You walk back to where you parked your car, and it’s gone. No note. No warning. Just an empty space and a rising sense of panic.
Before you can figure out what to do next, you need to answer one question: who took it? A private operator acting on behalf of a property owner, or a tow truck dispatched by Victoria Police? The answer changes everything, who you call, what you pay, and what your rights are.
This guide breaks down the key differences between private and police-ordered towing in Melbourne, so you know exactly what you’re dealing with and what to do next.
What Is a Police-Ordered Tow?
A police-ordered tow, also known as an authorised or government tow, occurs when Victoria Police orders a licensed tow truck operator to remove a vehicle from a public road or place.
Police don’t operate tow trucks themselves. Instead, they contact a contracted towing operator to carry out the job on their behalf. The police remain in control of where the vehicle goes and what happens to it.
Common Reasons Police Order a Tow in Melbourne
Police can order the removal of your vehicle for a number of reasons, including:
- Traffic accidents — your vehicle is blocking traffic or is undriveable after a collision
- Mechanical breakdown — the car is stranded on a freeway or major road and poses a safety risk
- Illegal parking — the vehicle is parked in a clearway, blocking emergency access, or on a yellow line
- Abandoned vehicles — the car has been left on public land for an extended period
- Impoundment — the driver has been caught hooning, driving unlicensed, or committing specific offences under Victoria’s Road Safety Act 1986
In Melbourne’s western suburbs, incidents on busy arterials are common triggers for police intervention. Drivers who’ve needed towing in Deer Park, for example, will know how quickly a breakdown on the Western Ring Road can escalate into a police-managed job.
What Happens to Your Car After a Police-Ordered Tow
Once your vehicle is towed under police authority, it’s taken to an approved storage facility — not necessarily the closest one to where you broke down. From there:
- Police or the towing company must notify you that your vehicle has been impounded
- You’ll need to provide proof of ownership (registration papers, ID) to reclaim it
- You’ll be required to pay towing and storage fees before the vehicle is released
- If impounded under the hoon laws, a minimum holding period may apply before you can retrieve it
Storage fees accumulate daily, so acting quickly matters.
What Is a Private Property Tow?
A private property tow occurs when a vehicle is removed from private land (a parking lot, shopping centre, apartment complex, or business premises) at the request of the property owner or manager.
These tows are not ordered by police. They’re carried out by a private towing company contracted to enforce the parking rules on that property.
Who Can Authorise a Private Tow in Victoria?
Under Victorian law, a property owner or their authorised representative can direct a tow truck operator to remove a vehicle that is:
- Parked without permission
- Blocking access to a driveway, loading bay, or emergency exit
- Left in a reserved or permit-only bay
- Abandoned on the premises
The towing company must be licensed and operate within the rules set out by the Tow Truck Industry Act 1995 (Vic). Signage is key — legally, the property must display clear warning signs stating that unauthorised vehicles will be towed.
If you’ve ever looked into towing in Thomastown, you know the situation. Mixed-use precincts and shared car parks are widespread in the area. Private tows happen often in apartment complexes and retail strips where parking is actively enforced.
Your Rights as a Vehicle Owner
If your car is towed from private property in Victoria, you have rights:
- You must be informed of where your vehicle has been taken
- The towing company must provide a written receipt and fee schedule
- You cannot be charged more than the regulated rate set by Consumer Affairs Victoria
- You have the right to dispute the tow if the signage was inadequate or the tow was unlawful
If you believe the tow was improper, you can lodge a complaint with Consumer Affairs Victoria or the Tow Truck Directorate.
Key Differences at a Glance
| Feature | Police-Ordered Tow | Private Property Tow |
| Who authorises it | Victoria Police | Property owner / manager |
| Location | Public roads and spaces | Private land |
| Who you contact to retrieve | Police + towing company | Towing company directly |
| Legal basis | Road Safety Act 1986 | Tow Truck Industry Act 1995 |
| Dispute process | Through police or courts | Consumer Affairs Victoria |
| Storage location control | Police-designated facility | Company’s own yard |
| Impoundment possible | Yes (hoon laws, offences) | No |
Who Pays — And What Does It Cost?
Regardless of the type of tow, the vehicle owner is usually responsible for the costs. That includes both the tow itself and any daily storage fees that accrue while the vehicle sits in the yard.
In Victoria, tow truck fees are regulated. As of the most recent guidelines from the Tow Truck Directorate, fees are broken into components: the initial hook-up charge, a per-kilometre rate, and a daily storage fee. Rates vary depending on time of day and whether specialist equipment was needed.
For a police-ordered tow following a traffic accident, your comprehensive car insurance may cover part or all of the towing and storage costs; check your policy. For private property tows, insurance coverage is less common unless you have roadside assistance included.
Acting quickly is the best way to minimise costs. Every additional day in storage adds to what you owe.
How to Get Your Car Back After Either Type of Tow
The process for reclaiming your vehicle depends on which type of tow occurred.
After a police-ordered tow:
- Call Victoria Police (or the local station) to confirm where your vehicle was taken
- Contact the towing company to confirm fees and arrange pickup
- Bring your driver’s licence, proof of registration, and payment
- If impounded under hoon laws, wait out any mandatory holding period first
After a private property tow:
- Look for signage at the location — it should list the towing company’s contact details
- Call the company directly and confirm your vehicle is there
- Visit the yard with ID and proof of ownership
- Pay the regulated fee and collect your vehicle
Anyone searching for towing in St Albans will know the suburb blends private car parks and busy public streets and that mix means it’s not always immediately obvious which type of tow has occurred. If there’s no police involvement and no infringement notice on file, it’s almost certainly a private tow.
Can You Dispute a Tow in Melbourne?
Yes, but the path differs depending on the tow type.
Disputing a police-ordered tow is harder. If police had lawful grounds (blocked road, impound offence), the tow stands. You may be able to dispute associated fines through the Infringements Court, but the towing and storage fees are generally still payable.
Disputing a private property tow is more accessible. Common grounds for dispute include:
- No warning signage was displayed, or it was inadequate
- The vehicle was not actually in violation of any parking rule
- The towing company charged above the regulated rate
- You were not informed of where your car was taken within the required timeframe
Lodge complaints with Consumer Affairs Victoria or the Tow Truck Directorate. In clear-cut cases of unlawful towing, you may be entitled to a refund of fees paid.
Know the Difference Before You Need To
Having your automobile towed is bad enough. The fact that you don’t know who took it or what your rights are only makes matters worse.
The key takeaway: police-ordered tows happen on public roads under government authority, while private tows happen on private land under a property owner’s instruction. Both are legal. Both cost money. And in both cases, the faster you act, the less you’ll pay.
One Stop Towing is available throughout metropolitan Melbourne, including the western and northern suburbs, if you’re stuck in Melbourne and need a dependable, licensed tow truck—whether it’s due to a breakdown, an accident, or you just need your car moved.
Call One Stop Towing now for fast, professional towing anywhere in Melbourne. Don’t wait on the roadside — get help from a team that knows Melbourne’s streets and handles every job according to the rules.