If your car breaks down on a major roadway, highway, bridge or tunnel, you may call the police at 911 for assistance. The police will then send a licensed towing firm that works under the Directed Accident Response Program. By law, the towing firm must take your car wherever you specify. Make sure that the authorisation you sign states that it is for towing only and not for repairs – a towing company may try and convince you to let them bring your car to a specific repair shop. If a towing company appears at your accident that does not have a DARP sticker, they are working illegally and may charge you inflated rates to tow your car.

Any other time you need towing assistance, you may call a licensed DCA (The NYC Department of Consumer Affairs) towing company of your choice. It is best to call around for rates though, as towing can be expensive, and there are over 2,000 car towing companies in and around New York City. If you need a list of licensed towing companies in your area, call the city information line at 311. You will need to sign papers that allow the towing company to take possession of your vehicle. Make sure that these papers say authorisation to tow and not to repair. The towing company must also give you a consumer bill of rights regarding towing, which states that you have the right to choose your own repair shop. Your insurance company may cover the towing cost, so make sure you get an itemised bill before your car is taken away.