If your car was towed in Minnesota, the law gives you real protections: notice, time to reclaim it before any sale, a reasonable fee, and your personal property back. Here is what Minnesota Statutes 168B and 514 actually guarantee, so you know what to insist on.
You are owed notice
When a vehicle is impounded, Minnesota Statutes 168B.06 requires notice to the registered owner and identifiable lienholders within five business days of the impound. That notice tells you where the car is and what your rights are. If you never got notice, that is worth raising, because the whole disposal process is built on it.
Time before a sale
A car is not sold out from under you overnight. Under 168B.051, a junk or abandoned vehicle can be sold 15 days after notice. An unauthorized vehicle in Minneapolis or St. Paul has a 15-day window, extended to 45 days if you file a statement of intent to reclaim within the first 15 days. In other jurisdictions the window is 45 days. If a lien sale is involved, 514.20 requires certified-mail notice to secured creditors 45 days before the sale is effective, and 514.21 requires a public auction with published notice.
A reasonable fee
For a private-property tow, 168B.035 says the charge must be reasonable for the type of vehicle and the circumstances. You can ask for an itemized bill and dispute a charge that does not fit the job. For a city tow, the fee is set and published by the city, so you can check it against the city’s own schedule.
Your belongings
The personal property inside your car is yours. Ask the lot how to retrieve your belongings. Minnesota’s notice rules even address low-income owners being able to retrieve contents. Do not let a fee dispute keep you from getting your property out.
Move quickly, keep records
Storage is charged daily, so claim the car as soon as you can. Keep the notice, the itemized bill, photos, and the location. If something looks wrong, whether it is missing notice or a fee that does not match the job, your records are what make the challenge stick.
Frequently asked questions
How soon must I be notified after a tow in Minnesota? Within five business days of the impound, to the registered owner and identifiable lienholders, under Statute 168B.06.
How long before a towed car can be sold? 15 days after notice for a junk or abandoned vehicle, and 15 or up to 45 days for an unauthorized vehicle depending on the jurisdiction and whether you file to reclaim, under 168B.051.
Can I get my belongings out of an impounded car? Yes. Your personal property is yours. Ask the lot how to retrieve it, separate from any fee dispute.
What if the fee seems too high? For a private-property tow, the charge has to be reasonable under 168B.035. Get an itemized bill and dispute a charge that does not match the actual job.