What Happens When Your Car Gets Towed in Anchorage?
Few things ruin a day faster than discovering your car is gone. Maybe you came out of a store to an empty parking space, or an officer had your vehicle towed after a traffic stop. Whatever the reason, it's helpful to know what happens next and how to retrieve your car.
If your vehicle was towed in Anchorage, the process is straightforward but requires a few specific steps and documents.
Confirm That Your Vehicle Was Towed
Before assuming the worst, confirm that your car was actually towed and not stolen.
Contact the Anchorage Police Department's Impounded Vehicles line at (907) 343-4575 to inquire about the status of your vehicle and determine which company is responsible for its impoundment.
If your vehicle is impounded at Vulcan Towing, you can use our impound search tool to verify if it is in our system.
If your vehicle was towed at the direction of the Municipality of Anchorage, it may be stored with a contracted company, such as Vulcan Towing & Recovery.
Why Vehicles Are Towed or Impounded in Anchorage
The Anchorage Police Department may impound or tow vehicles for several reasons, including:
Driving without insurance
Driving with a suspended, revoked, or canceled license
Operating under the influence (DUI)
Having more than $1,000 in unpaid traffic citations
Parking a vehicle in a hazardous location
Expired registration for over one year
Abandoned or junked vehicles
Vehicles held as evidence after a crime
If your vehicle was towed during a traffic stop, the officer on the scene will inform you of its destination. If it was towed while parked and unoccupied, you will need to contact APD or the Municipality’s Civil Division to find out which tow company currently holds it.
Steps to Retrieve Your Vehicle
Once you have confirmed where your vehicle is located, follow these steps to get it released:
Gather your documents:
Government-issued photo ID (such as a driver’s license)
Current vehicle registration
Proof of valid insurance
If you are not the registered owner, a notarized power of attorney
Contact the Municipality of Anchorage:
Call (907) 343-4575 or email civilimpounds@muni.org during business hours (Monday–Friday, 12 p.m.–4 p.m.)
Pay the required administrative fees and obtain a release form.
Schedule an appointment with Vulcan Towing:
Call (907) 349-8697 or visit Vulcan Towing’s impound page.
Bring your identification, insurance, registration, and proof of payment.
Be prepared to pay towing and storage fees in cash, as impound transactions at Vulcan are cash only.
Bring a licensed driver:
If you do not have a valid driver’s license, someone with a valid license must come with you to drive the vehicle out of the lot.
Accessing Personal Items
If you only need to access your car to retrieve personal belongings (like medication, registration, or a child’s car seat), you can do that without removing the vehicle from impound.
Bring your photo ID and proof of ownership.
A one-time access fee of $125 may be required.
Access is limited to 20 minutes, and appointments are required.
On-Scene Release
If you arrive while your vehicle is being towed, you may stop the tow by paying up to half the posted towing rate on scene. The driver must allow this payment if the vehicle has not yet been removed.
For private property tows, tow companies are also required to allow the vehicle owner to pay and release the car before leaving.
After-Hours Release
Towing companies in Anchorage must provide a contact number for after-hours releases and be able to release vehicles within one hour of a call. Always check the towing company’s listed hours and procedures before arriving to avoid additional fees.
What Happens If You Do Not Retrieve Your Vehicle
Vehicles not claimed within the required time may be sold at auction. If your car was impounded as part of a criminal case or DUI, additional administrative fees and impound periods may apply.
For example, a vehicle impounded after a DUI typically serves a 30-day impound. The registered owner must pay the Municipality’s $410 administrative fee, as well as towing and storage fees, and may be required to post a $250 bond if an early release is granted.
If you fail to retrieve your car after the impound period, the vehicle and its contents may be forfeited and sold.
Summary
When your car is towed in Anchorage, the process can feel overwhelming. Still, it follows clear steps: confirm the tow, gather your documents, pay fees to the Municipality, and then contact the towing company to retrieve your vehicle.
Vulcan Towing & Recovery collaborates closely with the Municipality of Anchorage to assist residents in recovering their vehicles quickly and safely. If your car is in our lot, we’ll guide you through each step and make sure you know exactly what to bring and when to arrive.
For details or to schedule an appointment, visit vulcantows.com/impounds or call (907) 349-8697.
Notice:
All fees and prices mentioned in this article are provided for illustrative purposes and are subject to change without notice. Actual costs may vary depending on the circumstances of the tow, including municipal fees and the towing company's policies. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, please contact the Municipality of Anchorage or Vulcan Towing & Recovery directly.