Driving in Belgrade gives you the freedom to explore the city at your own pace. Having your own vehicle makes it easier to visit the city centre, restaurants, shopping malls, attractions, and places around Belgrade without relying on public transport. However, driving in a large city also comes with certain challenges. One of the most stressful situations for any driver is returning to the place where they parked their car and finding that the vehicle is no longer there. The first thought for many people is that the car has been stolen, but in Belgrade, it is very common for a vehicle to have been removed by the city towing service operated by JKP "Parking Servis" due to illegal or improper parking. This situation can be especially confusing for tourists visiting Belgrade for the first time, as well as for people driving a rental car who are unsure what steps to take. In this guide, we explain how to check if your vehicle has been towed, where to collect it, how much towing costs, and what you should do if you are driving a rental car.
How Can I Check If My Car Has Been Towed?
Before reporting your vehicle as stolen, you should first check whether it has been removed because of illegal parking.
In Belgrade, it is quite common for drivers to return to the place where they parked and assume their car has been stolen, while in reality it has been removed by the city towing service.
You can check whether your vehicle has been removed and where it has been taken in several ways:
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Through the official JKP "Parking Servis" website
The fastest way to check is through the official website:
On the page "Where did the tow truck take my car?", you need to enter your vehicle registration number. After checking, you will receive information about whether your vehicle has been removed and where it is located.
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Through the Parking Servis mobile application
You can also check the status of your vehicle through the official Parking Servis mobile application, which provides access to different parking-related services.
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By contacting Parking Servis customer support
If you do not have internet access or want to get information immediately, you can contact customer support:
11-0-11 or the free number: 0800 11-00-11. The number 11-0-11 can also be called from a mobile phone if you are using a Serbian mobile number.
For checking the vehicle status, you will need your registration plate number. Once you confirm that your vehicle has been removed, you will receive information about where it was taken and where you can collect it. To collect the vehicle, you need appropriate documentation. The vehicle owner must have an ID card/passport and vehicle registration documents. If someone other than the owner is collecting the vehicle, additional authorization or proof of vehicle use may be required.
Where Are the Parking Servis Vehicle Impound Lots in Belgrade?
When a vehicle is removed by the towing service, it is transported to one of the official vehicle impound lots operated by JKP "Parking Servis". The location depends on where the vehicle was removed from. Therefore, you should first check the information through the website, mobile application, or customer service.
Vehicles can be collected from the following locations:
- Staro Sajmište – one of the main locations for collecting removed vehicles.
- Ada Ciganlija – an impound location used for vehicles removed from certain areas of the city.
- Radnička Street – a location where vehicles removed from different parts of Belgrade can be collected.
- Surčin – an impound lot used for vehicles removed from the wider Belgrade area.
Always check the exact location before going to collect your vehicle, as it can only be collected from the impound lot where it was transported.
How Much Does It Cost If Your Car Is Towed in Belgrade?
Many drivers think that they only need to pay a parking fine after their vehicle has been removed, but the total cost can be higher. When JKP "Parking Servis" removes a vehicle, you must pay the vehicle removal service fee. The price depends on the vehicle category, mainly according to the vehicle's weight. This means that removing a small city car is not the same price as removing a large SUV, van, or heavier vehicle. Small city cars such as Renault Clio, Fiat Punto, Opel Corsa, and similar models belong to a lighter category, while larger vehicles have higher towing costs. In addition to the towing fee, the driver may also receive a parking violation fine. Additional costs may occur if the vehicle is not collected on time. After a certain period, a daily storage fee (impound storage fee) is charged for keeping the vehicle at the impound lot. According to Parking Servis information, the storage fee starts after 72 hours from the time the vehicle was transported. For this reason, it is recommended not to delay collecting your vehicle, as every additional day can increase the total cost.
When Is a Vehicle Removed Immediately?
Not every parking violation results in the vehicle being removed. However, some situations represent a serious obstruction or safety risk, and removal is very likely.
A vehicle is commonly removed when it is parked:
- on tram tracks or in a way that prevents trams from passing
- on a pedestrian crossing
- in a way that blocks traffic flow
- in a disabled parking space without the required permit
- where it blocks emergency access
- in front of entrances, passages, or access points
Parking on tram tracks and pedestrian crossings is especially risky. Many drivers assume that stopping for just a few minutes will not cause a problem, but these are exactly the situations where vehicles are frequently removed.
When Can a Vehicle Receive a Fine but Not Be Removed?
Not every incorrectly parked vehicle is automatically towed. In some situations, a driver may receive a parking fine, but the vehicle may not be removed, especially if it does not directly affect traffic safety or prevent normal traffic flow. However, you should not rely on the assumption that "the tow truck will not come". The decision depends on the exact situation, the assessment of the authorities, and how much the vehicle affects traffic. In central Belgrade, controls are more frequent due to heavy traffic and limited parking availability, so the risk of removal is higher.
What If Your Rental Car Gets Towed in Belgrade?
If you are driving a rental car and it gets towed, the most important thing is to immediately inform the rental car company. Do not wait until the end of your rental period and do not ignore the situation. The vehicle belongs to the rental company, and any costs caused by illegal parking may be charged to the person who rented the vehicle. When collecting the vehicle from the impound lot, carefully inspect the car before leaving. Pay special attention to any new damage that was not present before the vehicle was removed. If you notice damage caused during the lifting, transportation, or unloading of the vehicle by the towing service, you should report it immediately to JKP "Parking Servis". If the damage occurred during their intervention, compensation should be requested from the service responsible for removing the vehicle. However, it is important to report only genuine new damage. Do not report scratches, dents, or other damage that already existed before the vehicle was removed. Before towing a vehicle, Parking Servis photographs and records its condition, so previous damage will not be compensated. Such claims will only waste your time and will not result in compensation. The best approach is to carefully inspect the vehicle when collecting it and report only damage that was actually caused during the towing process.
How to Avoid Having Your Car Towed in Belgrade?
The easiest way to avoid this unpleasant situation is to use marked parking spaces and always pay attention to traffic signs. Be especially careful in the city centre, near pedestrian zones, tram routes, major intersections, and busy streets. If you are driving in Belgrade for the first time, spending a few extra minutes finding legal parking is much better than losing time later visiting an impound lot and dealing with additional costs.