In a statement to the press, Tijuana’s City Attorney, Teresita de Jesús Balderas Beltrán, announced a reform recently approved by the City Council regarding the towing regulations for stolen vehicles.
Under the new rule, cars reported stolen will now be taken to municipal impound lots instead of state-run facilities. Owners will have three business days to claim their vehicles without paying towing or storage fees (a major change from the previous 24-hour limit).
Previously, stolen vehicles were sent to a concessionaire under the State Attorney General’s Office, a process that delayed recovery and forced owners to pay additional costs. The reform speeds up the process and removes both financial and bureaucratic burdens for theft victims.
Simpler Recovery Process
With the new rule, owners of stolen vehicles can go directly to the impound lot in their local district to claim their cars.
To make the process easier, the city has also set up an online tool. By clicking on the “Tow Truck” icon on the municipal website, users can enter their license plate or VIN number to see which lot their vehicle is in, and even view photos of it.
Applies to Foreign Visitors as Well
The reform also applies to U.S. citizens and other foreigners whose vehicles are stolen in Tijuana. “This benefit covers all vehicles that are taken to a municipal impound lot,” said Balderas Beltrán.
To recover a vehicle, owners must present the official theft report.
Authorities clarified that the measure does not apply to vehicles involved in accidents or those under investigation by prosecutors.
Tijuana currently has six tow and impound companies operating across the city’s nine districts. Balderas Beltrán emphasized that the goal is to better serve the public and ensure a faster, simpler recovery process.
