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Parking rules in the District change by block and by time of day, and rush-hour restrictions are strictly enforced. This page explains where to start if your car was booted or towed, what DC’s Department of Public Works says, and how to request a tow or roadside help.
If your car was towed in Washington, DC
Start with the official source: DC Department of Public Works: Booting and Impoundment. It is the place to confirm where a city or police tow was taken, current fees, hours and what to bring. For private-lot tows, the sign at the lot entrance usually names the tow company to call. Our impound lot guide and impound release cost estimator help you plan the pickup.
What DC DPW says about impounds
The DC Department of Public Works booting and impoundment page explains that vehicles with certain unpaid tickets can be booted and then towed, names the city’s impoundment facilities, and gives a dispatch number to learn where a car was taken. It says all fines and fees, including tickets tied to other vehicles in the owner’s name, must be paid before a car is released. It lists debit and credit card payment, notes that cash and checks are not accepted, and says you need your payment receipt, vehicle registration and a valid driver’s license. Someone other than the owner needs a notarized authorization. Read the page for current hours and rules.
Driving and breakdowns in DC
DC streets and nearby parkways can be congested with limited shoulders. If you break down, turn on hazards, move out of travel lanes if you can, and give the provider your street, direction and nearest cross street or exit. Traffic circles and one-way streets can make access tricky, so precise directions help.
DPW’s page advises reading parking signs carefully, including meter, rush-hour and street-cleaning restrictions. Take a photo of the signs where you park. Summer heat and winter cold both strain batteries, so a jump start is a common request; if the car won’t stay running, a tow to a shop is the safer choice.
Washington, DC local rules at a glance
- The DC DMV fee table lists a $100 tow fee ($275 for oversized vehicles) and a $75 boot fee.
- Storage is $20 a day if the car is not picked up within 24 hours.
- You must pay all outstanding tickets to get the car back.
Source: Booted/towed vehicle fees (dmv.dc.gov). Last checked Oct 31, 2026. Fees and rules can change, so confirm on the official page before you go.
Asking for a tow or roadside help in Washington, DC
If you are hiring a tow yourself, get the full price in writing before the truck is hooked up, and ask how you can pay. Our checklist for choosing a tow company and avoiding scams covers what to ask, and the tow cost calculator gives a ballpark range.
Washington, DC towing guides on TowCars.com
- My car was towed: what to do next
- Stuck on the highway: roadside checklist
- Tow bill checker
- Tow yard storage fee limits
- How to choose a tow company and avoid scams
Frequently asked questions
DC DPW’s booting and impoundment page gives a towing dispatch number and lists the impoundment facilities.
The DPW page says payment is by debit or credit card and that cash and checks are not accepted. Confirm on the official page.
No. We pass your free quote request to independent providers who serve the area. They set their own prices and terms.
Need a tow or roadside help in Washington, DC? Tell us what happened and where, and we’ll pass your request to independent providers who serve the area.
