New Hampshire Towing Laws: Your Rights When Your Car Is Towed
Primary law: N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§ 262:31-262:40-c, incl. 262:35-a, 262:36-a, 262:40-a · Last verified July 2026. General information, not legal advice.
New Hampshire lets a private landowner remove a vehicle parked without permission under RSA 262:40-a, provided the removal is done in a reasonable manner and a peace officer is notified as soon as reasonably possible. If the registered owner can be identified, they must be told about the removal by the most practicable means; otherwise a report goes to the DMV director within 30 days. The state has no dedicated predatory-towing act, but RSA 262:35-a imposes an across-the-board 'reasonableness' standard on every removal and storage fee, backed by an administrative review process.
No dollar caps exist — fees may reflect distance, vehicle size and weight, and time spent — but unreasonable charges can be challenged. The practical route is pay-then-fight: pay the storage charges to secure release, then request a written review from the DMV within 15 days, and the commissioner or a designee decides whether a hearing is needed on the charges. Storage facilities must let owners retrieve personal property that is not part of the vehicle, and essential items such as wallets, medicine, and legal documents cannot be held hostage pending payment, though non-essential items can be.
If your car is towed in New Hampshire, call the local police first — the tower was required to notify a peace officer, so they will know which lot has it. Retrieve essentials like your wallet, medications, and documents immediately; those must be released even before you pay. Get an itemized bill, pay to release the car, and keep proof of payment. If the charges look inflated, file a written request for review with the DMV within 15 days. Move fast on redemption overall: older or low-value vehicles can be disposed of in as little as 15-20 days.
New Hampshire towing rules at a glance
| Non-consent tow fee cap | Partial — New Hampshire sets no dollar caps but requires all removal and storage fees to be 'reasonable,' reflecting market factors like distance, vehicle size and time, with a state review process to test reasonableness. |
| Drop fee (truck still on scene) | Unclear / not verified |
| Kickback ban | Unclear / not verified |
| Warning signage required | Unclear / not verified — RSA 262:40-a lets a landowner remove a vehicle parked without permission but no statewide posting/signage requirement was verified. |
| Notice requirement | The remover must notify a peace officer as soon as reasonably possible; the registered owner must then be notified by the most practicable means, or the DMV director within 30 days if the owner cannot be identified. |
| Personal property retrieval | Yes |
| Credit cards must be accepted | Unclear / not verified |
| Right to challenge the tow | Yes — Under RSA 262:35-a you can pay the charges to free the car, then request DMV review in writing within 15 days, and the commissioner can order a hearing on whether fees were reasonable. |
| Hold period before sale | 15-30 days depending on vehicle age and value |
How to get your car back in New Hampshire
- Call the local police non-emergency line — New Hampshire removals must be reported to a peace officer, so they can locate the car.
- Retrieve essential items (wallet, medicine, legal documents) immediately — the lot must release them regardless of payment.
- Get an itemized invoice, pay the charges to free the car, and keep all receipts.
- If fees seem unreasonable, request DMV review in writing within 15 days of release.
- Do not delay redemption — unclaimed vehicles can be sold in 15-30 days depending on age and value.
Where to complain about an illegal tow
New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles handles towing complaints in New Hampshire. Keep your receipt, photos of any signage (or lack of it), and notes on dates and times — they decide most fee disputes.
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