Is your vehicle missing?
If your vehicle (car, truck, RV, motorhome, motorcycle, motorized pedicab or scooter) is missing from an area under Port of San Diego Harbor Police jurisdiction, contact us following the steps below, and we can tell you if your vehicle has been towed/impounded or repossessed.
If a vehicle is towed or impounded, a letter notifying the registered owner will be mailed within 48 business hours. You don’t have to wait for the letter to call us. We can help you now.
How to retrieve your vehicle
As soon as you are aware your vehicle is missing, call the Port of San Diego Harbor Police Department to find out where your vehicle is and if you can pay fees and pick it up OR if it’s on a hold.
Start Here
To help us locate your vehicle, please gather any known vehicle information such as:
- License plate number or Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
- Vehicle make and model
- Where your car was towed from
- When it was towed
- If known, why it was towed
Contact Us 24/7 at 619.686.6272
If you are cleared to retrieve your vehicle, Harbor Police staff will give you the towing company and tow yard information. Proceed to the yard, pay the fees, and retrieve your vehicle.
If your vehicle is on a hold, proceed to the Vehicle Hold section.
Fees
All fees are paid at the towing yard when you pick up your vehicle. You are responsible to pay:
- Port of San Diego vehicle release fee, currently $232*
- Towing company fees (for towing and storing the vehicle)
Note: Towing company fees may vary, and total storage fees increase daily. Towing companies may also charge an additional fee for vehicle pick-up outside of normal business hours.
Vehicle Hold
If your vehicle was towed and impounded for one of the following, or additional violations, you must obtain a signed vehicle release from the Port of San Diego Harbor Police prior to going to the towing company’s storage yard.
Some violation examples are:
- 22651(o) Expired registration more than 6 months past due. You must go to the DMV to begin the vehicle registration process and bring the paperwork DMV gives you to obtain a vehicle release form.
- 22651(p) Driving while unlicensed/suspended driver’s license. You must reinstate your license with the DMV and provide documentation or bring a licensed driver with you to obtain a vehicle release form.
- Evidence holds: Please contact Harbor Police Department to speak with an investigator for further information or instructions.
See the California Vehicle Code, Sections 22651 – 22655.5, for more information on vehicle towing and holds.
Signed Vehicle Release
When a signed vehicle release is required, the registered owner of the vehicle must appear in person at Port of San Diego Harbor Police Headquarters during normal business hours.
Bring with you:
- Valid driver's license
- Proof of current insurance
- Updated registration paperwork from DMV, if registration was expired in excess of six months
- Any other applicable documents showing proof of correction
When the release conditions are satisfied, you can proceed to the tow yard, pay fees and retrieve your vehicle.
Post-Storage Hearing
Under section CVC 22852, persons who have had their vehicle towed by authorities have a right to an informal post-storage hearing. This is an opportunity for the registered owner of a vehicle to challenge the validity of the impoundment. It allows the owner to present their case to a designated hearing officer and potentially have the vehicle released early or have impound fees waived.
Hearings are held during normal business hours at Port of San Diego Harbor Police Headquarters. 3380 N. Harbor Drive San Diego, CA 92101.
How to request a Post-Storage Hearing
- The vehicle’s registered and legal owners, or their agents, must request the hearing in writing, in person, or by telephone to this department, within ten (10) days of the date of the storage notice. This notice is mailed out within 48 hours of storage.
- The registered owner must complete the Post-Storage Hearing request form and return it to Port of San Diego Harbor Police. Forms are available during regular business hours at the Port of San Diego Harbor Police Department Headquarters.
- A Vehicle Impound Hearing administrative fee of $100* must be paid at the time of your hearing. This must be paid by credit card or cash only.
A designated hearing officer will conduct the review. You will receive a decision by phone or mail, within 48 hours (excluding weekends and holidays). If your appeal is successful, we waive all fees up to 10 days of storage.
Contact Us
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-Emergency: 619.686.6272
Records: 619.686.6596
Port of San Diego Harbor Police Headquarters is located at 3380 N. Harbor Drive San Diego, CA 92101
Business Hours
- Monday – Thursday, 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Alternate Fridays, 7 a.m. – 4 p.m.
If you need tow/impound related sign-offs outside of normal business hours, the wait time is subject to officer availability.
*Additional Information
- This fee is subject to change and necessary to defray costs the Port incurred when towing your vehicle. Visit section 2.01 of the Port Code for Cost Recovery information.
- Any waiver of a Port of San Diego user fee shall be subject to (BPC) Policy No. 106.