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Transport · Germany
Updated September 2026

🚛 My car has been towed — where is it, and how do I get it back?

Direct answer

A towed car is at the municipal pound: call Ordnungsamt / Bürgeramt der Stadt (115) with your plate to confirm and to hear the fee and the opening hours; bring ID, the registration document and a means of payment, and expect a daily storage charge, so go today. If nobody knows where the car is, it may have been stolen — Polizei — Onlinewache (polizei.de). If you think the towing was unjustified (no sign, sign obscured, works started after you parked), pay under protest, photograph the spot, and object; Petitionsausschuss / Bürgerbeauftragte der Länder (epetitionen.bundestag.de) handles complaints about the municipality when the objection is ignored.

Call firstOrdnungsamt / Bürgeramt der Stadt
Report toPolizei — Onlinewache
If that failsPetitionsausschuss / Bürgerbeauftragte der Länder

🗣️ What to say

"My car, plate [number], was parked at [place] and is gone since [time]. Was it towed, where is it, what does it cost to collect, and what are the opening hours? I would also like to know the reason and whether a fine was issued."

🪜 Step by step

  1. Confirm: Ordnungsamt / Bürgeramt der StadtPlate, place, time. Many cities show towed cars online.
  2. Not towed: Polizei — OnlinewacheReport the theft immediately; the plate goes into the search system.
  3. Collect todayStorage fees run daily. ID, registration, payment; a friend can collect with a written authorisation.
  4. Photograph the spotSigns, distance from the corner, any works or temporary signs — before they change.
  5. ObjectTo the towing decision and the fine, in writing, within the deadline; escalate to Petitionsausschuss / Bürgerbeauftragte der Länder if the answer is a form letter.

📇 All contacts

Ordnungsamt / Bürgeramt der StadtPublic-order office: nuisances, noise, waste, registration, lost propertyFor anything the city regulates📞 115🔗 www.behoerdenfinder.de
Polizei — OnlinewacheOnline report, reference number immediatelyAlways — the basis for bank, insurer and platform🔗 www.polizei.de/Polizei/DE/Einrichtungen/Onlinewache/onlinewache_node.html
Petitionsausschuss / Bürgerbeauftragte der LänderComplaints about authorities, inaction, unfair treatmentWhen the authority does not answer or acts unfairly🔗 epetitionen.bundestag.de
VerwaltungsgerichtCourt action against administrative decisions after the objectionWithin one month of the objection decision🔗 www.bverwg.de

❓ Frequently asked

Can they tow for an ordinary parking offence?

Rules vary: some cities tow only when the car obstructs; others tow for any offence in certain zones. The sign at the spot is decisive.

They damaged the car while towing

Note it before you leave the pound, photograph, and claim from the municipality or the towing company in writing.

Temporary no-parking signs appeared after I parked

Most countries require signs to be up for a minimum period (often 24–72 hours) before towing. Ask the municipality for the date the sign was placed.

📎 Sources

Last checked: 2026-09-26

🔎 Common searches

Recognise your own search? The answer above covers all of these.

  • “car towed where is it Germany”
  • “towed car pound fees”
  • “object to towing unjustified”
  • “car gone towed or stolen”
  • “towing complaint municipality”

🧭 Is this still correct?

We check this information carefully, but phone numbers, websites and rules change — and sometimes we get something wrong. Spotted a mistake or a change? Let us know below.

🔗 Related questions

🅿️Parking fine→🚗Hit and run→🚲Bike stolen→🚇Transport card lost→

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