Towing a car in St. Petersburg is a stressful situation that any driver can face. Especially if the car was parked in violation of the rules or came under a special operation (for example, during mass events). The main question at such a moment is where was the car taken? and how to quickly return it. In this article we have collected current for 2026 telephone numbers, online services and step-by-step instructions so that you can quickly find evacuated vehicles and minimize costs.
It is important to understand that the procedure for searching and returning a car depends on the reason for evacuation: violation of parking rules, participation in an accident, suspicion of theft or administrative detention. In some cases, the car may be moved to specialized impound lot, in others - to the temporary traffic police site. We will analyze all scenarios, including unique nuances for St. Petersburg, such as working with the “St. Petersburg Parking” system and evacuation features in the historical center.
Official telephone numbers for finding a towed car in St. Petersburg
The first thing you need to do is call services that deal with towing and storing cars. In St. Petersburg, several organizations are responsible for this, and each has its own telephone number:
- 📞 Unified telephone number of the traffic police in St. Petersburg:
+7 (812) 573-20-02(round the clock). Here they will clarify whether the car was evacuated by the inspector’s decision and where exactly. - 🚗 Evacuation service "Spetstrans":
+7 (812) 324-55-55(open from 8:00 to 20:00). This organization carries out most orders for moving vehicles in the city. - 🏢 Penalty parking administrator:
+7 (812) 438-50-00(daily from 9:00 to 18:00). The address of the impound area and return conditions will be provided here. - 💻 Hotline "Parking in St. Petersburg":
+7 (812) 600-44-44. This is relevant if the evacuation is due to improper parking in a paid parking lot.
When calling, be prepared to call car registration number, make/model and the approximate location where the car was parked before the evacuation. If the evacuation occurred at night or on a weekend, some phones may not work - in this case, use official website of the traffic police or the “Government Services” service.
How to check the evacuation of a car online: 3 working methods
If you don’t want to call or the lines are busy, you can use online services. The following tools are available in St. Petersburg:
- Portal "Autocode" (autocode.rf) — enter the license plate number in the search field, and the system will show whether the car is in the impound lot. The service is paid (from 349 ₽), but provides complete information, including storage address and the amount of the fine.
- Official website of the traffic police — section “Checking fines.” If the car was towed due to an administrative offense, a corresponding entry will appear here indicating the article of the Code of Administrative Offenses.
- Mobile application “Parking in St. Petersburg” — if the evacuation is related to illegal parking, there will be a notification in your personal account with a photo of the violation and the address of the impound lot.
Please note: some services update data with a delay of up to 24 hours. If the car was towed this morning, information may not appear until this evening. In this case, it is better to combine online verification with telephone calls.
If you are not sure that the car has been evacuated (and not stolen), first check it in the database The traffic police are looking for. In case of theft, you need to act through the police, and not through the impound lot.
List of impound lots in St. Petersburg: addresses and opening hours
There are more than 20 specialized impound lots in St. Petersburg and the Leningrad region. Below is an up-to-date list of the largest ones, where towed cars are most often brought:
| Name of the impound lot | Address | Working hours | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Special parking lot No. 1 (Central region) | st. Sedova, 11 | around the clock | +7 (812) 324-55-55 (ext. 1) |
| Penalty parking lot "Autospecial center" | Engels Ave., 154 | 08:00–20:00 | +7 (812) 438-50-00 |
| Traffic police parking lot (Primorsky district) | st. Savushkina, 86 | 09:00–18:00 | +7 (812) 573-20-02 (ext. 3) |
| Special site "Northern" | Vyborgskoe highway, 212 | around the clock | +7 (812) 600-44-44 (ext. 2) |
Before going to the impound lot, check by phone whether your car is there. Some sites specialize in certain areas of the city. For example, cars from the Central District are most often taken to the parking lot on the street. Sedova, and from Primorsky - to st. Savushkina.
What to do if the car is not in the impound lot?
If, after checking all services and calls, it turns out that the car is not listed at the impound lot, three options are possible:
1. The car is still on the way (the tow truck did not deliver it to the place).
2. The car has been stolen (you must file a police report).
3. The evacuation was issued with violations (an appeal through the court or the traffic police is required).
In any case, record all calls and requests - this will be useful for the evidence base.
How much does it cost to return a car from an impound lot in 2026?
The cost of returning a towed car in St. Petersburg consists of several payments:
- 💰 Penalty for violation: from 500 ₽ (unpaid parking) to 5,000 ₽ (parking in a space for the disabled).
- 🚛 Payment for evacuation: 5,200 ₽ (flat rate for cars in St. Petersburg).
- 🏗️ Parking storage: 1,000 ₽ for the first day, then 500 ₽ for each subsequent day.
- 📄 Administrative fee: 500 ₽ (for paperwork).
In total, the minimum amount to return the car will be about 7,000 ₽, if you pick it up on the day of evacuation. If there is a delay of 3 days, the price will increase to 9,000–10,000 rubles. You can pay in cash at the impound lot, by credit card or through Public services (in the latter case there is a 30% discount if paid within 20 days).
⚠️ Attention: If you do not agree with the towing (for example, the car was parked correctly or the signs were missing), do not rush to pay the fine. You have 10 days to appeal through the court or a higher traffic police department. This will require photographs of the parking area, witness statements or dash cam footage.
Step-by-step instructions: how to pick up a car from an impound lot
To return a towed car, follow this algorithm:
- Check the address of the impound lot (by phone or through online services).
- Prepare documents:
- 📄 Owner’s passport or power of attorney (if another person takes the car).
- 🚗 Vehicle registration certificate (or PTS).
- 💳 Money to pay fines and parking services (cash/card).
acceptance certificate and payment receipt.Owner's passport
Vehicle Registration Certificate (CTC)
PTS (if there is no STS)
Power of attorney (if it is not the owner who is picking up)
Money to pay fines and services -->
If the car was towed by court decision (for example, as part of enforcement proceedings), additional bailiff's order. In this case, the return procedure will take longer - up to 5 working days.
Common reasons for evacuation in St. Petersburg and how to avoid them
In St. Petersburg, car evacuation occurs more often than in other regions of Russia. This is due to the high density of transport, a large number of tourist areas and strict control by the traffic police. Here TOP-5 reasons, by which cars are taken to impound lots:
- 🚫 Parking available for disabled people without a sign - fine 5,000 ₽ + evacuation.
- 🚗 Parking on the sidewalk or lawn - fine 3,000 ₽ (in the city center they are evacuated in 90% of cases).
- 🏙️ Violation of paid parking rules (unpaid time or lack of permits for residents).
- 🚧 Parking in the area covered by the “No Stopping” sign (even if the car stops for 5 minutes).
- 🚔 Suspicion of theft or participation in an accident (the car may be towed for examination).
Control is especially strict in St. Petersburg historical center (within the Garden Ring) and tourist areas (Nevsky Prospect, Palace Square, Peter and Paul Fortress). Here, tow trucks work around the clock, and traffic police inspectors record violations using video cameras.
What to do if the car is towed illegally
If you are sure that the evacuation was carried out with violations (for example, there were no signs or the car was parked correctly), you can appeal the actions of the traffic police. To do this:
- Take a photo of the place where the car was parked (no signs, markings, etc.).
- Record witness statements (if any).
- Write a complaint addressed to the head of the traffic police department who issued the decision. The appeal period is 10 days.
- If the traffic police rejects the complaint, file a claim in court (the review takes up to 2 months).
If your appeal is successful, your money for towing and storage will be returned, and the fine will be waived. However, in practice, it is difficult to prove the illegality of evacuation - the court usually sides with the traffic police if there is photographic evidence of the violation.
⚠️ Attention: If the car was towed by mistake (for example, due to a failure in the St. Petersburg Parking system), first contact support by phone +7 (812) 600-44-44. They can quickly resolve the issue without litigation.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about car evacuation in St. Petersburg
How much time is given to pay the fine for evacuation?
The deadline for paying the fine is 60 days from the date of the decision. However, the longer you wait, the higher the amount for storing your car in the parking lot will be (500 ₽ per day). If you pay the fine within 20 days through Gosuslugi, there is a 50% discount.
Is it possible to pick up a car from an impound lot without paying?
No, it is impossible to return the car without paying a fine and tow truck services. An exception is if the evacuation was carried out illegally and you filed a complaint with the court. In this case, the car can be returned against receipt until a decision is made.
What to do if there are things left on the car?
You have the right to pick up personal items from the salon without paying a fine. To do this, you need to come to the impound lot with your passport and draw up a car opening report. However, the car itself will not be given back to you until all payments are paid off.
Are cars with disabled signs towed?
Yes, if the sign of a disabled person was installed illegally (for example, without the appropriate ID). In this case, evacuation is carried out on a general basis. If the sign is genuine, but the car is parked in the wrong place, the inspector may issue a fine without towing.
Is it possible to challenge towing if the car was stolen?
If the car is listed as stolen, towing is considered illegal. In this case, you need to file a complaint with the police about theft, and then appeal the actions of the traffic police through the court. Your car will be returned to you without paying a fine, but the procedure may take several weeks.