Towing a car is a stressful situation that requires quick and competent action. Not only the time it takes to return the car, but also the size of fines, and sometimes the safety of the vehicle, depends on the speed of your reaction. In 2026, evacuation procedures are regulated Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation (Article 27.13) and local regulations, but in practice, drivers are often confused: who to call first, how to check the legality of the detention and where to look for the car after loading.

This article will help you understand the algorithm of actions during evacuation and provide current hotline numbers traffic police, MADI (for Moscow), municipal services of other regions and impound lots. We'll also tell you how track the movement of your car in real time through government services and what to do if the evacuation was illegal. Important: the information has been updated to take into account the latest changes in legislation as of June 2026.

First steps: where to call immediately after evacuation

If you return to the parking spot and do not find the car, don't panic - follow the checklist:

  • 🔍 Inspect the area for signs 3.27 "Stopping prohibited" or 3.28 "Parking prohibited" with signs 8.24 "Evacuation". Their absence may be grounds for appeal.
  • 📱 Take a photo of the parking area, nearby signs and markings - this will be needed for evidence.
  • 📞 Call the hotline traffic police by phone +7 (495) 623-70-70 (for Moscow) or 112 (single emergency number).
  • 💻 Check for fines on the website traffic police or via the app Public services.

In Moscow and the Moscow region, he is responsible for evacuation MADI (Moscow Administrative Road Inspectorate). Their phone number: +7 (495) 539-54-54 or +7 (499) 254-54-54. In St. Petersburg, similar functions are performed State Public Institution "Parking Space Administrator" - call the number +7 (812) 576-20-00.

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If the tow truck has not left yet, you have the right interrupt loadingby presenting your license and documents for the car. According to paragraph 4 of Art. 27.13 Code of Administrative Offenses, evacuation must be stopped when the owner appears before the start of special transport.

How to check where a car was taken: services and databases

After confirming the fact of evacuation, you need to find out which impound lot your car was moved to. To do this, use official resources:

Region Verification service Link Phone
Moscow Portal "Autocode" avtokod.mos.ru +7 (495) 539-54-54
St. Petersburg "Parking in St. Petersburg" parking.spb.ru +7 (812) 576-20-00
Regions of the Russian Federation Unified traffic police portal traffic police.rf/check/auto +7 (495) 623-70-70
All regions Public services (section "Transport") gosuslugi.ru 112 (operator)

To search by license plate on the portal Autocode (Moscow) follow these steps:

  1. Go to avtokod.mos.ru.
  2. Enter the car number in the field "Search by license plate number".
  3. Click "Find" — the system will show the address of the impound lot and contacts.
📊 Has your car been towed at least once?
Yes, in Moscow
Yes, in another city
No, but I know cases from friends
No, never

Impound parking phone numbers: how to contact directly

Contacts for impound lots vary depending on the region. Below is the current list for the largest cities in Russia (data as of June 2026):

  • 📍 Moscow:
    • GKU "AMPP": +7 (495) 539-54-54 (round the clock).
    • Penalty parking lot "North": +7 (495) 485-11-11.
    • Penalty parking lot "South": +7 (495) 388-22-22.
  • 📍 St. Petersburg:
    • State Public Institution "Parking Space Administrator": +7 (812) 576-20-00.
    • Penalty parking lot "Pulkovo": +7 (812) 740-55-55.
  • 📍 Yekaterinburg: State Public Institution "Transport Administration": +7 (343) 312-44-44.
  • 📍 Novosibirsk: MKU "Traffic Management Center": +7 (383) 220-44-44.

When calling the impound lot, please specify:

  • 🔑 Necessary documents to return the car (usually: license, STS, passport, fine payment receipt).
  • 💰 Storage cost (in Moscow - 1,000 ₽/day, in the regions - from 500 ₽).
  • ⏰ Opening hours (some parking lots are open around the clock, others until 20:00).

☑️ Documents for returning the car from the impound lot

Done: 0 / 5

What to do if the evacuation was illegal

According to statistics Motorists' Rights Society, up to 30% evacuations in 2023–2026 were declared illegal. Grounds for appeal:

  • 🚫No sign 3.27 or 3.28 with a sign 8.24.
  • 📏 Incorrect installation of the sign (for example, blocked by branches or advertising).
  • 🚗 Evacuation from a private parking area without the consent of the owner.
  • ⏱️ Exceeding the 15-minute limit for boarding/disembarking passengers (clause 1.2 of the traffic rules).

Algorithm of actions in case of illegal evacuation:

  1. Collect evidence: photos/videos of the parking area, witness statements.
  2. Write a complaint to your boss traffic police or MADI (sample can be downloaded from the website Autoinspectorate.rf).
  3. File a complaint within 10 days from the moment of evacuation (appeal period under Article 30.3 of the Administrative Code).
  4. Contact the court if you are not satisfied with the answer (no state fee will be charged).
Example text of a complaint about illegal evacuation

In the header please indicate:

- Name of the authority (for example, “To the Head of the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate of the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia for Moscow”)

- Your full name, address, contacts

- Number and date of the protocol on the administrative offense

In the text of the complaint, refer to:

1. Lack of legal grounds for evacuation (with reference to paragraph 1 of Article 27.13 of the Administrative Code).

2. Violation of the procedure (for example, a description of the car was not drawn up before loading).

3. Demand to cancel the decision and return the fines paid.

Attach photos and a diagram of the parking area.

If the evacuation is declared illegal, you have the right to:

  • 💵 Refund of fines and storage fees.
  • 🚗 Compensation for moral damage (up to 50 000 ₽ by court).
  • 📄 Cancellation of records of offenses in the traffic police database.
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Even if the evacuation was legal, you can challenge fine amount. For example, in Moscow the fine for parking on the lawn is 5 000 ₽, but the court often reduces it to 1 000–2 000 ₽ in the presence of mitigating circumstances.

How much does it cost to return a car from the impound lot?

The cost of returning the car consists of:

  1. Fine for an offense (from 500 ₽ up to 5 000 ₽ depending on the article of the Administrative Code).
  2. Evacuation payments (in Moscow - 5 250 ₽, in the regions - 3 000–4 500 ₽).
  3. Storage fees (from 500 ₽ up to 1 500 ₽ per day).

Example calculation for Moscow (2026):

  • Parking under the sign 3.27 without a sign 8.24: fine 3 000 ₽.
  • Evacuation: 5 250 ₽.
  • Storage 1 day: 1 000 ₽.
  • Total: 9,250 ₽.

You can pay:

  • 💳 Via Public services (with a 30% discount if paid within 20 days).
  • 🏦 In a bank or through a terminal (without discount).
  • 📱 In mobile applications (SberBank Online, Tinkoff, Yandex.Money).
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If you paid the fine with a 30% discount through Public services, but then they appealed it and won the case, the money will be returned in full (including a discount).

In most cases, evacuation can be challenged on your own, but there are situations when you cannot do without a lawyer:

  • 🚨 The car was towed from damage (scratches, broken glass).
  • 📄 You were refused to return your car without explanation.
  • 💰 They require payment inflated tariffs for storage or evacuation.
  • 🏛️ The case has been sent to court, and you are facing deprivation of your rights.

Cost of car lawyer services:

  • Consultation: 1 000–3 000 ₽.
  • Making a complaint: 5 000–10 000 ₽.
  • Representation in court: 15 000–30 000 ₽.

You can get free help:

  • B Society for the Protection of Motorists' Rights (ozpp.ru).
  • U duty lawyer (under the free legal assistance program if your income is below the subsistence level).
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If the evacuation resulted in loss of goods (for example, there were valuables in the car), you can demand compensation through the court. To do this, you need to provide receipts or other evidence of the items in the car.

How to avoid evacuation: preventive measures

Preventing evacuation is easier than dealing with its consequences. Follow the rules:

  • 🅿️ Park only in permitted places (pay attention to yellow markings 1.10 - it indicates a no-stop zone).
  • ⏰ Use apps to pay for parking (Parking lots in Moscow, Parking SPb, Yandex.Parking).
  • 📲 Connect notifications about fines to Public services or Telegram bots (for example, @avtobot).
  • 🚗 If you leave your car for a long time, take a photo of it and the nearby signs.

In Moscow and St. Petersburg there are free parking for residents. To use them:

  1. Register your car at your place of residence.
  2. Get permission on the site Autocode (Moscow) or Parking SPb (St. Petersburg).
  3. Set sign "Resident" on the windshield.

In regional areas, check local parking regulations - e.g. Kazan evacuated for parking on sidewalks less than wide 2 meters, and in Novosibirsk - for parking closer 5 meters from the pedestrian crossing.

What to do if a tow truck starts loading the car and you pull up?

1. Approach the inspector and present your documents (licence, STS).

2. Demand that the evacuation be stopped with reference to clause 4 of Art. 27.13 Code of Administrative Offences.

3. If they refuse, film the process and call the hotline traffic police or MADI.

4. If the car is damaged during loading, record the defects and request that a report be drawn up.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about evacuation

Can a car with a child inside be towed?

No, this is directly prohibited by clause 5 of Art. 27.13 Code of Administrative Offences. If there is a child under 7 years old (or a disabled person) in the cabin, evacuation is not allowed. However, the inspector may fine the driver on the spot.

How much time is given to pay a fine with a discount?

20 days from the date of the decision. If you pay within this period via Public services, the fine will be reduced by 30%. An exception is repeated violations (for example, parking in a disabled space).

Is it possible to return a car without paying a fine?

Yes, but only if you appealed the evacuation and the court declared it illegal. In other cases, payment of a fine and tow truck services is required to return the vehicle.

What should you do if the impound lot requires you to pay extra for “additional services”?

Request an official price list and receipt. According to the Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 113 of 2012, payment is charged only for evacuation and storage. Any “commissions” or “insurance” are illegal - complain to Rospotrebnadzor.

The car was evacuated at night. Is this legal?

Yes, evacuation is allowed around the clock if a violation is recorded (for example, parking on the lawn or in a yard with a sign 3.27). An exception is if the sign is valid only during the daytime (indicated on the sign).

If your question is not covered in the article, check the current clarifications on the websites traffic police or Autoinspectorate.rf. In controversial situations, consult a lawyer - this will save time and money.