Did I Park Right Was my car towed in Chicago?
You can search Chicago’s tow records by license plate below: the list covers about 90 days of City tows and moves, and updates daily. A match shows the pound, its phone number and an inventory number. Private tow companies aren’t on it, so no match doesn’t clear it. Your plate goes straight to the city.
City of Chicago Towed Vehicles data · Updated daily by the city
If your plate isn’t found
- Check it was there. Make sure you’re on the right block.
- Check the state and the plate. About 1 in 11 records in the city’s list has no plate number, so a real tow can fail to match.
- Think about who towed it. Private lots use their own tow companies, and those aren’t on this list. Look for the tow company’s sign in the lot, then call it.
- Use the official searches. The city’s vehicle search and the police Vehicle Tow/Steal Search. The Auto Pound line is (312) 744-4444.
- Still nothing? Report it to the police as stolen.
What it costs to get it back
Fees grow every day the car sits there, so move fast. For a vehicle under 8,000 pounds, the city’s towed vehicle page lists $250 for the tow and $50 a day for storage, with a $1,500 storage maximum. At 8,000 pounds or more it’s $350 and $100 a day.
You’ll also owe any parking, standing and compliance tickets that have reached final determination on vehicles registered in your name. Pounds take cash, credit or debit cards, and US Postal Service money orders. Questions about a payment plan: (312) 744-7275.
Avoid the next tow
The winter overnight ban starts December 1 at 3 AM, snow or not, on listed streets. A car left too long can be treated as abandoned.
Where towed cars go
In the city’s list from 2026-08-04 to 2026-11-01, 6,965 cars went to the places below. Most go to one of two pounds, so check which one before you travel.
Pounds in the city’s list
| Place | Share of tows | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| 701 N. Sacramento | 60% | (773) 265-7605 · (773) 265-1846 |
| 10300 S. Doty | 36% | (773) 568-8495 · (773) 785-9752 |
| 400 E. Lower Wacker | 4% | (312) 744-7550 |
City of Chicago Towed Vehicles data, read 2026-11-01. Share of the last 90 days.
Know exactly where you left it
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What to do next
Quick answers
How do I find out if my car was towed in Chicago?
Search your plate above, then try the city’s vehicle search and the Chicago Police Vehicle Tow/Steal Search, or call (312) 744-4444.
Do you keep my plate?
No. Your browser sends it straight to the city’s data service. It doesn’t reach our server and it isn’t in the page address.
My plate isn’t found. Is my car safe?
Not necessarily. Private tow companies aren’t on the list, and about 1 in 11 records has no plate number.
Sources: City of Chicago — Towed Vehicles · City of Chicago — Vehicle search · Chicago Police — Vehicle Tow/Steal Search · City of Chicago — Relocated and towed vehicles
Reviewed : the tow list and pounds read from City of Chicago data · how we check · report an error