Our Towing Policies

Johnson's Towing Policies

Vehicle Redemption

(1) Vehicles or other items of personal property registered or titled with the department that are impounded by registered tow truck operators pursuant to RCW 46.55.080, 46.55.085, 46.55.113, or 9A.88.140 may be redeemed only under the following circumstances:

(a) Only the legal owner, the registered owner, *a person authorized in writing by the registered owner or the vehicle’s insurer, a person who is determined and verified by the operator to have the permission of the registered owner of the vehicle or other item of personal property registered or titled with the department, or one who has purchased a vehicle or item of personal property registered or titled with the department from the registered owner who produces proof of ownership or written authorization and signs a receipt therefor, may redeem an impounded vehicle or items of personal property registered or titled with the department. In addition, a vehicle impounded because the operator is in violation of RCW 46.20.342(1)(c) shall not be released until a person eligible to redeem it under this subsection (1)(a) satisfies the requirements of (e) of this subsection, including paying all towing, removal, and storage fees, notwithstanding the fact that the hold was ordered by a government agency. If the department’s records show that the operator has been convicted of a violation of RCW 46.20.342 or a similar local ordinance within the past five years, the vehicle may be held for up to thirty days at the written direction of the agency ordering the vehicle impounded. A vehicle impounded because the operator is arrested for a violation of RCW 46.20.342 may be released only pursuant to a written order from the agency that ordered the vehicle impounded or from the court having jurisdiction.

*Company policy requires that letter is notarized for ID purposes.

Personal Property Release

All personal belongings and contents in the vehicle that are not permanently attached must be kept intact, and must be returned to the vehicle’s owner or agent during normal business hours upon request and presentation of a driver’s license or other sufficient identification. The tow operator must without charge and upon demand, release personal property not being held for evidence purposes by the impounding agency, to the vehicle’s owner or agent during normal business hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. except for weekends and state recognized holidays. Release procedures must also follow guidelines as set forth in chapter 308-61 WAC and chapter 46.55 RCW.