Getting an Oakland towed vehicle back starts with confirming where it is stored—not guessing. Follow OPD Records and Auto Plus Towing steps, then book Oakland towing for yard-to-home transport. For Bay Area-wide document prep, see our get car out of impound guide.
Confirm Your Vehicle Was Towed
Oakland contracts with Auto Plus Towing for many city tows. Before you drive to a yard, confirm the vehicle is there—not stolen, not relocated by a roommate, not booted on-street.
Online: use Auto Plus Towing's public lookup by license plate or VIN from their website menu. Phone: (510) 261-8199—Monday–Friday 8 AM–5 PM; weekends and holidays 8 AM–3:30 PM.
OPD Records Division answers 24/7 at (510) 238-3021 to confirm tow status—especially important for stolen-and-recovered vehicles.
Common Oakland tow triggers include: vehicle stolen and recovered by OPD; boot placed but boot fee and tickets unpaid; registration expired 6+ months; more than $2,500 in unpaid Oakland parking tickets; five or more unpaid parking tickets anywhere in California; or vehicle tagged parked in one spot 3+ days without city contact.
OakDOT's Abandoned Auto Unit handles many public-right-of-way abandonments via Oak311—separate from OPD private-property abatement. Your notice should name the authorizing path.
Related resources: Service options • Get a quote • Related guide
OPD Records Release
After confirming the tow, most owners need a vehicle release form from OPD Records before Auto Plus will hand over keys.
Location: Police Administration Building, 455 7th Street, Room 306, Oakland CA 94607. Hours: Monday–Friday 8 AM–3 PM; Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays 8 AM–noon.
Bring a valid driver's license and proof you are the registered owner. Pay the city's administrative vehicle release fee at Records—city tow resource materials list $166 for standard impounds (verify current fee with OPD).
If the vehicle was towed for unpaid Oakland parking tickets, pay those tickets first. The city notes you may also need to clear tickets from other California cities before release. There are no payment plans for towed vehicles.
Evidence holds: if the vehicle is held as evidence in a criminal case, obtain investigator release before Records can process your request. Court orders may be required for public-offense holds.
If you believe the tow was improper, contact the Administrative Hearing Examiner at (510) 238-4484 before or alongside release—see our Oakland tow hearing request guide. Not legal advice.
- OPD Records: (510) 238-3021 (24/7 status)
- Room 306, 455 7th Street
- Valid DL + ownership proof
- Administrative release fee to city
Related resources: Service options • Get a quote • Related guide
Auto Plus Towing and Yard Fees
Take the OPD release form to Auto Plus Towing and pay towing and storage fees before the vehicle is released. City materials reference Auto Plus as the contract storage operator—confirm your notice matches.
Storage fees accrue daily from impound. Call (510) 261-8199 before you travel to confirm balance, hours, and payment types accepted.
Monday mornings see heavy release traffic at East Bay yards. Weekend release may require overtime staffing—ask when you call.
Only the registered owner can contest unpaid tickets tied to the tow. Payment plans are not available for towed vehicles per city guidance.
Inspect the vehicle exterior at pickup. If it will not start, has flat tires, or is EV/AWD, tell the yard before you arrive so they can stage loading.
Confirm tow online
Auto Plus public lookup by plate/VIN or call OPD Records 510-238-3021.
Clear tickets if required
Pay Oakland parking tickets and any blocking out-of-city tickets before release.
OPD Records release
Room 306 with DL and ownership proof; pay administrative release fee.
Pay Auto Plus and transport
Towing/storage to yard; book East Bay dispatch 510-800-3800 if no-start.
Related resources: Service options • Get a quote • Related guide
Transport After Release
Oakland contract yards are often in industrial areas with limited BART access. Plan ride-share or have dispatch meet you at the gate with release paperwork in hand.
Share yard address, bay or row number, steering lock status, and drivetrain type. East Bay hub: 510-800-3800.
If you disputed the tow, you may still need professional transport after paying release fees—hearings address validity, not whether storage paused while you waited.
For consumer protections and predatory tow red flags statewide, see our predatory towing California rights guide.
Bring
- Valid driver's license
- Ownership proof
- Ticket payment receipts
- OPD release form
Avoid
- Wrong yard trip
- Ignoring daily storage
- Disputing without examiner call
Related resources: Service options • Get a quote • Related guide
Oakland Yard Logistics
Auto Plus Towing holds many city-contract impounds—use their public lookup before assuming a private lot address on an old blog post.
Monday mornings see heavy release traffic; call (510) 261-8199 for balance and hours before you leave home.
If plates were stolen, bring police report numbers—the yard may require them before release.
Evidence holds need investigator clearance at OPD before Records can issue a standard release form.
- Auto Plus: (510) 261-8199
- OPD Records: Room 306, 455 7th St
- Payment type confirmed by phone
- Flatbed if no-start or EV/AWD
Related resources: Service options • Get a quote • Related guide