Vehicle Impound Fees in the Philippines: How Much and How to Retrieve Your Car

This guide explains what you’ll pay when your vehicle is towed/impounded in the Philippines and exactly how to get it back. It’s written for private motorists, fleet owners, and company drivers. Laws and rates change and vary by city/agency—treat this as a practical roadmap, not legal advice.

The fast overview

Your total cost is the sum of:
1. Violation fines/penalties (e.g., illegal parking, obstruction, unregistered vehicle),
2. Towing fee, and
3. Storage fee (impound) charged per day.
Who sets the prices? The apprehending authority (e.g., LGU traffic office, MMDA, LTO, PNP-HPG) follows its own approved fine schedule and towing/storage rate cards (some use accredited private tow firms).
How much, roughly? Expect the towing + first day of storage to already be a significant portion of your total, sometimes more than the violation fine itself. Storage accrues daily—the longer you wait, the bigger the bill.
Release rule of thumb: Pay/settle the violation with the issuing office → get a Release Order/Clearance → pay towing/storage at the impound yard → present IDs + OR/CR + authorization (if not the owner) → vehicle inspection → release.

Key agencies & where your car might be

LGU traffic offices (city/municipality): Most roadside towing/impounds for local violations (e.g., illegal parking, obstruction).
MMDA (Metro Manila): Metro-wide clearing ops and major road towing/impounds (if within MM coverage).
LTO (and sometimes PNP-HPG): Registration, licensing violations, public transport “colorum” cases, roadworthiness/safety, and certain special enforcement actions.
Private subdivisions/estates: Usually cannot impound like a government agency, but may deny entry/exit or seek LGU assistance. Actual impounding typically involves a government authority and an accredited tow truck.

When can a vehicle be towed or impounded?

Common grounds (exact rules vary by city and by national issuances):

Illegal parking/obstruction (e.g., on no-parking roads, sidewalks, bike lanes, pedestrian lanes, bus stops, intersections, bridges/underpasses, emergency zones).
Abandoned or unattended vehicles causing traffic/safety risks.
Unregistered, improperly registered, no plate/temporary plate issues, or tampered plates.
Roadworthiness/safety violations (e.g., dangerous modifications, severe smoke belching during enforcement operations).
Serious traffic incidents (e.g., hit-and-run, vehicular manslaughter) pending investigation.
Public transport “colorum” operations (unauthorized for-hire use) and certain franchise violations—often with longer impound periods.
Driving under the influence cases—vehicles may be held pending legal/administrative processes.

Note: Many LGUs/ agencies apply a “no contact while driver can promptly move the vehicle” approach for simple illegal parking, but once the vehicle is hooked or creating an immediate hazard, towing usually proceeds.

The fee stack (what you actually pay)

1) Violation fines/penalties

Set by the same office that issued your ticket (LGU, MMDA, LTO, etc.).
Some violations carry graduated penalties or additional sanctions (e.g., temporary impound, license confiscation, seminar).
For franchise/colorum cases and unregistered vehicles, penalties can be substantial and may include long impound periods.

2) Towing fee

Charged by the agency or its accredited tow operator.
Usually depends on vehicle class/weight and sometimes distance or zone.
Special equipment (e.g., flatbed, dolly, forklift, night operations) may increase the fee.

3) Storage (impound) fee

Per calendar day (some yards count the day of tow as Day 1; ask how they compute).
Rates vary by vehicle size/class and by impound yard.
Weekends/holidays often still accrue storage unless the agency policy says otherwise.

4) Other possible charges

Administrative fee/processing fee (some offices).
Incidentals (e.g., lockout service if you request access, battery boost).
Notarial fees if you need a Special Power of Attorney (SPA) or authorization letter.

Practical expectation: Even a “simple” illegal-parking tow can cost several thousand pesos in aggregate once towing and daily storage are tallied—and it climbs each day.

How to retrieve your vehicle (step-by-step)

Step 1 — Confirm who has your car and where

Check your ticket or the notice left on site.
Call the LGU/MMDA/LTO/HPG hotline or visit the city traffic office to identify the impound yard and required documents.

Step 2 — Settle the violation(s)

Go to the issuing office (e.g., city traffic adjudication, MMDA satellite, LTO district/regional office).
Pay the fine or request adjudication/contest if you dispute the citation.
- If you need the car immediately, you can usually pay and release then appeal later (release under protest)—confirm procedure locally.
Obtain a Payment Receipt and a Release Order/Clearance addressed to the impound yard.

Step 3 — Prepare documents for release

Bring originals and photocopies (requirements differ by yard/agency):

Driver’s License (the driver who will take the car out).
OR/CR (Original Receipt/Certificate of Registration).
Government-issued ID(s).
Registered Owner not present? Bring one of:
- Authorization Letter + owner’s ID (both sides), or
- SPA (Special Power of Attorney) if the yard requires notarized authority (common for company vehicles).
Company vehicles: Company ID of authorized representative, Company Authorization Letter on letterhead, sometimes Secretary’s Certificate.
If documents lost: Affidavit of Loss and any proof (e.g., photos, digital copies, LTO portal printouts), as allowed by the yard.

Step 4 — Go to the impound yard and pay yard fees

Present Release Order/Clearance + IDs + OR/CR.
Yard computes towing + storage (and any incidentals).
Pay (note: some yards are cash only; ask beforehand).
You should receive official receipts (separate ORs if both agency and private tow operator are paid).

Step 5 — Inspection and release

Yard staff conducts walk-around inspection; you may be asked to sign an inventory/acknowledgment.
Check for damage or missing items before driving out; raise any issues immediately and document with photos/video.
Drive out only once you’re cleared by the gate officer.

What if you’re not the registered owner?

You’ll need clear authority. Prepare:

Authorization Letter or SPA from the registered owner,
Photocopy of the owner’s valid ID (with signature), and
Your own government ID.
For company cars: Company Authorization Letter, your company ID, and any corporate docs the yard requests.

Timelines, daily cut-offs, and storage math

Daily accrual: Most yards charge per calendar day. Some cut off at a set hour; past that, the next full day is charged.
Weekends/holidays: Storage often continues to accrue even if offices are closed.
Practical tip: Even if you can’t complete release today, go early to settle the ticket and secure the Release Order, then head straight to the yard. Reducing even one day of storage can save a lot.

If you believe the tow/impound was improper

Document everything: Photos/video of the scene, signage (or lack of it), timestamps, and the vehicle’s position before towing (if available).
Request copies: Towing job order, inventory sheet, and staff IDs (where allowed).
Complain/appeal to the issuing office (traffic adjudication board/unit).
You may pay for release to stop storage and file a formal protest for refund/discipline of erring personnel.
For damage/loss: File a written claim with the agency and (if applicable) the accredited towing contractor; keep receipts and evidence. Consider small claims or other legal remedies if unresolved.

Special situations

Accidents: Vehicles may be held pending police investigation or insurance processing. Coordinate with the police station and your insurer; bring the police report for release.
DUI/Drunk/Drugged driving cases: Release may require clearance from the handling law enforcement and medical/chemical test results, subject to the case status.
Colorum/for-hire without franchise: Expect steeper penalties and longer impound (sometimes months) with administrative proceedings before release.
Unclaimed vehicles: After due notice and lapse of a prescribed period (varies by agency/ordinance), authorities may declare vehicles abandoned and proceed with auction/disposal following due process.

Your rights (and good practices)

Identification: Enforcers and tow personnel should identify themselves and (for tow operators) show they are accredited.
Documentation: You’re entitled to receipts and paper trail (ticket/notice, job order, inventory).
No “riding” policy: Tow crew generally should not have non-essential persons ride in your vehicle; valuables should be inventoried.
Signage & due process: For no-parking zones, there should typically be visible signage or a clear ordinance basis.
Keep it cordial: Stay calm, record details, and move quickly to minimize storage.

How much will my case cost? (Fill-in worksheet)

Use this to compute your total based on the yard/office quotes:

A. Violation fines/penalties: ₱__________
B. Towing fee (base + distance/special equip): ₱__________
C. Storage fee (₱_____ per day × _____ days): ₱__________
D. Administrative/processing/incidentals (if any): ₱__________ Estimated Total (A + B + C + D): ₱__________

Tip: Ask the yard exactly how they count days and what time the daily cut-off is to avoid another day’s charge.

Documents & templates

Owner’s Authorization Letter (sample)

Date: ___________

To: [Name of Impounding Yard / Office]

I, [Full Name of Registered Owner], with valid ID no. __________, am the registered owner of
[Year/Make/Model], Plate No. __________, Engine No. __________, Chassis No. __________.

I hereby authorize [Full Name of Representative], with valid ID no. __________, to claim and
retrieve the said vehicle on my behalf, pay all necessary fees, and sign any documents required
for its release.

Attached are copies of my valid ID and the representative’s valid ID.

Signed:
[Signature over Printed Name of Owner]
Contact No.: __________

If the yard requires an SPA: have the above converted into a notarized SPA. Some yards are strict, especially for company vehicles.

Frequently asked questions

Q: Can I retrieve the car without the Release Order? Usually no. The yard requires a Release Order/Clearance from the issuing office confirming you’ve settled or secured authority for release.

Q: Do storage fees stop once I pay my fines? Not until the vehicle physically exits the yard. Storage keeps accruing until actual release (unless the agency confirms otherwise).

Q: The tow crew damaged my car—what now? Report it immediately to the yard supervisor; document with photos/video. File a written claim with the agency and the accredited tow operator. Keep copies of all receipts and reports.

Q: What if my OR/CR is missing? Bring whatever you have (photocopies/digital), plus an Affidavit of Loss and a valid ID. The yard may require additional verification; policies vary.

Q: Can I contest the ticket and still get the car now? Often yes. Many offices allow release under protest after you pay or post what’s required; you can pursue your contest/appeal afterward.

Smart, money-saving checklist

☐ Identify the exact agency and yard holding your car.
☐ Ask fees up front: towing, daily storage, cut-off time, accepted payment modes.
☐ Settle the ticket and get your Release Order today if possible.
☐ Bring OR/CR, IDs, and authorization/SPA if you’re not the owner.
☐ Photograph the vehicle at the yard before release; check for damage.
☐ Keep all receipts (fine, towing, storage).
☐ If disputing, file protest promptly and keep copies.

Final word on “how much”

Because rates differ by city, agency, vehicle class, distance, and days in storage, there is no one-size figure. As a rule, prepare for several thousand pesos at minimum for a basic illegal-parking tow with a short stay, and significantly more if the car stays longer or if the underlying violation carries heavy penalties (e.g., unregistered/for-hire issues). The fastest way to save money is to retrieve the car immediately to stop daily storage from piling up.

If you want, tell me your city/agency, vehicle type, and how many days it’s been in the yard, and I’ll help you estimate a realistic total using the worksheet above.