You are about to head back to your car. However, you find out your car is not there? Is it time to panic? Yes, anyone would have freaked out to see their car is missing! Calm down. Don’t panic just yet because your car is probably being towed.
Don’t worry. You will be able to locate the towing site and get your car back.
What should you do? What are the legal procedures for getting it back? Read on as we share more details on the matter.
Why is your car towed?
Your car can get towed for numerous reasons. Here are several causes that you should avoid doing:
- Double park
- Obstructs traffic
- Blocks driveway or intersection
- Parked in a handicapped space
- Abandoned for a lengthy period of time
- Parked in a tow or no-parking zone
Who tows your car?
To begin with, parking in the town or city areas comes under the council’s purview.
Therefore, towing cars or parked in towns and cities fall under the jurisdiction of the local authorities. The local councils in Malaysia are said to be governed with the assistance of the Local Council Acts.
If you find your car is not where you left it, it is possibly towed by the authorities. You may check with your local council. Once you manage to locate the towing site, you may go there to claim your car.
Example: If the location of car towing is in Kuala Lumpur, you may contact Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL).
Please note that you may also get your car towed for failing to pay for your car loan consecutively. In this case, your bank (to which your car is tied with a bank for a loan) will repossess your car.
What can you do if your car gets towed?
There are two things that you can do.
- If you park your car illegally, look for signage. There is usually signage containing information about what number to dial.
- Call the local council’s towing unit to check for your car status (towing).
*Note: If there isn’t signage, you may call your local police precinct to confirm your car’s whereabouts in the event of a car theft.
Towed vehicles claim
These vehicles are usually towed for obstructing the smooth flow of traffic and public complaints.
According to the Road Transport Methods Amendments 2012, Road transport Act 1987, fees for Clamping, Removal and Detaining of Motor Vehicles are as follows:
Documents needed when claiming
The followings are the documents that you need to provide:
- Original vehicle registration card (grant)
- Original vehicle cover note (insurance)
- Representative – Please bring along a representation letter from the owner and a copy of the owner’s identity card
Should the vehicle be involved with a police case, the following documents must be submitted:
- A copy of the police report
- A copy from the related Investigating Officer
- A court order
Claims on old/abandoned vehicles
These vehicles are towed as they are found old or abandoned for a lengthy period of time through patrol or public complaints.
According to the Road Transport Methods Amendments 2012, Road transport Act 1987, fees for Clamping, Removal and Detaining of Motor Vehicles are as follows:
Documents needed when claiming
The followings are the documents that you need to provide:
- Original vehicle registration card (grant)
- Original vehicle cover note (insurance)
- Representative – please bring along a representative letter from the owner and a copy of the owner’s identity card
Should the vehicle be involved with a police case, the following documents must be submitted:
- A copy of the police report
- A copy from the related Investigating Officer
- A court order
Stay calm and follow the steps to claim your car
Yes, it is never pleasant to have your car towed. We certainly hope this does not happen to you. However, we suggest you equip yourself with more information regarding car towing. Therefore you will be able to tackle such a situation in the future.
If the authorities tow your car, the most important thing to do is locate it. Make sure to rescue it so that you will avoid paying storage fees.
Be mindful of where you park your car. Please avoid parking it in prohibited areas that could land you in trouble!
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