Car missing from roadside: We do it sometimes unknowingly and park our cars in a no-parking area. Sometimes there are places where no-parking boards are not visible clearly, so mistakes happen. Traffic police thus take away the car without any notice. The irony is that most vehicle owners do not even know where their car or bike is taken to.

Where Does the Police Take Your Vehicle?

When traffic police tow your car from a no-parking zone, it is usually taken to the nearest impound facility. This may be under the local RTO or a specific traffic department holding facility. These cars are not let off easily and involve your having to pay a penalty, which in some instances needs to be paid through the court.

Traffic police patrol roads, markets, and other public places continuously. They tow cars parked in no-parking zones and move them to these authorized tow yards. If your car disappears from where you parked it last, it is most likely to have been towed away by the authorities.

How to Find Out Where Your Vehicle Is

The instant you notice that your car is missing, you can take two actions to find it. The first one is to dial the toll-free traffic police number. Your vehicle’s registration number will be requested. On confirmation, the crew will tell you the location of your vehicle.

Or, if you’re close to where the car was removed from, you can just inquire directly from the local traffic officers. Oftentimes, they know which cars were towed from where.

What Happens After Towing?

Once your vehicle is confirmed to have been towed, you’ll need to head to the impound yard or the relevant traffic department office. There, you’ll be asked to pay a penalty. The fine amount depends on the type of vehicle and the violation.

Usually, in case of bikes and small cars, the fine begins from Rs.300 and can extend to Rs.2000. For larger vehicles and cars, the penalty would be on the higher side, particularly if the matter has to go in court proceedings. Only after paying this fine will your car be returned.

Be Mindful Whil e Parking

To prevent these hassles, always double-check the parking place. Do not park in roadside spaces, particularly in crowded markets or public places. If you are not sure whether it is a legitimate parking area, it is wise to find a paid parking lot. A little precaution can rescue you from paying a large amount of fine or getting troubled afterwards.