Virginia County Modernizes Private Towing Process With Launch of Autura Platform
What to Know
- Autura enables residents to search for towed vehicles online using license plates or VINs, reducing the need for phone calls to the communications center.
- Authorized tow companies are now required to input vehicle details directly into the system, which are verified and uploaded to law enforcement databases.
- The platform improves operational efficiency by prioritizing emergency calls and streamlining vehicle recovery processes.
WOODBRIDGE, Virginia -- Prince William County has launched a new digital towing management platform designed to modernize how private tows are reported, verified and accessed by the public. The system, known as Autura, is being implemented by the Department of Public Safety Communications (DPSC) to improve operational efficiency while reducing non-emergency call volume to the county’s communications center.
DPSC processes more than 2,000 private tows each month. Prior to the rollout, residents and towing companies were required to call the Public Safety Communications Center to report a tow or confirm a vehicle’s status, according to a news release.
Under the new system, those transactions move to an online platform, allowing residents to independently locate their vehicles while enabling call takers to prioritize emergency and time-sensitive communications.
In a statement, DPSC Director Michele Surdam said the platform is intended to make the towing process faster and more accessible for the public while improving internal workflow. She said residents can now locate towed vehicles without calling the communications center, reducing delays and improving service efficiency.
Authorized towing companies operating in Prince William County are now required to enter vehicle information directly into the Autura portal. Once submitted, DPSC staff verify the information and upload it into national law enforcement databases, including the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and the Virginia Criminal Information Network (VCIN). According to the county, automating this process helps ensure accuracy while streamlining coordination between tow operators, dispatch staff and law enforcement systems.
Residents can search for towed vehicles in real time by visiting search.autoreturn.com/find-vehicle and entering a license plate number, vehicle identification number or other identifying details. The system provides towing company information, vehicle location and instructions for recovery. County officials say this direct access improves transparency and reduces uncertainty for vehicle owners.
To support implementation, DPSC identified 14 tow companies that routinely conduct private tows in the county and provided them with training materials and instructions on using the system. The department is also conducting outreach to residential communities, including apartment complexes, townhome associations and homeowners associations, to inform residents about the new process.
County Executive Chris Shorter said the platform reflects a broader effort to use technology to improve public service delivery by reducing unnecessary call volume and improving responsiveness.