You stepped away for five minutes from clearway zone. Maybe less. And now your car is gone.
No note on the windscreen. No warning. Just empty bitumen where your car used to be.
Melbourne’s clearway towing system moves fast, faster than most drivers expect. Melbourne City Council issued over 800,000 parking infringement notices in 2022–23, and clearway violations are among the most ticketed offences. On top of the fine, you’re also looking at towing fees, daily storage charges, and a trip to an impound yard.
This guide explains exactly what happens, who’s responsible, how to get your car back, and what it’ll cost you.
What Is a Clearway Zone?
A clearway is a stretch of road where you cannot stop or park during certain times. They exist to keep Melbourne’s busiest roads moving, especially during morning and evening peak hours.
You’ll spot them by their red and white signs showing the days and hours they operate. Common examples:
- Monday to Friday, 7–9am and 4–7pm
- Seven days a week on major arterials
- 24-hour clearways in some CBD zones
There’s no grace period. The moment the clearway time starts, any car parked there is in violation and enforcement can begin immediately.
Who Can Tow Your Car From a Clearway?
More than one authority can order the removal of your car. Here’s who’s involved:
- Victoria Police: Officers can authorise towing of any vehicle blocking traffic or parked in a clearway. This is the most common trigger in the CBD and inner suburbs.
- Melbourne City Council officers: Council parking inspectors can issue infringement notices and arrange towing through licensed tow truck operators.
- Transport for Victoria / VicRoads: On state-managed arterial roads, VicRoads-authorised operators handle vehicle removal for clearway compliance.
- Licensed tow truck operators: Private operators in Victoria must hold a current licence under the Tow Truck Industry Act 1995. They must be dispatched by an authority, they cannot tow your car without authorisation.
So when your car disappears from a clearway, a council officer or police most likely initiated it, and a licensed tow truck operator physically moved it.
How Quickly Does Clearway Towing Can Happen?
Enforcement officers actively patrol Melbourne’s clearway corridors during peak hours. Once your car is spotted in violation, here’s the typical sequence:
- The officer photographs your vehicle and records the registration
- A tow truck is dispatched, usually already nearby during peak windows
- Your car is hooked and removed within 10 to 20 minutes of the clearway period starting
- An infringement notice is linked to your registration
10 to 20 minutes. That’s the realistic window, not an hour, not ‘they probably won’t get to me today.’ If your car is in a clearway when it activates, it’s at serious risk within the first quarter hour.
Where Does Your Car Go and How Do You Get It Back?
Your car goes to a designated impound facility or tow yard. The location depends on where it was towed from and which operator was dispatched.
Here’s how to get it back, step by step:
- Step 1: Find out where it is. Call Victoria Police on 131 444 (non-emergency) or check the VicRoads impounded vehicle register online. They’ll confirm it’s been towed and give you the facility address.
- Step 2: Grab your documents. Bring your driver’s licence, vehicle registration papers, and proof of ownership. Some yards also ask for proof of insurance.
- Step 3: Pay the fees upfront. You cannot collect your car until towing and storage fees are paid in full. Most facilities accept EFTPOS and credit card.
- Step 4: Collect during business hours. Most impound yards operate 8am–5pm on weekdays with limited weekend hours. After-hours retrieval usually comes with an extra surcharge.
- Step 5: Deal with the fine separately. Your infringement notice will arrive by post. You have 28 days to pay or contest it through Fines Victoria.
What Does Clearway Parking Actually Cost?
This is where the real sting is. The fine is almost the least of your worries once towing and storage fees stack up.
| Cost Item | Approximate Cost (2025) |
| Clearway parking fine | $176 – $330 |
| Towing fee | $150 – $250 |
| Storage (per day) | $35 – $80 |
| After-hours retrieval | $80 – $150 extra |
| Partial tow fee | $100 – $150 |
| Total — Day 1 retrieval | $360 – $800+ |
Every day you delay adds another storage charge. A Friday afternoon tow means that daily rate runs all weekend before you can even call on Monday.
Your Rights When Your Car Gets Towed
You have more rights than most people realise. Under Victorian law:
- Right to be informed: The towing operator must leave a notice at the location with details of where your car has been taken and how to retrieve it.
- Right to contest the fine: You can apply to have the infringement reviewed within 28 days via the Fines Victoria portal if you believe it was issued incorrectly.
- Right to dispute the tow: If you think your car was towed before the clearway period started, you can file a formal complaint with Consumer Affairs Victoria.
- Right to a licensed operator: All tow truck operators in Victoria must be licensed. You’re entitled to ask for their credentials. If they can’t provide a valid licence number, do not release your vehicle.
Melbourne’s Highest-Risk Clearway Towing Spots
Some streets are enforced far more aggressively than others. Based on council enforcement patterns, these locations generate the most clearway tows:
- Swanston Street, CBD: 24-hour no-stopping for tram and traffic flow. One of the most heavily enforced streets in Melbourne.
- St Kilda Road: AM and PM peak clearways strictly enforced. Wide open lanes give officers full visibility from a distance.
- Punt Road / Hoddle Street: Clearways operate on both sides at different times. Easy to misread the signs.
- Elizabeth Street, CBD: Particularly high enforcement during events at Melbourne Central and the State Library precinct.
- Chapel Street, South Yarra: Weekend and evening enforcements are increasing due to retail and dining foot traffic.
- Sydney Road, Brunswick: Tram corridor clearways strictly managed. One of Melbourne’s highest-density streets for all road users.
If you’re going to any of these places during busy times, make sure you have time to find a legal parking spot. Every time, a $10 parking space is better than a $600+ bill to get your car back.
Driving or parking in Altona?
Altona’s foreshore car parks and local shopping strips have their own no-stopping and clearway rules, and they’re not always well signposted. If you break down or need a vehicle moved anywhere in Melbourne’s western suburbs, our tow truck team in Altona is available 24/7 to get you sorted fast.
Broken down near Tullamarine or Melbourne Airport?
It’s always stressful to break down near the Tullamarine Motorway or the airport terminal access roads. There’s a lot of traffic, no safe place to pull over, and you have to hurry if you’re catching a flight. Our tow truck in Tullamarine covers the airport corridor and surrounding industrial areas around the clock. One call and we’re on our way.
Final Thoughts: Stay Alert, Stay Informed
Clearway towing in Melbourne is fast, strict, and unavoidable if you break the rules. There’s no buffer, no warning, and no negotiation once the process begins. But here’s the upside, you can completely avoid it with awareness and a bit of planning.
If you ever find yourself in a difficult situation, whether it’s a breakdown, urgent relocation, or needing reliable towing support One Stop Towing is ready to help with professional, responsive service across Melbourne.