise to only let licensed drivers use the car. If your own license gets reinstated, bring proof. If the car was reported stolen before the tow, the Pima County Sheriff lists that as a reason for early release too.

One trap: don't sell the car or change the title while it's held. TPD says a title change keeps the car impounded for the full 20 days.

How do I get my car released from Tucson Police?

You go to TPD first, then the tow yard. Not the other way around.

Place	Impound Lobby, Westside Police Service Center
Address	1310 West Miracle Mile, Tucson
Hours	Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed holidays
Phone	520-791-4440

Bring all of this:

• A valid driver's license. TPD checks it against the Arizona MVD database.
• Current registration for the car.
• Proof of insurance that is current and lists this exact car.
• The title, only if you have a temporary registration permit or you're repossessing.
• A way to pay the city's administrative fee.

Watch how you pay. TPD takes cash only in the exact amount, with no coins and no split payments. It also takes cashier's checks, money orders, and credit or debit cards if the card holder is there.

You'll leave with a release form. Take it to the tow company, along with your ID and proof you own the car. The tow company charges its own towing, mileage and storage. Storage adds up for each calendar day, even part of a day. So once the car can be released, go soon.

What if my car is being held as evidence?

Then the steps above don't apply. TPD says to call the detective on the case. If you don't know who that is, start with 520-791-4440 and ask.

What if it was an off-road ticket?

If TPD cited you under the city's off-road rule, Tucson City Code 11-70.1, the process is different. TPD says you should get a quick Tucson City Court date, set within two days of the ticket. The judge decides about the car. This impound isn't part of the 20-day hold, and you don't need TPD paperwork first.

Can I fight a Tucson impound?

Yes. You can ask TPD for a hearing in writing or in person. TPD must receive your request within 10 days of the date on the Notice of Impound. Miss that window and you won't get one.

The hearing is free and informal. You don't need a lawyer. It can happen by phone. You explain why the impound was wrong. Your traffic ticket's outcome doesn't decide it either way.

What if a Pima County deputy towed it?

Outside city limits, the Sheriff's Vehicle Impound Unit handles release. Get your release there before you call the tow company.

• Address: 1650 E. Benson Highway, Suite B, Tucson, AZ 85714
• Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., closed holidays
• Phone: (520) 351-6105
• Evidence holds: Records Maintenance Unit, (520) 351-4650

Bring a valid license, insurance that matches the car's VIN, and current registration and title. The Sheriff pays close attention to these. If your license or registration has lapsed, you may need to visit the court or the MVD first. Note the shorter hours here. Plan to arrive well before 3:30.

The Sheriff's page warns about one more deadline. If you don't claim the car within 20 days after it becomes eligible for release, the tow company may file for an abandoned title. That can mean losing the car.

What if it was towed near the university?

UAPD impounds go through the UA Police Department at 1852 East First Street. It's open Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Note the payment rule: UAPD does not take personal checks or money orders. For an evidence hold, call 520-621-8273 and ask for Investigations.

My car was towed from a Tucson parking lot. How do I find it?

Go back to where you parked and find the tow-away sign. Under Tucson's private towing ordinance, that sign must list the tow company's phone number and the address where your car can be found.

The ordinance also makes the tow company notify TPD within one hour of the tow. So if there's no sign, or it doesn't list the info, call TPD's non-emergency line at 311. Do the same if the city, police or fire ordered the tow, or if your car sat on a street for more than 72 hours (Tucson Code 7-518). Our Tucson tow cost guide covers what a private lot can and can't charge.

Still nothing? Then the car may really be stolen. Report it to police right away.

What if my car won't start at the tow yard?

A car that sits for weeks in Tucson sun often has a weak battery when you return. Or it was towed after a crash and isn't safe to drive.

Once the yard releases it, you can get help. A jump start may get a sleepy battery going. If the car can't be driven, a car tow can take it to your home or a repair shop. Tell the dispatcher which yard you're at and where the car is going.

Does Sentinel handle impounds?

No. Sentinel doesn't do impounds or private property tows. Only the agency and the tow yard can release your car. Our part starts after that.

Sentinel Towing is a towing and roadside network. A vetted local partner tow company does the job. We text you a locked price before anyone is sent, and we check on you by text until your driver arrives. That's our Stay-With-You Promise. For more on local roads, see our Tucson towing page.

If the car quits again on the way home, pull off as far as you can and turn on your hazards. Arizona drivers must move over or slow down for you. If anyone is hurt or you're stuck in a live lane, call 911 first.

Stuck right now? Call 1-888-TOW-1213, or request help online.

Tucson Impound Questions

Rules change, so check the official source before you rely on it. Sources: Tucson Police: Retrieve an Impounded Vehicle, Pima County Sheriff: Vehicle Impound, UAPD: Vehicle Impounds, City of Tucson: Private Property Towing Ordinance FAQ, A.R.S. 28-3511, A.R.S. 28-775.