Frequently asked questions.
Answers to commonly asked questions are provided here as a convenience. If your question is not answered here or on our site, please call or visit our Customer Service Center.
Where is the AutoReturn Customer Service Center?
What do I need to retrieve my towed vehicle?
What does towing and storage cost?
Can I pay for my parking tickets at AutoReturn?
What forms of payment are acceptable?
What if my vehicle registration is expired?
What if my driver's license is expired?
What is AutoReturn?
AutoReturn is a towing management company contracted by the City and County of San Francisco. We do not actually issue tickets or order tows. Our job is to manage the safe vehicle transportation, storage and return once a City agency orders a tow.
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About us |
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Where is my car?
You can claim your vehicle at our Customer Service Center at 450 7th Street, San Francisco. All vehicles are stored in one of two San Francisco lots. Find your vehicle and read about our release process here.
To obtain information about your vehicle and initiate the claims process, contact us.
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Find your vehicle |
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Contact us |
Where is the AutoReturn Customer Service Center?
Our Customer Service Center at 450 7th Street, San Francisco. You may also reach us by phone at (415) 865-8200. Our offices are open 24 hours a day, every day of the year, including holidays.
For service and payment details, directions and maps, please visit our Contact us page.
What do I need to retrieve my towed vehicle?
You will need:
- Valid driver's license
- Proof of vehicle ownership or keys for the vehicle
Acceptable forms of vehicle ownership include:
- Valid registration certificate
- Title to vehicle
- Insurance card
- Rental agreement
- Company identification for commercial vehicles
- Police release form — this applies only to SFPD tows
In San Francisco, the Department of Parking & Traffic (DPT) orders most tows.
However, if the Police Department authorized your tow, you will need to get a police department release prior to retrieving your vehicle from AutoReturn.
San Francisco Police Department — 850 Bryant Street, Southern Station (always open) or Room 154 (M-F 9am-3pm).
Who authorizes vehicle tows?
All tows performed by AutoReturn are ordered by either the DPT or the SFPD. AutoReturn never tows without authorization.
The DPT generally authorizes tows from driveways, tow away zones, yellow zones, for outstanding citations, and for other traffic related reasons.
The SFPD generally authorizes tows for accidents, arrests, recovered stolen vehicles, unlicensed drivers, unlicensed vehicles and special events.
AutoReturn also handles vehicles towed from private properties (e.g., a private parking lot). These tows are authorized by an agent of the private property and are performed in accordance with the California Vehicle Code.aaa
What does towing and storage cost?
| Towing fee: | $199.25 |
| S.F. administrative fee: | $186.50 |
| Storage: | |
| First four hours | No Charge |
| Storage fee after four hours | $51.25 |
| Each additional day | $59.75 |
| Transfer fee: (may apply after 24 hours) | $24.75 |
| Dolly or flatbed tow: (additional) | $44.75 |
Other fees may apply.
Please note these fees are for passenger vehicles. Fees for motorcycles and larger vehicles vary.
After 72 hours, the DMV may apply a lien in the amount of $70 or $100 (based on vehicle value).
For vehicles with five or more delinquent parking citations, citations must be paid in full, including any late penalties, before you may pick up your vehicle. AutoReturn accepts parking citation payments on behalf of the City. Community service is not an option once your vehicle has been towed.
For vehicles ordered towed by the San Francisco Police Department, obtaining a police release may involve paying an additional fee.
For a calculation of the total amount you owe, please call (415) 865-8200 or visit our customer service center at 450 7th Street in San Francisco.
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View towing and storage fees as a downloadable PDF. |
Can I pay for my parking tickets at AutoReturn?
Yes, as stated above, AutoReturn accepts payments for any City-issued parking citation on behalf of the City. If your vehicle was towed and you have five or more delinquent parking citations, citations must be paid in full, including any late penalties, before you may pick up your vehicle.
What forms of payment are acceptable?
We accept cash, ATM cards, debit cards, American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa, and personal checks verified through Cross Check, a check-processing service.
A $27.25 processing fee applies to all payments made by phone using Discover, MasterCard and Visa (not American Express).
Any person may pay for a vehicle release if the registered or legal owner is present at AutoReturn's customer service center.
What if my vehicle registration is expired?
If your vehicle registration is expired, you will not be able to retrieve your vehicle until you go to the Department of Motor Vehicles, register your vehicle and bring a valid registration to AutoReturn.
What if my driver's license is expired?
If your vehicle was towed because the driver was unlicensed or had a suspended or revoked license, you will need to bring a valid vehicle registration, a valid California driver's license, and $194 (cash only) to the San Francisco Police Department's S.T.O.P. Program Office.
| SFPD S.T.O.P. Program Office |
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850 Bryant Street, Room 154
Hours: 9:00AM-12:00PM, 1:00PM-3:00PM, Monday through Friday |
SFPD has the authority to impound your vehicle for thirty (30) days. After paying the SFPD fee, you may proceed to AutoReturn to pay the towing and related fees and obtain your vehicle release.
What do I do if I believe my vehicle was towed in error?
We never tow without authorization from either the Department of Parking & Traffic or the San Francisco Police Department.
If you believe your vehicle was towed in error, you have a right to a hearing to protest the tow using the contact information below. You must request a hearing with 30 days of the date of tow. If you are unable to retrieve your vehicle and desire a hearing, you must request a hearing immediately.
Department of Parking and Traffic:
If your vehicle was towed by the Department of Parking and Traffic (DPT), contact the department to schedule a hearing.
| DPT Hearing Division |
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11 South Van Ness Avenue
Hours: Weekdays, 8:00AM-5:00PM (415) 701-5400 |
San Francisco Police Department:
If your vehicle was towed by the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD), you will need to contact the department to schedule a hearing.
| SFPD |
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850 Bryant Street, Room 154
Hours: Weekdays, 9:00AM-12:00PM, 1:00PM-3:00PM (415) 553-1619 |
Private Property Impound (PPI) Tows:
If your vehicle was towed from a private property location, please contact the San Francisco District Attorney's office to discuss your concerns.
| San Francisco District Attorney |
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Hours: Weekdays, 9:00AM-5:00PM
(415) 553-1823 |
What if I have a complaint?
AutoReturn is committed to constantly improving service levels. If you have any comments or suggestions about our service please complete a customer feedback form. Printed forms are also available at all of our locations.
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Feedback |
How do I file a claim?
AutoReturn has in place multiple safeguards to minimize vehicle damage and personal property loss. However, we recognize damage and loss does occur in a small number of cases. We have a zero-tolerance policy toward missing property and take seriously all claims.
Claims should be filed immediately — while still on our lot, if possible. Please ask a customer service or storage specialist staff member to assist you.
Download our claim form or fill out a printed form at any of our locations. You may also initiate a claim on-line.
We are committed to a fast and fair resolution of all claims, and respond to all claims within two business days. We determine the validity of all claims based on the type of damage, the vehicle condition report at the time of tow and footage from our high-resolution video lot surveillance cameras. We do not tolerate fraudulent claims and will pursue them aggressively up to and including criminal prosecution.
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Claims form |
What happens to unclaimed vehicles?
AutoReturn requests authorization from the DMV to sell unclaimed vehicles. This is to recover towing, storage, city administration and other fees, in accordance with applicable laws.
A vehicle is deemed unclaimed when it has been left for 15 days (if valued at less than $500), 30 days (if valued between $500 and $4000), and longer for vehicles valued at more than $4000.
If the sale price of a vehicle is less than the total amount due to AutoReturn, the owner remains responsible for the balance.
If the sale price of a vehicle exceeds AutoReturn fees, we pay the S.F. administrative tow fee, outstanding DPT tickets, and applicable SFPD fees on the vehicle. Any remaining balance is paid to the California Department of Motor Vehicles.
Low-value vehicles are sold to vehicle dismantling operators. Higher-value vehicles are sold at AutoReturn weekly auctions.
