To find a towed car in Wichita, start with the city’s online FindMyCar search, then call the Wichita Police Records Bureau at 316-268-4303. If the car was taken from a private lot, the tow company’s name should be on a sign at the property. This guide walks through each step in order, lists the phone numbers you need, and explains what to bring to get the car back.
Miller’s Towing & Recovery is based at 4309 S Broadway, and we often hear from people who walked out to an empty parking spot. The steps below are the same ones we give them over the phone.
Step 1: Figure Out if It Was Towed or Stolen
A missing car was either towed by police, towed from private property, or stolen. Look for clues before you call anyone.
- You were parked on a street. Wichita does not allow a vehicle to sit on the street for more than 48 hours. The city’s parking FAQ cites Municipal Code Section 11.97.010 for that rule. Police tag a car they think is abandoned with a green impound sticker, wait 48 hours, and can then tow it.
- You were parked in a business or apartment lot. Look for a tow away sign near the entrance. It should name the tow company.
- The car was in a crash, or the driver was arrested. Police likely had it towed and it is in the city’s system.
- None of these fit. The car may be stolen. Finish steps 2 and 3, and if nobody has it, call 911 to file a report.
Step 2: Search for Your Towed Car in Wichita Online
The City of Wichita runs an impound search page called FindMyCar. It is the city’s search tool for impounded vehicles. Have your license plate number and your VIN ready. The VIN is on your insurance card, your registration, and your title.
If the car shows up, write down where it is being held and any case number. If it does not show up, that does not mean it is gone. Private property tows are not city tows, and a car towed in the last hour or two may not be entered yet. Go to step 3.
Step 3: Call the Agency That May Have Ordered the Tow
A towed car in Wichita can be in the hands of one of three agencies. The Wichita Police Records Bureau FAQ lists these numbers.
| Agency | Phone | When to call |
|---|---|---|
| Wichita Police Records Bureau | 316-268-4303 or 316-268-4396 | Monday through Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
| Sedgwick County Sheriff | 316-383-7352 | If the tow was outside city limits or a deputy was involved |
| Kansas Highway Patrol | 316-744-0451 | If the car was left on a highway such as I-135, I-235, or K-96 |
Give the dispatcher your plate number, the make and color of the car, and where you last parked it. Ask three things: who towed it, where it is now, and if there is a hold on it.
Step 4: Check the Lot if It Was a Private Property Tow
If you parked at an apartment complex, a store, or a paid lot in Old Town or Delano, the property owner may have called a tow company. The city explains on its parking laws page that an owner can do this when the lot is properly marked, that the vehicle owner pays for the tow at pickup, and that the City of Wichita is not a party to private tows.
That last point matters. Police may not know where a privately towed car went. Do this instead:
- Go back to the lot and read the tow away sign. Take a photo of it.
- Call the tow company named on the sign.
- If there is no sign, ask the property manager or the business which company they use.
Miller’s handles private property removal for Wichita property owners. If the sign at the lot has our name on it, call 316-351-4754 and we will tell you right away if we have your vehicle. Property owners who want to know the rules can read our guide to towing cars off private property in Kansas.
Why Cars Get Towed by Police in Wichita
Wichita Police Department Policy 404 lists the reasons an officer can impound a vehicle. The common ones are:
- The car is disabled or left alone and is blocking traffic
- It is parked illegally in a way that creates a hazard
- It is parked in a tow zone and has been ticketed
- It is parked on a snow emergency route
- The driver was arrested or was hurt in a crash and could not arrange for the car
- The car is not safe to drive
- It was reported stolen and police recovered it
- It is being held as evidence
If your car was stolen and recovered, the news is good and bad. You get it back, but it is sitting in a tow yard, and the tow and storage bill still has to be paid before it leaves. Ask your insurance agent if your policy covers that bill.
What to Bring to Get a Towed Car in Wichita Released
The Records Bureau says state law requires two things: current registration and a valid government photo ID, such as a driver’s license, state ID card, military ID, or passport. Policy 404 adds that the owner pays the tow and storage charges before the car leaves.
If police placed a hold on the car, the yard cannot release it until the hold is lifted. Ask the Records Bureau who to contact.
Storage is charged by the day, so every day a towed car in Wichita sits in the yard costs more. For a full breakdown of the fees, see our article on what a tow release costs in Wichita.
Can you get your things out before you pay?
For police impounds, the Records Bureau says no, with three exceptions: photo identification, prescription drugs, and legal documents such as a Social Security card or birth certificate. Call the yard first and ask when you can come.
Questions About Finding a Towed Car in Wichita
How do I know if my car was towed or stolen?
Search FindMyCar, call the Records Bureau, and check the lot for a tow sign. If none of the three turns up your car, report it stolen.
How soon should I pick it up?
As soon as you can. Storage fees add up daily, and Kansas law, in K.S.A. 8-1103, lets a tow company start a lien and sale process on a vehicle that is never claimed.
What if my car does not run?
You can have it towed out of the yard. Once it is released to you, any tow company can move it to your home or a repair shop.
What if I cannot afford the fees?
Ask the Records Bureau about the city’s payment plan for police impounds. It has limits on who qualifies and a short deadline to apply, so ask on the first day.
Need Your Car Moved After It Is Released?
If you found your towed car in Wichita and it will not start or is not safe to drive, Miller’s Towing & Recovery can take it from the yard to your mechanic, a body shop, or your driveway. Call 316-351-4754 any time. See all of our towing services in Wichita, KS, learn about auto recovery, or reach us on the contact page.