Towing Laws in New Hampshire: Your Rights, Costs & Impound Rules

If your car was just towed in New Hampshire - from a private lot, a roadside breakdown, or a crash scene - this page explains what state law says about the fees you can be charged, how to get your vehicle back, and where to take a complaint. Every fact below comes directly from New Hampshire statutes and state agency pages, each cited so you can verify it yourself.

Who regulates towing in New Hampshire

Towing consumer complaints in New Hampshire go to the Department of Justice Consumer Protection Bureau, which reviews complaints for unfair or deceptive acts or practices. You can file electronically after registering with the state, or mail the printable complaint form to 1 Granite Place South, Concord, NH 03301. The bureau's phone number is 603-271-3658.

What a tow can cost

New Hampshire doesn't set a statewide towing fee schedule. Instead, RSA 262:33 limits what can be recovered to "all reasonable" towing and storage charges, and it makes those reasonable removal and storage charges a lien against the vehicle until they're paid.

Because "reasonable" isn't tied to a specific dollar figure, ask for an itemized invoice and compare it against what other local companies charge. Our towing cost calculator can help you gauge whether a bill looks out of line before you pay it, and if it does, that's worth raising with the DOJ Consumer Protection Bureau.

Getting your car back from impound

Under RSA 262:36-a, a storage company can dispose of an unclaimed towed vehicle on a schedule that depends on the vehicle's age and condition: 20 days for vehicles more than 5 model years old, 30 days for vehicles 5 model years old or newer, or as little as 15 days for severely damaged, low-value vehicles - with notice required at least 10 days before disposal of an unusable vehicle. If the owner is hospitalized or incarcerated as a result of the accident that led to the tow, the claim period extends by up to 14 more days.

If you're towed from private property

A person in possession of private property may reasonably remove an unauthorized or apparently abandoned vehicle, but only after notifying a peace officer as soon as reasonably possible. Parking lots that charge for tows must post conspicuous notice that unauthorized vehicles will be towed at the owner's expense.

After an accident

New Hampshire requires that a crash causing death, personal injury, or combined property damage above $1,000 be reported in writing to the New Hampshire DMV within 15 days.

The Move Over law

RSA 265:37-a requires drivers approaching emergency scenes or vehicles displaying blue, red, or amber warning lights - which covers working tow trucks - to maintain a reduced speed, give a wide berth if it's practical to do so without endangering oncoming traffic, and vacate any lane that's wholly or partially blocked. Fines are $75 for a first offense and $250 for a subsequent offense within 12 months, plus a penalty assessment.

FAQ

Is there a set maximum for what a New Hampshire tow can cost? No. State law only requires that towing and storage charges be "reasonable," under RSA 262:33, rather than setting a fixed dollar cap. Compare your bill against local rates and raise concerns with the DOJ Consumer Protection Bureau if it seems excessive.

How long do I have before my towed car can be sold in New Hampshire? It depends on the vehicle: 20 days for cars more than 5 model years old, 30 days for cars 5 model years or newer, or as little as 15 days for severely damaged, low-value vehicles. If you were hospitalized or incarcerated because of the accident, you get up to 14 extra days to reclaim it.

What's the fine for not moving over for a tow truck in New Hampshire? $75 for a first offense and $250 for a repeat offense within 12 months, plus a penalty assessment, under RSA 265:37-a.

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