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                    Towed and impounded vehicles

                    Find out how to avoid getting your vehicle towed and impounded, and what to do if this does happen.

                    Vehicles will be towed if they are:

                    • parked in a Clearway Tow Away Zone
                    • obstructing an access way (like a driveway or laneway)
                    • unregistered
                    • considered abandoned.

                    Towed vehicles will not be released until the tow fee is paid. 

                    If you believe your vehicle has been towed, contact Nationwide Towing and Transport by phone on 134 869 to check.

                    When can a vehicle be towed?

                    Clearways

                    A clearway is a signed area that does not allow vehicles to stop during designated hours.

                    Clearways are important to improve traffic flow on congested roads at certain times of the day. Just one vehicle parked in a clearway can create significant traffic congestion during peak times.

                    Several clearways within the City of Melbourne are designated 'Clearway Tow Away Zones'. These are marked by a 'control' sign (see examples). If a vehicle is parked in a Clearway Tow Away Zone, it will be towed away as soon as possible.

                    Example signs for Clearway 4.30pm-6.30pm Mon-Fri; Tow away clearway; and Tow away clearway 3.30-6.30pm Mon-Fri 


                    Obstructing an access way

                    A vehicle is considered to be ‘obstructing’ if it is parked in an area such as a driveway or laneway and is preventing vehicle access.

                    City of Melbourne officers at the scene will issue a parking fine and take several steps to locate the driver to request that the vehicle be moved. If they are unable to locate the driver, and the only way of accessing your property has been obstructed, the vehicle may be towed.


                    Unregistered vehicles

                    It is illegal for unregistered vehicles to be left on the road and they may be impounded. We will write to the last known owner of the vehicle if it is impounded, and again before we dispose of it.

                    Abandoned vehicles

                    If a vehicle is parked on the street and has not moved for a period of two months, it may be considered to be abandoned and may be impounded, even if the vehicle is registered. Read more about how we deal with abandoned vehicles.

                    What to do if your vehicle has been towed from a clearway

                    Call the impound storage yard

                    If your vehicle is towed, we strongly advise you to call Nationwide Towing and Transport on 134 869.

                    It is important that you call before visiting the towing impound yard so that they can:

                    • tell you of any documents you need to bring
                    • move the car out of the storage area so it is ready when you arrive.

                    Nationwide Towing and Transport's Impound yard:
                    A                    ddress: 34 Cromwell Street, Collingwood
                    Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 6.30am to 9pm, Saturday: 8am to 1pm, Sunday: closed

                    Requirements for collecting your vehicle

                    Before you can collect your vehicle, you will need to pay towing fee and provide proof of your driver licence.

                    Storage fees are charged on a daily basis after a vehicle has been impounded for more than 48 hours.

                    If you need to visit the Noble Park Auction Yard

                    When a vehicle has been towed from a Clearway Tow Away Zone to the Collingwood impound yard and more than 14 days have passed without it being claimed or collected by the owner, the vehicle is then towed to the Noble Park Auction Yard.

                    Abandoned vehicles are towed directly to the Noble Park Auction Yard.

                    You must contact Nationwide Towing and Transport during business hours on 134 869 before visiting the Noble Park Auction Yard. 

                    Nationwide Towing and Transport's Auction Yard
                    Address: 1/221 Browns Road, Noble Park North
                    Phone: 134 869 (business hours)

                    If you are visiting the auction yard, you will need to bring these documents:

                    • proof of ownership
                    • proof of registration
                    • valid driver licence
                    • authorisation letter from owner (if applicable).

                    Fees

                    Towed vehicles will not be released until the tow fee is paid. As at 1 July 2019, fees are:

                    • If your vehicle has been towed from a clearway, the tow fee will be $425. Daily storage fees will apply if a vehicle is not collected from the impound yard in Collingwood within 48 hours.
                    • If your vehicle has been towed from a clearway to the impound yard in Collingwood, then to the auction yard in Noble Park North, the fee will be $856 (consisting of a $425 initial tow fee, a $138 second tow fee and a $293 administration fee). There may also be additional storage fees of $17.80 per day applicable at the Noble Park Auction Yard.
                    • If your vehicle was towed because it was considered abandoned, it will have been towed directly to the Noble Park Auction Yard. The fee will be $576 (consisting of a $283 initial tow fee and a $293 administration fee). There may also be additional storage fees of $17.80 per day applicable at the Noble Park Auction Yard.

                    Complaints about towing matters

                    If you have a complaint about the towing process, damage to your vehicle, staff conduct or any other issue, you can make a written complaint by writing to:

                    Nationwide Towing and Transport
                    1/221 Browns Road
                    Noble Park North VIC 3174

                    Grounds for requesting a tow fee refund

                    ​Only in exceptional circumstances and with supporting documentation will the City of Melbourne consider refunding the tow fee.

                    We consider ‘exceptional circumstances’ to be verifiable and unforeseen circumstances outside of a person’s control that would reasonably prevent them from ensuring their vehicle was legally parked, such as a medical emergency or a vehicle breakdown.

                    This need for supporting documents is consistent for all applicants, and we do not accept statutory declarations.

                    Exceptional circumstances categories and documentation

                    Vehicle breakdown

                    One of the following is required:

                    • roadside assistance or mechanic receipt on company letterhead with ABN
                    • sales receipt for required items that day (if you fixed the breakdown yourself).

                    Keys locked in vehicle

                    One of the following is required:

                    • roadside assistance, mechanic or locksmith receipt on company letterhead with ABN (note: RACV 'confirmation of service' slip is not sufficient)
                    • a taxi receipt showing drop off and pick up times and locations
                    • Myki transaction history of registered card showing touch on and off times and locations to be close to your address (if you fetched spare set of keys).

                    Medical condition

                    An unexpected onset of symptoms related to a diagnosed medical condition that could reasonably prevent a person from attending to their vehicle.

                    Documentation required:

                    • a letter on letterhead from a medical practitioner dated within 12 months confirming that a condition has been diagnosed, and its likely implications.

                    Medical emergency

                    An injury or illness that is acute and poses an immediate risk to a person’s life or long-term health and would reasonably prevent a person from attending to their vehicle.

                    Documentation required:

                    • a letter on letterhead from hospital or treating practitioner confirming you were involved in a medical emergency (including date and time) and how this prevented you from attending to your vehicle.

                    Medical practitioner delay

                    Only where medical personnel were administering emergency treatment outside of regular duties or hours.

                    Documentation required:

                    • a letter on facility letterhead from your manager confirming your regular hours and confirming that the emergency circumstances were outside of your regular duties or hours.

                    Other extenuating medical circumstances

                    Verifiable, unforeseen circumstances outside of one’s control that do not pose an immediate risk to a person’s life or long term health, but could reasonably prevent a person from attending to their vehicle.

                    Documentation required:

                    • a letter on facility letterhead from hospital or treating practitioner confirming that the medical delay or circumstances were unexpected (including date / time) and how this prevented you from attending to your vehicle.

                    Financial hardship

                    Extremely strict conditions are applied in cases involving financial hardship. Please contact us on 03 9658 9658 to discuss your circumstances.

                    Special circumstances

                    Documentation required:

                    • an official statement on letterhead dated within 12 months from your treating practitioner or case worker, detailing the nature of your mental/intellectual condition, serious addiction to drugs/alcohol or homelessness and how it results in you being unable to understand or control the conduct that led to the offence.

                    You should read the more detailed explanation of special circumstances before applying on these grounds.

                    Other exceptional circumstances

                    Documentation required:

                    • independent third party verification of the circumstance, including date and time.

                    How to request a refund

                    Please use our online contact form to lodge your request and upload supporting documents.

                    Alternatively, you can send us a letter with your supporting documents to:

                    Impound Release Fee Appeal
                    City of Melbourne
                    PO Box 780
                    Melbourne VIC 3001

                    Request a tow fee refund. Request
                    This will take approximately 5 to 10 minutes to complete. Please have any supporting documentation ready before you start.
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