Contest a Tow

Contest a Vehicle Tow Ordered by SFMTA Enforcement 

If you believe your vehicle was towed in error, you may contest the validity of the tow by scheduling a hearing within 30 days of the tow. The date selected for a hearing does not need to be within 30 days. If your vehicle is worth $500 or less and you have not retrieved it from storage, you must request a hearing within 10 calendar days of the date of the tow.  

Schedule a Hearing 

Hearing Location (accepting mail-in hearings while office is closed to the public)

To Contest a Tow Ordered by SFPD

To contest a tow ordered by the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD), you must appear in person at the police department.  For more information visit SFPD's tow page.  To listen to a recorded message with SFPD tow information call 415.553.1619.

To Stop Accrual of Storage Fees

Storage fees accrue daily and you are responsible for the payment of all towing and storage fees.  You should get your vehicle out of Impound immediately to stop the accrual of storage fees even if you believe the vehicle was towed in error.  If you do not pay the towing and storage fees and remove the vehicle from Impound, storage fees will continue to accrue.  If you choose not to remove your vehicle from Impound during the hearing process, you are responsible for all towing and storage fees if you do not prevail at your hearing.  If you cannot afford to pay the fees to get your vehicle out of Impound, you should immediately schedule a hearing by calling 415.701.5400.  If you prevail at your hearing, a refund will be mailed to you 4-6 weeks from the date of your hearing.

Unacceptable Grounds For Dismissal Of Tow Fees

Financial hardships or personal circumstances will not exempt the owner from paying the appropriate administrative fee, and all other tow fees, as a result of contesting a vehicle tow.  Hearing officers will only determine if the tow is legal.

Low-Income?

Visit the Low Income Tow page for information on how to receive certain limited waivers on tow fees and storage.

Experiencing Homelessness?

Visit the Low Income Tow page for information on how to receive certain limited waivers on tow fees and storage.

First Tow?

Visit the First Tow page for information on how to receive a reduction in the administrative fee.  All other fees still apply.

Contest a Tow and Scheduling

Schedule a Phone or Video Hearing

OR

Submit your Tow Protest in Writing 

If your vehicle remains impounded and you are unable to manage or pay for its release, you are entitled to a hearing within 48 hours of the tow date and time, excludingweekends.  Contact our Tow Hearing Coordinator at 415-701-5400 to schedule a phone or video hearing with a hearing officer.

Video Capture of Public Activity on Muni Vehicles

The SFMTA relies upon both audio and video for the purpose of regularly monitoring safety, security and transit operation issues that pertain to the public operation of all of Muni’s Metro rail cars and buses.  These audio and video recordings may be used by SFMTA Hearing Section officers to determine the responsibility for any injuries or other transit-related concerns that arise during transit operations. These recordings are made in the usual course of business and are retained for only a limited period of time.

SFMTA Use of Video Recordings

Recordings of hearings, either by phone or by video (which may include video or audio obtained during SFMTA transit operations), will not be used by the SFMTA for any purpose other than by the hearing officer in order to accurately recall the hearing testimony and other evidence.  These recordings are for temporary use only, and are not intended to be kept in the regular course of business as public records.

Consent Required for Recording Hearing

SFMTA parking citation and tow hearings are not open to the public.  If you would like to record the hearing, please advise the officer or staff person that you intend to record the phone hearing or video hearing session, explain the reason for the recording, and obtain the consent of the hearing officer on the recording itself.