You parked in Canton, ran inside for twenty minutes, and came back to a very empty rectangle of asphalt where your car used to be. Before you assume the worst, take a breath. It may have been towed, and if it was, there is a clear path to getting it back.
Yes, a towing company is writing the guide to getting your car back from a towing company. We know. Here is the honest version, with what Georgia law actually requires.
Short answer: If your car was towed in Cherokee County, check the parking lot signs first: Georgia requires private lots to post the towing company’s name, phone number and impound location. Call that number, or the police non-emergency line if there is no sign. Bring your ID, proof of ownership and an accepted form of payment to get it released.
Step 1: Was It Towed or Stolen?
Look around before you panic. Towed cars leave clues, and the sign at the lot entrance is usually the biggest one.
- Check for a tow-away sign near the entrance of the lot or parking area.
- Ask the business, apartment office or property manager whether they called for a tow.
- If there is no sign and nobody knows, call the non-emergency line for the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office or your city police department and ask whether a tow was reported for your plate.
- If nobody has a record of a tow, report the car as stolen.
If you feel unsafe where you are, or you believe a crime happened, call 911.
What Georgia Requires on a Tow-Away Sign
Georgia’s nonconsensual towing rules, enforced by the Georgia Department of Public Safety, require signs at private lots before a car can be towed. Under Rule 570-38-7-.14, the sign must:
- Warn that unauthorized vehicles will be towed
- Show the towing company’s name, address and phone number
- Show where the impound lot is
- List the towing and daily storage fees, the hours, and the payment methods accepted
The sign has to be posted at the time of the tow and for at least 24 hours before it. The rule exempts small residential properties with four or fewer units. You can read the full rule text on the Georgia Secretary of State rules site.
How Do You Get a Towed Car Released?
Georgia requires towing firms that tow from private property to keep an attendant available by phone 24 hours a day, seven days a week, who can release your vehicle once you meet the release requirements (Rule 570-38-7-.17). Here is what usually makes the pickup go smoothly:
| Bring this | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Driver’s license or other photo ID | Shows who you are |
| Registration or title | Shows the car is yours |
| Cash, a money order, a certified check or a cashier’s check | Georgia rules require the firm to accept these forms of payment |
| A ride to the impound lot | The lot may not be close to where you parked |
Card payments are optional for the towing company, but if they take debit or credit cards, Georgia rules say they can’t add a fee for using one (Rule 570-38-7-.18). Always ask for a receipt.
How Much Does It Cost to Get a Towed Car Back in Georgia?
For tows from private property, the Georgia Department of Public Safety sets maximum rates in its Nonconsensual Towing Maximum Rate Tariff, and counties and cities can set lower limits. The tow-away sign must list the towing and daily storage fees.
Storage is charged by the day, so pick your car up as soon as you can. Every extra day in the impound lot is a day your car pays rent somewhere you didn’t choose.
In Canton and Cherokee County
Watch for tow-away signs in apartment complexes, shopping centers and downtown lots in Canton, Woodstock and Holly Springs, where parking rules are often strict and enforced around the clock.
Time Strike handles the towing you ask for yourself. If your car breaks down, or you need it moved to a shop or home, we tow it 24/7 with the price confirmed before we dispatch. See towing in Canton, roadside assistance in Canton, and our pages for Woodstock and Holly Springs.
Your Car Is Back. Now What?
- Walk around it and photograph any new damage before you leave the lot.
- Keep the receipt with the tow date, fees and the company’s details.
- If it won’t start after sitting in the lot, a jump start or a tow to your mechanic is one call away.
- If you believe the tow broke Georgia’s rules, you can contact the Georgia Department of Public Safety, which issues the permits for nonconsensual towing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find out who towed my car in Cherokee County?
Check the tow-away signs at the lot entrance, which Georgia requires to show the towing company’s name and phone number. If there is no sign, call the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office or your city police non-emergency line.
Can a towing company in Georgia refuse cash?
No. Georgia rules require nonconsensual towing firms to accept cash, money orders, certified checks or cashier’s checks. Cards are optional, and they can’t charge a fee for card payments.
Can I get my towed car back at night?
Georgia requires these towing firms to have an attendant available by phone 24/7 who can release your vehicle once you meet the release requirements.
Is there a limit on what a tow company can charge in Georgia?
Yes, for tows from private property. The Georgia Department of Public Safety sets maximum rates, and counties and cities can set lower ones.
What if my car won’t start when I pick it up?
Call Time Strike at (470) 227-8963. A jump start usually costs $65 to $95, or we can tow it to your mechanic, with the price confirmed before we dispatch.
Need Help in Canton, GA?
Time Strike Towing & Roadside provides 24/7 car towing across Canton and the surrounding Cherokee County area, 24 hours a day. We give you an honest quote before we dispatch.
Related services: Roadside Assistance and Jump Start Service. See all towing and roadside services or our service areas.