HOW TO USE the MOME NYPD/Vehicle Towing Unit (VTU) Program

The MOME NYPD/VTU Program is designed to permit Film/TV companies to secure curbside space for production vehicles with the least possible inconvenience to local residents.

1.  The production company must first get authorization for relocation assistance from MOME.  In the pre-production meeting with MOME and the NYPD Movie/TV Unit, a preliminary discussion of locations that would benefit from the towing program should be included as they are reviewed. VTU is most often used on residential streets that have alternate day street cleaning regulations.

Please note: the towing program is NOT available for digging out parking on short notice or for locations where frequent turnover is mandated by posted restrictions.

2.  Your permit must be submitted to this office NO LATER THAN 9AM FIVE (5) BUSINESS DAYS prior to the time that you request VTU assistance.  (This does not include Saturday and Sunday hours).  The VTU request is made on the Locations Requests page of your online permit application and must include the number of trucks requested, the date, time and location of where the tow truck(s) will report AND the contact name and cell number of the on-site production representative designated to meet the tow truck driver(s).  Example: “REQUEST: VTU Assistance, 2 trucks: Tues. February 28th @ 6:00AM to meet at 3rd Avenue & East 26th Street. On-site production representative: Joe Smith 917-555-5555.”  

The MOME coordinator will then inform you if your request has been approved. Tow signs CANNOT be posted until you’ve received MOME’s approval. You will then need to provide a photograph of the signs posted at your approved location. NOTE: The production company must contact VTU the day before the shoot (excluding weekends & holidays) to confirm date, time and location. (No private tow companies may be used).

3.  The production must post VTU signs before the resident vehicles legally “PARK-IN” as regulations indicate on the streets being cleared. This means in certain circumstances, signs must be posted and maintained 6-7 days in advance of the VTU request.  EXAMPLE: regulations read: No Parking 8am-11am Tuesday. Civilian vehicles legally parking on Tuesday at 11am, do not have to move their vehicles until the following Tuesday at 8am.  However, your call time is Monday at 6am and (2) VTU trucks were requested for 10pm on Sunday.  In order for you to use the VTU service, your signs MUST have been posted by 10am on the previous Tuesday so that residents know they must move their vehicles by 10pm on Sunday - or subsequently be relocated to the nearest legal spot.  In addition, the signs also indicate the dates & times of the actual shoot ONLY. SIGNS may be posted on meters, light poles or on cones.  THEY MUST NOT BE TAPED TO TREES.  Maintenance of the VTU NO PARKING signs is the responsibility of the production. MOME will provide productions with the official VTU parking sign that must be used.

4.  VTU will assign and send the requested trucks and drivers as well as the any required supervision.  They will report to the requested location at the confirmed date and time to meet with the on-site representative of the production.  Any cars remaining on the street will be relocated to the nearest available legal parking spot.

5.  The production’s on-site representative must obtain a copy of the relocation log from the tow truck driver(s). This log includes the vehicle make, model & plate number and most importantly, where each vehicle was relocated to.  The log should be kept on set AT ALL TIMES until the location is wrapped, in order to assist civilians in finding their vehicles.  It is suggested that these logs be kept for your financial records and future reference.

6.  Cancellation. VTU policy states that 24 business hours notice (excluding weekends & holidays) must be given for a cancellation, or the production will be billed for the minimum 4 hour rate.

VTU ASSISTANCE FEE SCHEDULE

Please contact VTU directly for all fee schedule information.

Business Hours: Mon-Fri 8AM-6PM

Phone (212) 268-3229