Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

If you believe that your vehicle was towed by the Los Angeles Police Department, Department of Transportation, the City of San Fernando, Sheriff's Department, LA Housing Authority, LA Park Patrol, LA School Police or LA Building & Safety, Black & White Tow, Inc. can provide you assistance in retrieving your vehicle. To make it easier to find your vehicle, you will need to provide us with the license plate number or be able to describe your vehicle (make/model/color) and provide the date and location from which it was towed. The more information you have, the easier it is for Black & White Tow to locate your vehicle in our systems. Answers to commonly asked questions are provided here as a convenience. You may call our Customer Service Center at 818-896-9511 if your question is not answered here.

Who is Black & White Tow, Inc.?

Black & White Tow has been contracted by several governmental agencies to perform the towing, storage, and disposal services for illegally parked or driven vehicles and vehicles towed for investigative purposes. Black & White Tow, Inc. understands that nobody enjoys having a vehicle towed. Black & White Tow believes it shouldn't be a hassle to get it back. Black & White Tow, Inc. is committed to providing a high level of service throughout the vehicle release process. Black & White Tow, Inc. is constantly improving service levels.

Where is my car?

Black & White Tow, Inc. stores vehicles at our storage facilities. You should ALWAYS come to the Black & White Tow, Inc. Customer Service Center at 10857 San Fernando Road, Pacoima, CA 91331.

What do I need to retrieve my towed vehicle?

You need enough information to identify your vehicle, a valid driver's license, and to pay your fees. Additionally, you need either the keys to your vehicle or a police release allowing us to release the vehicle to you without the keys. If the police have a hold on your car, you will need a police department release prior to paying other fees and retrieving your car.

Who authorized the towing of my vehicle?

All tows performed by Black & White Tow, Inc. from the streets of the San Fernando Valley are authorized by law enforcement or another governmental agency. Black & White Tow, Inc. never performs a tow without authorization. The City of Los Angeles generally authorizes tows from driveways, tow-way zones, yellow zones, for outstanding citations, and for other traffic related reasons. The LAPD and SFPD generally authorize tows for accidents, arrests, recovered stolen vehicles, unlicensed drivers, unlicensed vehicles and special events. Occasionally, Black & White Tow, Inc. will tow a vehicle from private property (e.g., a private parking lot). These tows are authorized by an agent of the private property and are performed in accordance with the California Vehicle Code.

What is this going to cost?

Towing rates
$109.50 per hour for Standard Vehicles
$212.50 per hour for Heavy Duty

Storage rates
$33.50 per day (standard vehicles)
$10.00 per day (motorcycles)
$37.50 per day - Heavy Duty (Over 1 ton, under 20 feet)
$48.00 per day - Heavy Duty (over 1 ton, over 20 feet)
$60.00 per day - Heavy Duty (over 1 ton, over 41 feet)

City Of LA Vehicle Release Fee
*$100.00
All storage fees subject to City of LA 10% Parking Occupancy Tax

*Los Angeles City Ordinance #165949
As an Official Police Garage, we are required by Ordinance to collect the above fees for the City of Los Angeles. Any questions regarding the above Ordinances should be directed to the Los Angeles City Clerk at (213) 485-3988

What forms of payment are accepted?

For customers that come into Black & White Tow, Inc.'s Customer Service facility, Black & White Tow, Inc. accepts cash, ATM cards, major credit and debit cards (American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa). We do not accept checks.

What do I do if I believe my vehicle was towed in error?

Black & White Tow, Inc. never performs a tow without authorization from either the LAPD, SFPD or the DOT. If you believe your vehicle was towed incorrectly, you have a right to a hearing to protest the tow. If you were towed by the LAPD, SFPD or DOT, call 818-896-9511 and request a hearing form. You must request a hearing within 30 days of the date of tow.

What if I have a complaint?

Black & White Tow, Inc. provides customer feedback forms here and at all of our locations. If you indicate that you would like to be contacted directly, Black & White Tow, Inc. will follow up with you in the manner you request (i.e., phone, mail, email). Black & White Tow, Inc. is committed to constantly improving service levels. If you have any comments or suggestions about our service please let us know.

What happens if I don’t claim my vehicle?

If you do not claim your vehicle within a certain period of time (a minimum of 15 days for vehicles valued at less than $500, a minimum 30 days for vehicles valued between $500 and $4000, and longer for vehicles valued at more than $4000), Black & White Tow, Inc. will obtain authorization from the DMV to sell your vehicle to recover towing, storage, city administration and other fees, in accordance with applicable law. If the sale price of your vehicle is less than the total amount due, you remain responsible for the balance. If the sale price of your vehicle is more than the total amount due, Black & White Tow, Inc. pays the City any monies requested for outstanding tickets and any balance is then sent to the DMV. Low value vehicles may be sent directly to dismantlers while all higher value vehicles are sold at weekly auctions.