The situation when you leave a store or office and your car is not there causes shock and confusion for any driver. The first thought is often theft, but in large cities the most likely reason is forced evacuation for violating parking rules. Panic at this moment is the worst adviser, as it prevents you from quickly finding your bearings and taking the right steps to return the property.
According to statistics, cars are most often towed for stopping under prohibitory signs or at a pedestrian crossing. It is important to understand that the process of car repossession is regulated Code of Administrative Offenses, and you have clear rights and responsibilities. Knowing the algorithm of actions in the first minutes after discovering a loss will help save time, nerves and money on paying for the impound lot.
In this article, we will look in detail at which services you need to call, how to find a vehicle at a specialized parking lot, and what documents will be required to receive it. You will also learn about the intricacies of the law, which allow you to pick up a car directly from the tow truck’s path if you arrived at the site before the forklift moved off.
First steps when discovering a missing car
Before dialing a phone number, look around carefully. If you are in an area where parking is limited, there may be a sign nearby 8.24 “The tow truck is working”. However, even its absence does not guarantee that the car was not towed, since the signs could have been dismantled or damaged. Your primary task is to confirm the fact of evacuation, not theft.
The fastest way to get information is to call the unified information service or the traffic police duty station in your region. There are special hotlines in Moscow and St. Petersburg, whose operators have access to a database of moved vehicles in real time. When calling, be prepared to provide the license plate number and, preferably, the make and model of the vehicle.
⚠️ Attention: If the dispatcher reports that the car is wanted as stolen, you must immediately go to the police station to file a statement. In case of evacuation, the algorithm of actions is completely different and requires a visit to the impound lot.
In parallel with the phone call, it makes sense to check specialized mobile applications or web services that aggregate evacuation data. For example, in the capital of the Russian Federation, information about the movement of a car appears in the system almost instantly after a traffic police inspector or assistant parking attendant.
- 📞 Call the traffic police duty station or the city’s unified information service.
- 📱 Check the status of the car through official mobile applications (for example, “Parking in Russia”).
- 👀 Look at the cars parked nearby - sometimes a tow truck is parked in the next block.
- 📷 Take photographs of the place where the car was parked in case you need to appeal.
Where to call: contacts of services in major cities
Telephone numbers for information about towed vehicles vary by region. In megacities, separate dispatch centers have been created, operating around the clock. It is important to remain calm and dictate details clearly as the operator processes hundreds of calls per hour.
In Moscow the main operator is Administrator of the Moscow Parking Space (AMPS). To contact them there is a short number, as well as city lines. In St. Petersburg, coordination functions are performed by “Gorparking” or the duty units of the regional traffic police departments. In other regions, information is most often provided directly by the traffic police officer on duty.
Below is a table with the main contacts for the two largest cities in Russia, where the evacuation problem is most acute. Save these numbers in your phone in advance so as not to waste time searching at a critical moment.
| City | Service | Phone | Operating mode |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moscow | AMPP (Hotline) | +7 (495) 539-54-54 | Around the clock |
| Moscow | Traffic Police (Duty Department) | 102 (from mobile) | Around the clock |
| Saint Petersburg | Gorparking | +7 (812) 680-33-33 | Around the clock |
| Saint Petersburg | traffic police | +7 (812) 573-29-99 | Around the clock |
When you call, the operator will ask you for your car number. If the car is indeed towed, you will be informed which one. specialized parking it's delivered. Write down the address and operating hours of this parking lot, as they may differ from the standard schedule of government agencies.
Save the contacts of evacuation services in a separate group in the phone book or write it down on a piece of paper in the glove compartment, since in a stressful situation your memory may fail.
Finding a car in a specialized parking lot
After receiving information about the storage location of your vehicle, you need to plan your route to the impound lot. Please note that the vehicle release process may take time, especially during peak hours or immediately after street clearance raids.
Before you go to pick up your car, make sure you have all the necessary documents on hand. Without a complete package of papers, the parking lot employee has every legal right to refuse to issue a car. This is a security measure designed to prevent theft and illegal seizure of other people's vehicles.
Sometimes it happens that the database has not yet been updated, and the operator says that the car is not listed. This may mean that the tow truck is still on the way or the protocol has just been issued. In this case, it makes sense to wait 20-30 minutes and call back.
- 📍 Find out the exact address of the parking lot and its opening hours.
- 🕒 Calculate your travel time taking into account traffic jams so as not to be late before closing.
- 📄 Prepare originals of all documents for the car and driver.
- 💳 Take a bank card or cash with you to pay for services.
The car is issued only to the owner or a person who has a notarized power of attorney with the right to drive and dispose of it.
Required documents to return the car
The most critical stage is the preparation of documentation. The list of required papers is strictly regulated. If you are the owner of a car, you will need a passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation, vehicle registration certificate (VRC) and a driver's license.
In a situation where it is not the owner who comes to pick up the car, but an authorized person, the list of documents expands. It is necessary to provide the original power of attorney, which states the right to receive the car from the impound lot. Copies of documents, even certified ones, are most often not accepted by traffic police or parking officials.
⚠️ Attention: If the STS is left in the glove compartment of the towed car, you first need to go to the impound lot, write an application for access to the car to remove documents, and only then return for the car. This procedure is free, but requires additional time.
For legal entities, you will need an extract from the register of legal entities, a power of attorney from the organization for the representative and a waybill (if the car is commercial). The absence of any of these documents will result in refusal of issuance.
☑️ Documents for receiving a car
Payment of fines and tow truck services
The financial issue is often the most painful. Since 2016, Russia has had a rule that allows you to pick up a car from an impound lot. no prepayment fine and evacuation services. You must pay these costs within 60 days of receiving the order.
However, if you want to return your car right away and avoid additional storage fees (which start accruing after the first 24 hours or immediately, depending on the region), it's better to pay on the spot or through the app. Tariffs for removal and storage are set by local authorities and may vary significantly.
You can pay the fine through the State Services portal, banking application or terminals. If paid within 20 days from the date of the decision, many types of violations are subject to 50% discount. This applies to parking fines, but does not always apply to the cost of tow truck services.
- 💸 The cost of evacuation depends on the engine power and type of vehicle.
- ⏳ The first day (or 24 hours) of storage is often free.
- 📉 By paying the fine in the first 20 days, you can save 50% of the amount.
- 🧾 The payment receipt must be kept and presented if necessary.
How to pick up a car if the tow truck has not left yet
The legislation provides for a scenario when the owner appears on site before the tow truck with the loaded car has moved off. In this case, you have every right to demand that the car be unloaded. This is the only way to avoid towing and storage costs.
To exercise this right, it is necessary to eliminate the reason for the detention. That is, if you were standing under a “No Stopping” sign, you need to immediately move the car to the permitted place. The traffic police inspector or the parking inspector is required to draw up a report on the offense, but does not have the right to prevent you from driving a car if you are on the spot.
It is important to record the fact of your presence. Record the process on video, record the time and requirements of the employee. If you are denied unloading, refer to Part 1.1 of Article 27.13 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation. However, if the tow truck has already started moving, stopping it legally is almost impossible and life-threatening.
What to do if an inspector demands to pay a fine on the spot?
The requirement to pay a fine on the spot in cash before receiving a decision is illegal. The fine is issued by mail or through State Services. You can only pay for towing services on the spot if you want to pick up the car right away, but this can also be done later.
Frequently asked questions about evacuation (FAQ)
Is it possible to pick up the car at night?
The operating hours of specialized parking lots depend on the region and the specific institution. In Moscow, for example, many parking lots operate around the clock, but to pick up a car at night, you may need to call in advance and agree with the inspector on duty.
What happens if you don't pick up your car for months?
The car will be stored in an impound lot, and the storage bill will increase. If the owner does not show up for a long time, the car may be considered unclaimed and sold through an auction, and the proceeds used to cover the costs of storage and towing.
Is it possible to appeal an evacuation?
Yes, if you believe that the evacuation was carried out illegally (for example, the signs were hidden by foliage or were missing), you can file a complaint with the traffic police or the court within 10 days. If successful, the costs of evacuation and storage will be reimbursed.
Do you need a compulsory motor liability insurance policy to get a car?
Formally, the MTPL policy is not included in the list of mandatory documents for issuing a car from the impound lot in accordance with the administrative regulations. However, for further driving the car on public roads, a valid insurance policy is required.
Who is responsible for damage during loading?
All damage received during the evacuation process is recorded in the report. If you find new scratches or dents upon receipt, they must be included in the acceptance certificate and demand compensation for damage from the organization that carried out the evacuation.
Remember that knowledge of your rights and a clear algorithm of actions are the best weapons against bureaucracy and stress. Take care of your cars and park only in authorized places so as not to have to visit the impound lot.