Car towed in Albuquerque? Lookup and fees
Checked Nov 15, 2026 against official sources. We don't have your car: use the official lookup below.
Find your car
Police non-emergency line, also written 505-242-COPS. Ask which tow company took your car and whether there is a police hold.1
Other ways to check:
- Albuquerque 311 Community Contact Center · 505-768-2000: City call center for non-emergency questions. You can also dial 311.1
- APD Auto Theft Unit · 505-768-2369: Call if your car was held for a VIN check or as a possible stolen vehicle.1
Towed from a private lot (apartment, store)? Private-lot and apartment tows are not handled by the police rotation. They fall under the state towing rules for New Mexico, so see the statewide rates and rights. Police may still be able to tell you which company towed your car if the tow was reported.
Albuquerque Police do not run a city impound lot. They call the on-call tow company from a rotation list, and your car goes to that company's tow yard. Call the police non-emergency line at 505-242-2677 or the 311 center at 505-768-2000 to find out which tow company has your car.
Albuquerque impound lots: addresses and hours
Albuquerque does not publish one list of impound lots. Towed cars here go to private storage lots. Use Albuquerque Police non-emergency line to find which one, then call it for hours and payment.
How much it costs to get your car out in Albuquerque
| Fee | Amount | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
City release fee for police impounds3DetailsCity code says impound charges and other required fines or fees must be paid before release, but no dollar amount is listed there. | Not verified | Police-ordered |
Estimate your bill
Got your receipt? Check it for overcharges
Type what the lot charged for each line. We flag anything above a confirmed legal cap.
What to bring
Albuquerque lots do not publish one list. Most ask for a photo ID, proof of ownership (registration or title) and proof of insurance. New Mexico rules mention: Proof of ownership.
More detail, including when the car is not in your name: what to bring to the impound lot.
Local rules and how to contest
- When police order a tow, the officer requests the on-call tow company from a rotation list. The officer can let you call your own tow truck if traffic and response time allow.
- Police must give you a copy of the Tow-In Report, or put it in your property if you were arrested. It names the tow company, so check it first.
- If officers could not reach the owner, they complete a Towed Vehicle Notification. Records at [email protected] receives paper tow reports.
- A police hold can be placed on a tow for things like a warrant or a VIN check. A hold for a search warrant is limited to 14 days. After that the tow company can release the car unless the hold is extended.
- A car held for investigation or as evidence is released only on written order of the officer or the Chief. The city pays towing and storage if you were not involved in the crime behind the impound.
- To get a car released after a city impound, you must show proof of ownership and proof of insurance, then pay the accumulated impound charges directly.
- If you want a hearing on whether the impound was valid, ask the garage for a receipt for what you paid. You get a refund if the hearing finds the impound was not valid, and you lose the money if you skip the hearing or the impound is upheld.
- Cars used as evidence in serious cases may be at the Metropolitan Forensic Science Center or the auto theft garage instead of a tow yard.
New Mexico rules that apply
New Mexico sets statewide maximum rates for all nonconsensual tows, including trespass tows from private lots. The statewide wrecker tariff caps the hookup for a car at $100 and storage at $10 to $20 a day depending on how secure the lot is. You can get personal items out for free during business hours, and tow companies must take cash plus a card or check.
- Drop fee release: Not confirmed yet.
- Your belongings: Unless police ordered a hold, the owner can inspect the car and remove personal property for free during normal business hours by showing proof of ownership.
- Hearing: If you dispute the charges or think the tow was illegal, the tow company must give you a written statement explaining how to file a complaint with the state transportation department.
Think the tow was wrong?
Questions
How do I find my towed car in Albuquerque?
Use Albuquerque Police non-emergency line or call 505-242-2677. Police non-emergency line, also written 505-242-COPS. Ask which tow company took your car and whether there is a police hold..
My car was towed from a private lot in Albuquerque. Where is it?
Private-lot and apartment tows are not handled by the police rotation. They fall under the state towing rules for New Mexico, so see the statewide rates and rights. Police may still be able to tell you which company towed your car if the tow was reported.
Sources
Last checked Nov 15, 2026. Fees and rules change: confirm with the lot or agency before you go. Spot an error? Tell us.
- Police Department Phone Directory, City of Albuquerque. Checked Nov 15, 2026.
- APD Procedural Order 2-48 Towing Services (APD SOP 2-48), Albuquerque Police Department. Checked Nov 15, 2026.
- Albuquerque Code of Ordinances 8-5-2-8 Release of Vehicles; Fees (ROA 1994 § 8-5-2-8), City of Albuquerque. Checked Nov 15, 2026.
- Census Bureau Vintage 2024 city and town population estimates (SUB-EST2024), U.S. Census Bureau. Checked Nov 15, 2026.