Towing motor vehicles out of public traffic areas

In principle, the  traffic control department of the city of Stuttgart is responsible for carrying out towing measures on all public traffic areas throughout the city.

In contrast to privately commissioned towing, towing by the police authority is only ever carried out if a registered motor vehicle is parked incorrectly and in a disruptive manner in public traffic areas.

Note: If a motor vehicle is parked in your private space, you can take civil action against it yourself.

Whether you receive a written warning or are towed away depends on various conditions. As a rule, vehicles are towed away for serious parking violations that constitute an obstruction or even a danger to public safety. Serious parking violations are, for example

• on escape routes/ in fire lanes,
• in front of intersections/junctions,
• on restricted areas
• on footpaths and cycle paths,
• directly in front of crosswalks,
• where stopping is prohibited,
• at narrow/ unclear road sections
• on disabled parking spaces or
• at charging stations for electric vehicles

 These are the ten biggest parking sins

Police towing: What costs are incurred by those responsible for the vehicle?

The police authority uses private towing companies to carry out the task of towing vehicles on its behalf. The costs for the towing services are primarily based on the day of the week, the time and the size of the vehicle. In addition, there are administrative fees for processing and field service costs in connection with the towing operation and, if applicable, the costs of the fine proceedings. In total, those responsible for the vehicle must expect to pay several hundred euros in costs and fees. If you are already on the way back to your incorrectly parked vehicle and can still prevent the police from changing the location, you will still have to pay the costs and fees incurred for an empty journey or aborted service.

Where do I report if my vehicle has been towed away?

If your vehicle is no longer parked where you left it, it may have been towed away.

To clarify this question, please contact the police on 0711-8990-0. They will tell you where the vehicle is and where it can be collected.

Accessibility for reporting parking offenders

The Stuttgart traffic monitoring control center for towing measures can be reached from Monday to Sunday from 6.00 a.m. to 10.00 p.m. on +49 711 216-32150. In addition, it is possible to report parking violations together with a photo as evidence from Monday to Friday from 06:30 to 22:00 and on Saturdays from 08:00 to 22:00 (except on public holidays) online at  Report parking violation (opens in a new tab).