If your car was towed from Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC) property—or an adjacent city street while you were traveling—the release process usually runs through SJPD before the tow yard hands over keys. Here is the step-by-step paperwork path, then how to line up light-duty towing if you need transport after release.
What the Release Form Covers
A vehicle release confirms you are the registered or legal owner (or authorized agent) and that required city fees are addressed per SJPD's published process. In most San Jose impounds, the tow company cannot release the vehicle until SJPD issues that release.
Airport enforcement is not one uniform rule. Terminal curbs, economy lots, cell phone waiting areas, and rideshare staging zones can involve different contractors and notice formats. Fly San Jose parking terms reference California Vehicle Code and San Jose Municipal Code authority for citation and tow at owner expense, with reclaimed vehicles directed to SJPD at (408) 277-4156.
SJPD's Auto Desk at 201 W. Mission Street handles releases Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 4 PM at the public counter (effective July 1, 2025). Vehicle releases can also be obtained online outside regular counter hours through SJPD's published online release form—confirm the current link on sjpd.org before you travel.
This article is informational only. Fee schedules, hours, and forms change. Verify requirements on official SJPD and Fly San Jose websites the day you plan pickup.
SJPD lobby hours at 201 W. Mission St run Monday–Friday 8 AM–5 PM; public Auto Desk counter is 8 AM–4 PM per the July 2025 schedule posted on sjpd.org.
- Terminal curbs vs economy lots use different enforcement partners
- Cell phone lot tows may route to off-airport yards
- Online SJPD release available outside counter hours
Related resources: Service options • Get a quote • Related guide
Documents to Bring
SJPD lists these conditions for a standard vehicle release: you must be the registered or legal owner; the vehicle must be currently registered with DMV; you need a valid driver's license or a licensed driver present; and you need government identification. A city vehicle release fee is payable to the City of San Jose—see SJPD's current fee list for accepted payment types (cash, cashier's check, money order, Visa, Mastercard, Discover).
The tow company charges separate storage and tow fees. SJPD notes tow companies accept cash, personal check, or credit cards—call the yard for the exact balance before you arrive so you are not turned away for payment method.
If you are not the registered owner, agencies often require a notarized authorization letter. Lien holders and finance companies may require their own release—check loan paperwork if the yard mentions a hold.
Photograph the vehicle's exterior at pickup before signing release paperwork. If keys are inside, the car is in park with a dead 12V, or the vehicle is AWD/EV, tell the yard before you arrive so they can stage appropriate loading.
To obtain personal property still inside the vehicle, contact the tow company directly—SJPD states this department does not issue property-only releases.
- Government photo ID
- Current DMV registration
- Licensed driver if you cannot drive
- SJPD release confirmation
- Payment for city + tow company fees
Related resources: Service options • Get a quote • Related guide
Airport Property vs City Street Tows
A tow from SJC-managed parking or curbs may still route through SJPD for release even when a private contractor stored the vehicle off-airport. A tow from a city street in San Jose follows the same SJPD Auto Desk in most cases—but the storage yard address on your notice is the one you drive to after release.
To check status before you leave the airport, call SJPD Vehicle Records at (408) 277-4156 or the 24-hour assistance line at (408) 277-4263 (unavailable daily 12–2 PM). For transport after release, San Jose towing dispatch coordinates airport-adjacent yard pickups when you share the release window and whether the vehicle rolls.
If you no longer own the vehicle but received a Notice of Stored Vehicle, file a Release of Liability with DMV—SJPD says no police contact is required in that scenario. For county-wide context beyond SJC, see our Bay Area impound release guide.
Unlicensed or suspended-driver tows may trigger a 30-day hold under California law. SJPD notes early release may be possible if the driver obtains a valid license—confirm eligibility with the Auto Desk before assuming standard release rules apply.
Confirm tow origin
Match terminal, economy, cell lot, or city street to the agency and yard on your notice.
Obtain SJPD release
Auto Desk at 201 W. Mission St, online form after hours, or call (408) 277-4156 with plate/VIN.
Pay city + tow fees
SJPD release fee to City of San Jose; separate storage/tow bill to the tow company—confirm methods by phone.
Plan transport out
If the car will not roll or is AWD/EV, book flatbed pickup timed to your release window.
Related resources: Service options • Get a quote • Related guide
When to Request a Tow Out
Many owners can drive away after paying fees— but airport lots and yards often surface issues: dead battery, flat tires, lowered suspension, or AWD/EV drivetrains that cannot roll onto a wheel-lift safely.
If the vehicle will not start or should not be driven, plan flatbed transport from the yard to your home or shop. Ask the yard about ceiling clearance and whether their roll-back can load without scraping underbody panels.
Rideshare and rental fleets sometimes require their own roadside vendor to pay release fees or authorize pickup. Confirm with the fleet before you pay out of pocket.
Heavy Haulers dispatch quotes transport from the storage facility once you have a release time. Share yard address, color, last six of VIN, steering lock status, and drivetrain type. South Bay line: 408-800-3800. If you believe the tow was improper, file a hearing within 10 days—see our San Jose tow hearing guide for CVC §22852 steps.
- Dead 12V on EV—plan flatbed even without crash damage
- Rental fleet may require their vendor to authorize payment
- Dispute? File SJPD hearing within 10 days of notice date
Bring to release
- Valid ID and DMV registration
- Licensed driver if needed
- SJPD release confirmation
- Payment for city and yard fees
Skip these mistakes
- Driving to wrong yard without calling
- Arriving during 12–2 PM phone gap unprepared
- Assuming wheel-lift for AWD/EV
Related resources: Service options • Get a quote • Related guide
Release Day Checklist
Morning-of: call the tow yard and SJPD Auto Desk to confirm both are open and that your release cleared—holiday staffing compresses windows at airport-area yards.
Screenshot the Fly San Jose parking page for the lot type you used if the yard asks which zone originated the tow.
Bring two payment methods: SJPD city release fee (per published fee list) plus tow-company storage—yards and the city may not accept the same card types.
Walk around the vehicle before signing release paperwork and photograph any damage that was not present when the car was towed.
- Plate, VIN, or case number for SJPD lookup
- Government photo ID and current registration
- SJPD release before yard pickup (most cases)
- Flatbed plan if AWD, EV, or no-start
Related resources: Service options • Get a quote • Related guide