§ 10650 Towing And Vehicle Records

Vehicle Code·California

AI SummaryVerified

This law says that towing companies and garages must keep records of any car they store for more than 12 hours. They have to write down details about the car and who owns it.

Key Takeaways

•Towing companies and garages must keep records of stored cars for more than 12 hours.
•The record must include the owner's name, car details, and any damage.
•Records must be kept for one year and shown to police if asked.
•When the car is picked up, they must note who took it and when.

Example

If your car breaks down and gets towed to a garage, the garage must write down your name, your car's details, and any damage it has.

The garage has to keep this record for a year and show it to the police if asked. When you pick up your car, they must also write down when and to whom the car was released.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source

View on CA.gov

§ 10650 Towing And Vehicle Records

(a) Every operator of a towing service and every keeper of a garage or trailer park shall keep a written record of every vehicle of a type subject to registration under this code stored for a period longer than 12 hours. (b) The record shall contain the name and address of the person storing the vehicle or requesting the towing, the names of the owner and driver of the vehicle, if ascertainable, and a brief description of the vehicle including the name or make, the motor or other number of the vehicle, the nature of any damage to the vehicle, and the license number and registration number shown by the license plates or registration card, if either of the latter is attached to the vehicle in a clearly discernible place. (c) All records shall be kept for one year from the commencement of storage and shall be open to inspection by any peace officer. (d) Upon termination of the storage, a statement shall be added to the record as to the disposition of the vehicle, including the name and address of the person to whom the vehicle was released and the date of such release. (Amended by Stats. 1974, Ch. 271.)

Last verified: January 9, 2026

Key Terms

towing service garage or trailer park written record vehicle of a type subject to registration one year peace

References

Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
California Legislature. Vehicle Code. Section 10650.

§ 10650 Towing And Vehicle Records

Vehicle Code·California

AI SummaryVerified

§ 10650 Towing And Vehicle Records

This law says that towing companies and garages must keep records of any car they store for more than 12 hours. They have to write down details about the car and who owns it.

Key Takeaways

•Towing companies and garages must keep records of stored cars for more than 12 hours.
•The record must include the owner's name, car details, and any damage.
•Records must be kept for one year and shown to police if asked.
•When the car is picked up, they must note who took it and when.

Example

If your car breaks down and gets towed to a garage, the garage must write down your name, your car's details, and any damage it has.

The garage has to keep this record for a year and show it to the police if asked. When you pick up your car, they must also write down when and to whom the car was released.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source

View on CA.gov

§ 10650 Towing And Vehicle Records

Last verified: January 9, 2026

Key Terms

towing service garage or trailer park written record vehicle of a type subject to registration one year peace

References

Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
California Legislature. Vehicle Code. Section 10650.

Key Takeaways

Example

Key Terms

Related Statutes

References

Key Takeaways

Example

Key Terms

Related Statutes

References