Learn about towing procedures and rates

Non-consensual Towing and Storage Fees

There are maximum allowable rates established by the Department of Motor Vehicles for non-consensual towing and storage.

Non-consensual tows are defined as any tow from a highway, street or adjacent area ordered by a law enforcement officer when the arrangements with the tower are made by the officer or the law enforcement agency. Non-consensual also includes any tow from private property when the arrangements with the tower are not made by the owner or operator of the motor vehicle.

The Department of Motor Vehicles does not regulate towing and storage rates when performed at the request of the vehicle owner.

See maximum allowable rates for non-consensual effective May 1, 2023:

For vehicles less than 10,000 pounds, there is a set rate for all services necessary to prepare the vehicle for the tow. The rate includes the first two miles of the tow. If winching or exceptional services are performed, extra charges are allowed. There is a set mileage rate after the first two miles. Larger vehicles from 10-26,000 pounds and vehicles over 26,000 pounds have a set hourly rate based on the weight of the vehicle, and mileage is included in the hourly rate.

The maximum, non-consensual towing and storage rates are on file with DMV and are not to be exceeded. Only DMV-licensed dealers and repairers are permitted to obtain a wrecker registration in Connecticut.

Unclaimed proceeds from towed vehicle sales

Under Connecticut General Statute §14-150, any proceeds from the sale of a towed vehicle, after deducting the amount owed for towing and storage, must be held by the tower for one year. During this time, the vehicle’s owner or their authorized representative may claim the funds. After one year, any unclaimed funds will escheat to the State of Connecticut.

Towers performing non-consensual towing can learn more about setting up a holder account with the State of Connecticut, Office of the Treasurer, by click here.

File a Complaint regarding non-consensual towing or storage rates.

CT licensed dealer towing inquiry system

The state of Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) continues to improve its services to customers. That includes a new towing inquiry system that is easily accessed using the Internet.

Purpose of online towing system

This secure system was developed to assist towing companies with notification requirements in connection with nonconsensual tows. It replaces the current system that towing companies use to get owner and lienholder information.

Who can use this system

The towing company must be a Connecticut licensed dealer or repairer, and have at least one wrecker registration in its name, in accordance with section 14-66 of the Connecticut General Statutes.

What the online CT towing system offers

This system allows towing companies to make inquiries 24/7 through an internet portal and receive information immediately. Any licensed dealer or repairer that has one or more wrecker plates may apply for access to the towing inquiry system to get last known owner information from the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Forms to access online system

Dealer Towing Inquiry System Access Request - Form #1 (PDF)
Dealer Towing Inquiry System Authorized User Agreement - Form #2 (PDF)
Towing Inquiry System Authorized User Agreement - Form #3 (PDF)
DMV.TowingPortal@ct.gov
Towing Inquiry System Login

Please complete all required forms and email forms to DMV.TowingPortal@ct.gov. Once we’ve processed your submitted application, you will receive an email, at the email address submitted on your request form, with your login and password to access the towing inquiry system.

Frequently asked questions – CT Towing

What is the towing inquiry system?
The towing inquiry system is a secure information system that was developed to assist towing companies with notification requirements (owner and lienholder) for nonconsensual tows. The towing company must be a Connecticut licensed dealer or repairer and have at least one wrecker registration in its name. (See section 14-66 of the Connecticut General Statutes).

What is a nonconsensual tow?
A nonconsensual tow is the towing or transporting of a motor vehicle that was ordered by a law enforcement officer or traffic authority or without mutual agreement between the vehicle owner and the towing company.

Some examples are private property trespass tows, abandoned vehicle tows, tows for illegal parking and tows from a highway upon request of the police or a traffic authority. (See sections 14-145, 14-150, 14-307).

Who can access this information?
Only a Connecticut licensed dealer or repairer that engages in nonconsensual tows (has at least one wrecker plate) will be able to register to use this system. DMV will authorize up to two (2) authorized users per licensed business. A licensed business is responsible for reporting to DMV when an authorized user of the system is no longer employed by that business.

How do I register for access to the towing inquiry system?
In addition to being a licensed dealer or repairer with one or more wrecker registrations, you must have an approved Dealer Towing Inquiry System Access Request (Form #1) and Dealer Towing Inquiry System Authorized User Agreements (Dealer; Form #2 and Authorized User; Form #3) on file with the CT DMV.

Once approved, you will get an e-mail from Connecticut Interactive LLC (allow 2 days), who will provide you with access to the towing inquiry system. Completed Dealer Towing Inquiry System Access Request and Authorized User Agreements must be e-mailed to DMV.TowingPortal@ct.gov.

All forms need to be fully completed and signed or your request will not be accepted. Each authorized user of the Towing Inquiry System must have their own individual email address to be assigned a user name for the towing inquiry system.

Who signs the authorized user agreement?
The licensed dealer or repairer and each designated user will be required to sign an authorized user agreement. The dealer needs to complete the Dealer Towing Inquiry System Access Request (Form #1).

If you’ve submitted the dealer towing inquiry system access request and the authorized user agreement to DMV.TowingPortal@ct.gov and haven’t gotten a response with a username to access the towing inquiry system within a week there may be a problem with your application. Please review your application and email DMV.TowingPortal@ct.gov.

Why is an authorized user agreement necessary?
When you access the towing inquiry system, you will receive personal information from a motor vehicle record, which is protected from disclosure under state and federal law. You are authorized to receive it to send the notices required by statute, but the system and the information can’t be accessed or used for any other purpose.

Through the authorized user agreement, the system user agrees to comply with the laws regarding use of the system and the information, and acknowledges the criminal and civil penalties for misuse of the system and/or the information.

How do I log into the licensed dealer towing inquiry system?
The licensed dealer towing inquiry system is currently accessible from DMV’s web site. To log into the dealer towing inquiry system please click on the following link: Towing Inquiry System Login. You may save this link to the devise you use to log into the system for easier access.

What information is provided on the towing inquiry system to authorized towers?
The towing inquiry system provides the name and mailing address of the last known owner(s) and lienholder(s) on record at the Department of Motor Vehicles. If a vehicle is not titled in Connecticut, no information will be available.

How do I inquire on the towing inquiry system?
You must enter the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) of the vehicle to get the DMV record information.

How current is the data?
The registration information is the current record information on file at DMV.

Having problems logging into the towing inquiry system?
Get help at CTI_passwordhelp@egov.com

I keep receiving “no record found” message?
Please verify the accuracy of the VIN and reenter it. If you continue to receive “no record found,” it is possible that the vehicle is not titled in Connecticut.

Do authorized users’ passwords expire?
All authorized user account passwords are valid for 90 days, at which point, an authorized user will need to create a new password. This is done for security reasons. An authorized user will begin receiving password expiration notifications 14 days prior to the expiration date.

How Can an authorized user account be disabled?
A request to disable an authorized user account must be sent by email to DMV.TowingPortal@ct.gov and include the dealer towing inquiry system access request form.

The request must include the user’s name, name of the Connecticut licensed dealer/repairer with whom the user is associated, email and dealer/repairer license number. A licensed business should immediately request that the authorized user account be disabled when the user is no longer employed or authorized to act on behalf of the licensed business.

DMV may disable the business account if the company continually fails to report when authorized users leave that business. The DMV will immediately disable any account when there is evidence of misuse by the account user.

Do I have to have a wrecker plate?
With some exceptions, it is illegal to engage in towing and transporting motor vehicles without a wrecker registration. You must have an active wrecker plate and a dealer/repairer license with DMV to be authorized to use the towing inquiry system. If your dealer/repairer license and/ or your wrecker registration expires and is not renewed, your access will be disabled.

I am an out-of-state tower; how do I get Connecticut registered owner information?
Out-of-state towing businesses can get Connecticut registration and lienholder information by completing DMV’s Copy Records Request form found on DMV’s web site at https://www.ct.gov/dmv/lib/dmv/20/29/j23.pdf

Non-consensual towing procedures

Notification and vehicle disposal

Here are the state law procedures for automobiles placed in the custody of licensed dealers and repairers.

Section 1

Section 1: Vehicles abandoned or menace to traffic, will be towed by order of a police officer or traffic authority under Connecticut State Law Title 14 Sec. 14-150.

A nonconsensual tow is the towing or transporting of a motor vehicle (in accordance with the provisions of Connecticut State Law Title 14 Sec. 14-145) for which arrangements are made by order of a law enforcement officer or traffic authority (defined in Connecticut State Law Title 14 Sec. 14-297).

The police agency shall complete DMV "Notice of Motor Vehicle Tow" (form H-114) and mail a copy of that form to the vehicle owner and all lien holders of record if any such vehicle remains unclaimed after 48 hours. The pink copy of the "Notice of Motor Vehicle Tow" must be given to the tower if the vehicle remains unclaimed after 48 hours.

If the vehicle remains unclaimed, the tower must notify the owner and lien holder that the vehicle remains in the tower's possession prior to the filing of DMV "Notice of Intent to Sell or Artificer's Lien" (form H-100).

Note: DMV provides "Notice of Motor Vehicle Tow" (form H-114), "Notice of Intent to Sell (form H-100) or Artificer's Lien" (form H-100A), "Affidavit of Compliance" (form H-76).

Section 2

Section 2: Vehicles towed by order of a municipality for Violation of municipal ordinances per Connecticut State Law Title 14 sec. 14-307 and Connecticut State Law Title 14 Sec. 14-150.

Any owner of a vehicle may request a hearing before a municipal hearing officer by filing DMV "Request for Hearing Contested Tow" (form A-25), (available at any Department of Motor Vehicle Office or any police department) and submitting it to the municipality.

The hearing is conducted under the provision of Connecticut State Law Title 14 Sec. 14-150 (e), (o) and Sec. 14-150-1 to 14-150-4 inclusive of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.
Procedure:

A. The owner of the vehicle must notify the tower that possesses the vehicle that he or she has applied for a hearing. No sale or action may be taken against the vehicle until a hearing decision is rendered.
B. The hearing officer shall promptly schedule the hearing upon receipt of the hearing application.
C. Hold hearing:
i. If it is determined that the vehicle was not a menace to traffic, abandoned, or unregistered: the owner of such vehicle is not liable for any expenses. The department which placed the vehicle in the tower’s custody is responsible for all expenses.
ii. If the owner has already paid all charges and claimed the vehicle: the department which took the vehicle into custody shall reimburse the vehicle owner of all charges based on the hearing officer's decision. If the vehicle remains unclaimed, storage charges will continue to accrue while the hearing and the decision are pending.
iii. If the hearing officer decides that the vehicle was improperly towed: the owner of the vehicle may immediately take possession of it. The lien is dissolved upon the decision of the hearing officer.
D. No action (sale, "Notice of Intent to Sell (form H-100) or Artificer's Lien" (form H-100A) filing, etc.) may be taken against a vehicle by the tower while a hearing or hearing decision is pending.

Section 3

Section 3: Vehicles towed or removed from private property upon request of the owners or lessee of the property per Connecticut State Law Title 14 Sec. 14-145.

The non-consensual tow of a motor vehicle left without authorization on private property.
Excluded vehicles are law enforcement, firefighting, rescue, ambulance or emergency vehicles.
Tower must notify the local police department within 2 hours of towing the vehicle:
1. The notification must be in writing, by fax or by email and the tower must maintain a record of the notification for two years.
2. Within 48 hours of being notified of the tow, the police department must check the VIN in NCIC to see if the vehicle has been reported stolen, and if so, police must notify the reporting department.
3. Vehicle must be identified to the police department - this includes make, model, year, color, registration number (to the extent available), vehicle identification number (VIN), and name and address of registrant.
4. No storage may be charged prior to giving notice of possession to police department.
If vehicle is not claimed within 48 hours, the tower must complete the DMV form "Motor Vehicle Notice of Tow" (Form H-114) and shall mail, by certified mail, copies of the completed form to the owner and to all lien holders of record.

Vehicles subject to a lien

Section 4

Section 4: Vehicles subject to a lien placed on them by a garage keeper under Connecticut State Law Title 14 Sec. 49-61.

The following procedures apply to unclaimed vehicles that the vehicle owner has placed in the custody of the licensee.

If the licensee has received no application to dissolve the lien (payment) on a motor vehicle within 30 days after the date of the completion of work upon such vehicle:
Within 30 days of the completion of the work, the licensee shall notify the commissioner, using Department of Motor Vehicles form "Notice of Intent to Sell (Form H-100) or Artificer's Lien" Form H-100A), that the vehicle is in his or her possession. A fee of $10 shall be enclosed, along with the repair slip/work order that establishes the lien. An "Affidavit of Compliance" (form H-76) will be issued to the tower by the DMV.
The Department of Motor Vehicles will send the licensee the name and address of any lien holder recorded on the certificate of title.
If payment is not made within 90 days, the vehicle may be sold at auction subject to the following:
1. Notification by certified mail to the owner, lessee, and lien holder at least 10 days prior to sale giving the date, time and place of the auction.
2. Advertisement three times in a local newspaper where licensee's place of business is located, commencing at least 10 days prior to sale.
A VIN verification is required and must be performed at a DMV Inspection Lane in Wethersfield.
Vehicle may be sold.
Tower must complete the "Affidavit of Compliance" (Form H-76) issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles for the new owner/purchaser.
Tower must maintain copies of all documentation regarding the vehicle sale for two years.
Any sale in violation of the notice requirements of the general statutes or of the Regulations of State Agencies shall be void.

Section 5

Section 5: Disposal of unclaimed vehicles subject to Connecticut State Law Title 14 Sec. 14-150, 14-145 or 14-307.

Disposal of vehicle with market value of $1,500 or less:
1. Notify owner and lien holder (if any) of possession of vehicle prior to filing of the "Notice of Intent to Sell (Form H-100) or Artificer's Lien" (form H-100A).
2. If vehicle has been in possession of the tower for at least 15 days--
3. Tower must file "Notice of Intent to Sell (form H-100) or Artificer's Lien" (form H-100A) with the DMV and enclose a check for $10.
4. The DMV will send tower the "Affidavit of Compliance" (form H-76) when "Notice of Intent to Sell (form H-100) or Artificer's Lien" (form H-100A) is received.
5. Notification must be given to owner and lien holder by certified mail of pending sale at least five days prior to sale date.
6. A VIN verification is required and must be performed at a DMV Inspection Lane in Wethersfield.
7. Tower may sell the vehicle.
8. Tower must complete the "Affidavit of Compliance" (issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles) and provide "Abandoned Motor Vehicle Sale Notification" (Form H-110) to DMV's Dealers and Repairers Division, Room 102, Wethersfield, CT 06161. See additional contact info here.
9. Tower must maintain copies of all documentation regarding vehicle in file for two years.
Disposal of vehicle with market value over $1,500:
1. Vehicle must be in possession of tower for more than 30 but less than 40 days.
2. Notice to DMV must be given on the "Notice of Intent to Sell (form H-100) or Artificer's Lien" (form H-100A) during the 30-to-40-day window.
3. Tower must notify owner and lien holder of possession of vehicle prior to filing the Department of Motor Vehicle "Notice of Intent to Sell (form H-100) or Artificer's Lien" (Form H-100A).
4. Tower must file "Notice of Intent to Sell (Form H-100) or Artificer's Lien" (Form H-100A) and enclose a check for $10.
5. An "Affidavit of Compliance" (Form H-76) will be sent to tower by the DMV.
6. Tower must hold the unclaimed vehicle a total of 45 days:
7. A registered or certified letter must be sent to the owner of record and any lien holder at least five days prior to sale informing them of the auction date, place, and time.
8. A VIN verification is required and must be performed at a DMV Inspection Lane in Wethersfield.
9. Vehicle may be sold at auction.
10. Tower must execute the "Affidavit of Compliance" (Form H-76) and provide it to the new owner (purchaser).
11. Tower must attach "Abandoned Motor Vehicle Sale Notification" (Form H-110) to the "Affidavit of Compliance" (Form H-76) at the time of sale/ownership transfer.
12. Tower must maintain copies of all documentation regarding the vehicle in file for two years.
A tower may not part out, repair, dismantle or sell any abandoned vehicle unless the proper procedure set forth in law is followed. The following legal requirements also apply to private property tows:
1. The tower shall not rebate or pay money or any other consideration for the privilege of towing or removing vehicles from private property.
2. The vehicle must be stored at the site of the tower's business in a secured storage lot which shall be open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday
  through Friday and be reasonably available on Saturday, Sunday and holidays for the purpose of vehicle redemption.
3. To claim the vehicle, proof of ownership may be requested. Any vehicle owner or agent of the owner shall have the right to inspect the vehicle before accepting its return.
4. Conditional releases, which would release the tower from liability for damages, are prohibited as a condition of release of the vehicle.
5. Itemized receipts are required.
The value of the vehicle is "market value". This is the average trade-in value appearing in the current month's edition of the N.A.D.A. Official Used Car Guide, Eastern Edition. Any disposition of the vehicle is based on "market value."

Should the tower determine that the "market value" is not an accurate estimate of the vehicle's value, the tower must:

Prepare a reasonable estimate of current value.
Provide a statement of the facts on which the estimate is based.
Take pictures of the vehicle to be retained for record-keeping purposes. All licensees are required to retain documents for a period of no less than two years.