Some just want to go to the bakery or the ATM "just for a moment", others overlook the no parking sign or even park in the wrong place at their own risk. For drivers, the big shock often comes when they are back on the road - but their car is no longer: towed away! In Hamburg, this unpleasant experience is now even more expensive.

Drivers have already had to dig deep into their pockets for the towing service: up to 340 euros are due in Hamburg if the car is moved by the police. If the car is taken to the new car jail at the airport, there are additional costs. According to the NDR, drivers have to reckon with another 250 to 380 euros if their car is parked there.

From next year, these prices will rise again significantly: Instead of 340 euros for towing, up to 470 euros will then be due - a price increase of around 38 percent!

The reason for this is not higher costs for the city of Hamburg, but a new round of tenders: every five years, the Hamburg police have to obtain new offers for the service - and this year all providers were significantly more expensive than the previous offers.

In the tenders, the towing companies indicated higher fuel and salary costs - a cost increase that they are now passing on to drivers.

But there is at least one piece of good news for motorists: the city of Hamburg itself does not plan to increase its fees any further. The administration costs remain at 170 euros - but with costs of almost 500 euros for towing, that will probably not be much consolation for most drivers. If you see all the signs, it is better to pay attention to them.

Source: NDR