How to Recover Your Towed Car in Montreal: Complete Guide
You walked back to where you parked and your car is gone. The sinking feeling is instant. Was it stolen? Towed? And if it was towed — where is it, how much will it cost, and how do you get it back before the daily storage fees eat through your wallet? Getting your car towed Montreal style is a frustrating experience thousands of drivers deal with every year. Whether it was towed for illegal parking, after an accident, during snow removal, or from a private lot, this guide gives you the exact steps to locate your vehicle, understand the fees, and recover towed vehicle as fast and cheaply as possible.
📋 Quick Recovery Steps
Step 1: Call 311 (City of Montreal) or check the Info-Remorquage line at 514-280-4636 to confirm the tow and find your car’s location.
Step 2: Bring your driver’s licence, vehicle registration, and payment (cash or card).
Step 3: Go to the impound lot during business hours and pay the towing + storage fees.
Need towing help, not impound retrieval? Call (514) 483-6944 for 24/7 towing and roadside assistance.
Your Car Is Gone: What to Do in the First 10 Minutes
Before you panic, follow this sequence to figure out what happened:
Confirm You Are in the Right Spot
Double-check the street and block number. Check whether you walked to a different exit. It sounds obvious, but in Montreal’s dense neighbourhoods, parking confusion is common — especially in the Plateau, Old Montreal, and downtown.
Look for Towing Signs
Check the immediate area for “No Parking” signs, temporary signs for construction or events, snow removal notices, or fire hydrant markings you may have missed. These signs confirm you were towed rather than stolen.
Call Info-Remorquage: 514-280-4636
This is the City of Montreal’s towing information line. They can tell you if your vehicle was towed by municipal authorities, which lot it was taken to, and the associated fees. You can also call 311 for general city services.
If They Have No Record — Call SPVM
If the city’s towing line has no record, your car may have been towed by police after an accident or for an obstruction. Call the SPVM non-emergency line at 514-280-2222. If they also have no record, your vehicle may have been stolen — file a police report immediately.
Private Lot? Contact the Property Owner
If you parked in a private lot (shopping centre, restaurant, condo), the property owner may have contracted a tow company to remove unauthorized vehicles. Look for posted signage with a towing company name and phone number on the lot.
Why Your Car Was Towed: The Most Common Reasons in Montreal
Understanding why your vehicle was towed helps you know what to expect when you go to pick it up:
If your car was towed after an accident through one of Montreal’s exclusive towing zones, the tow rates are regulated by bylaw. Our car accident step-by-step guide explains your rights in those situations.
How Much Does It Cost to Recover a Towed Car in Montreal?
The total cost to get your car towed Montreal impound lot depends on three things: the tow itself, storage fees, and any parking tickets attached. Here is what to expect:
⚠️ Time Is Money — Literally: Storage fees accumulate every single day your car sits in the lot. A $200 same-day retrieval becomes $350 after three days and $500+ after a week. Pick up your vehicle as fast as humanly possible. Some lots are only open during business hours — if you are towed on a Friday night, you may not be able to retrieve until Monday, racking up weekend storage.
For a detailed breakdown of all towing service pricing in Montreal, see our complete towing costs guide (2026).
Step-by-Step: How to Recover Your Towed Vehicle
Once you know where your car is, here is exactly how to recover towed vehicle in Montreal:
Step 1: Gather your documents. You will need your valid driver’s licence (or government photo ID), vehicle registration certificate, and proof of insurance. If someone else is picking up the car for you, they need a signed authorization letter from the registered owner plus their own ID.
Step 2: Check the impound lot’s hours. Municipal impound yards in Montreal often have limited hours — some close at 6 PM or are not open on weekends. Private lots may have different hours. Call ahead to confirm you will not waste a trip.
Step 3: Bring payment. Most municipal lots accept cash and debit. Not all accept credit cards — call ahead to confirm. Private lots typically accept all payment methods. Have enough cash as a backup just in case.
Step 4: Pay the towing and storage fees. At the impound office, present your ID and registration. They will show you an itemized bill including the tow fee and per-day storage charges. Pay the total. Ask for an itemized receipt — you may need it for an insurance claim or to contest the ticket.
Step 5: Inspect your vehicle before leaving. Walk around the car and check for any new damage — scratches, dents, broken mirrors, or flat tires. If you find damage that was not there before, document it with photos immediately and report it to the impound office. This documentation is important if you need to file a damage claim.
Step 6: Pay or contest the parking ticket separately. The tow fee and the parking ticket are separate charges. You pay the tow at the impound lot. The ticket is paid through the City of Montreal (online, by mail, or in person). You have 30 days to contest a ticket at the municipal court.
Documents You Need to Recover a Towed Car
Do not show up without the right paperwork — they will turn you away. Here is the complete checklist:
📄 Required Documents Checklist
☐ Valid driver’s licence or government-issued photo ID
☐ Vehicle registration certificate (in your name)
☐ Proof of insurance (not always required but good to have)
☐ Payment method (cash, debit — confirm credit card acceptance in advance)
☐ If someone else is picking up: written authorization from owner + their own ID
☐ If the car is a rental: rental agreement showing your name as authorized driver
☐ If the car is leased: lease agreement showing you as the lessee
💡 What If Your Documents Are in the Car? If your registration and insurance papers are locked inside the towed vehicle, explain this to the impound lot staff. In most cases, they will escort you to the vehicle to retrieve the documents, then process the release. Bring any ID you have on you — even a health card can work as secondary identification.
Need a Tow — Not Impound Retrieval?
Breakdown, flat tire, dead battery, or accident? We tow your car where YOU choose.
(514) 483-6944
Snow Removal Towing: Montreal’s Winter Headache
Snow removal towing is a Montreal winter institution. The city clears streets after major snowfalls, and any car in the way gets towed. Here is how it works:
Temporary “No Parking” signs are posted at least 12 hours before snow removal begins. These are small red-and-white signs placed on poles or attached to existing signage. If you do not move your car before the posted start time, it will be towed.
Your car is moved — usually just a few blocks away. Unlike a normal tow to an impound lot, snow removal tows relocate your vehicle to a nearby cleared street. The city’s Info-Neige service helps you find it.
How to find your snow-relocated car: Call 311, check the Info-Neige Montreal app, or visit the Info-Neige website. Enter your licence plate number and the system shows where your car was moved to.
Cost: You will receive a parking ticket (typically $52–$78) and a tow fee. But you avoid the daily storage charges because the car stays on a public street. Pick it up before the next round of snow removal begins, or it could be towed again.
Can You Contest a Tow in Montreal?
Yes — but with important caveats. Here is when contesting makes sense and how to do it:
✅ Worth Contesting If:
• No “No Parking” signs were posted (take photos of the area)
• Signs were posted less than 12 hours before the operation
• Signs were obstructed, damaged, or illegible
• The ticket has incorrect information (wrong plate, wrong address)
• You have a valid permit for the zone where you were parked
❌ Unlikely to Succeed If:
• You parked in a clearly marked no-parking zone
• You blocked a fire hydrant, bus stop, or driveway
• Signs were posted and you simply did not see them
• Your registration or inspection has expired
• You argue “I was only gone 5 minutes”
To contest, you must pay the tow and storage fees to retrieve your car (you cannot leave it in the lot while you contest). Then file a ticket contestation with the Montreal municipal court within 30 days. If you win, the ticket is cancelled. The tow fee, unfortunately, is typically non-refundable even if the ticket is overturned.
How to Avoid Getting Towed in Montreal
Prevention saves you hundreds of dollars and hours of frustration. Follow these Montreal-specific parking habits:
Read every sign — all of them. Montreal parking signs are notoriously complex with stacked restrictions. A single pole can have 3–4 signs with different rules for different days and times. Read from top to bottom and check the day and time carefully.
Download the Info-Neige app. This city app sends push notifications when snow removal is planned for your street. It is the single best defence against snow removal towing in Montreal.
Watch for temporary signs. Construction, street festivals, film shoots, and special events create temporary no-parking zones. These signs can appear with as little as 12 hours’ notice — check your parking spot every time you return.
Never park within 5 metres of a fire hydrant. This is a guaranteed tow in Montreal — enforcement is strict and there is zero tolerance.
Set parking meter reminders on your phone. Expired meters are the single most common reason for parking tickets in Montreal. Many areas now have the P$ Montréal app for mobile payment and expiry alerts.
Keep your registration and inspection current. Police enforcement sweeps occasionally tow vehicles with expired registration. Keeping your paperwork up to date eliminates this risk entirely.
Towing and Roadside Services You Can Control
Unlike impound towing — where you have no say in what happens — when you call Montreal Towing, you choose the destination, the timing, and the service. Here is what we offer 24/7:
🚛 Flatbed towing — Safe transport to your mechanic, dealership, or anywhere you choose.
🔋 Battery boost — Dead battery is not a tow — just a quick on-site boost and you drive home.
🛞 Tire change — Flat tire fixed roadside so you never need a tow for a simple spare swap.
🔑 Car unlocking — Locked out? We open it without damage in minutes.
🛡️ Insurance towing — Accident towing with direct insurance billing and certified documentation.
We serve every Montreal neighbourhood including Plateau, Old Montreal, Griffintown, Verdun, and the full service area. To make sure you never overpay, read our guide on how to avoid towing scams.
Frequently Asked Questions: Recovering a Towed Car in Montreal
How do I find out where my towed car is in Montreal?
Call Info-Remorquage at 514-280-4636 or dial 311. Provide your licence plate number and they will tell you which impound lot your car is at. For snow removal relocations, use the Info-Neige app or website. If the city has no record, call SPVM at 514-280-2222 to check if police ordered the tow.
How much does it cost to get a towed car back in Montreal?
Expect to pay $200 to $400 or more for same-day retrieval. This includes the tow fee ($100 to $175 for municipal tows), any accumulated storage fees ($15 to $75 per day), and the separate parking ticket ($52 to $180). Costs increase with each day your car remains in the lot, so pick it up as quickly as possible.
What documents do I need to pick up a towed car?
You need a valid driver’s licence or government photo ID and the vehicle registration certificate in your name. If someone else is picking up the car, they need a signed authorization letter from the registered owner plus their own identification. Having proof of insurance is also recommended.
Can I contest a tow in Montreal?
You can contest the parking ticket associated with the tow at the Montreal municipal court within 30 days. Strong grounds include no posted signs, signs posted less than 12 hours before the operation, or incorrect ticket information. However, the tow fee itself is typically non-refundable even if the ticket is overturned. You must still pay all fees to retrieve your car first.
How do I find my car after snow removal in Montreal?
During snow removal, towed cars are relocated to a nearby cleared street — not taken to an impound lot. Use the Info-Neige app, call 311, or check the City of Montreal’s Info-Neige website. Enter your licence plate number and the system shows the street where your car was moved. You will still receive a ticket and tow fee.
What are the impound lot hours in Montreal?
Hours vary by location. Municipal impound yards are typically open Monday to Friday from 7 AM or 8 AM to 6 PM. Some have limited Saturday hours. Most are closed on Sundays and holidays. Private impound lots may have different hours. Always call ahead to confirm before making the trip — arriving at a closed lot wastes time and adds another day of storage fees.
Can someone else pick up my towed car for me?
Yes, but they need a signed authorization letter from you (the registered owner), a copy of your identification, the vehicle registration, and their own valid government ID. Some lots require the letter to be notarized — check in advance to avoid being turned away.
Does insurance cover impound towing fees?
If your car was towed after an accident, the tow and storage fees are typically covered under your auto insurance claim. If the tow was for a parking violation, insurance does not cover it — that is a civil penalty you pay out of pocket. Keep all receipts regardless, as they may be needed for tax or business deduction purposes.
What happens if I leave my car in the impound for too long?
Storage fees accumulate daily. After a certain period (varies by lot, typically 30 to 90 days), the impound lot may begin the process to declare the vehicle abandoned and eventually auction or scrap it. You also continue to receive tickets if your registration expires while it sits. Retrieve your car as soon as possible to minimize costs.
Where can I get reliable towing I actually control in Montreal?
Call Montreal Towing at (514) 483-6944 for any towing or roadside service where you choose the destination, the timing, and the method. We provide flatbed towing, battery boosts, tire changes, car unlocking, and breakdown towing 24/7 across all Montreal neighbourhoods — with upfront pricing and no surprises.
Need a Tow You Actually Control?
You choose the destination. You get upfront pricing. You get a proper receipt.
24/7 towing and roadside assistance across Montreal.
(514) 483-6944