Emergency Contacts
If anyone is injured, in immediate danger, or a vehicle is blocking traffic in a dangerous way, call 911 first. Everything else on this page comes after that.
When to Call 911 vs. When to Call a Tow Company
| Situation | Who to call |
|---|---|
| Injury, fire, smoke, fuel leak, immediate danger | 911 |
| Vehicle blocking a live traffic lane or on a blind curve/highway shoulder | 911 or *647 (NHP) — get eyes on the scene fast |
| Car broke down safely off the road, no injuries | A towing company from our directory |
| Accident with no injuries, vehicles drivable or safely off the road | Local police non-emergency line to file a report, then a tow company if needed |
| Locked keys in car, dead battery, flat tire | A roadside assistance company from our directory |
| Car impounded by police or towed from private property | See our guide: What to Do If Your Car Gets Towed |
Statewide Emergency & Safety Numbers
- Emergency (police, fire, medical): 911
- Nevada Highway Patrol (from any cell phone): dial *647 (*NHP) — routes directly to NHP dispatch for highway incidents, faster than general 911 for freeway situations
- Nevada 511 — Road Conditions & Closures: dial 511 or visit nvroads.com — critical during wildfire season, winter storms in northern Nevada, and dust storms/flash flooding in the south
Local Non-Emergency Police Lines
- Las Vegas Metro Police: (702) 828-3111
- North Las Vegas PD: (702) 633-9111
- Henderson PD: (702) 267-4911
- Boulder City PD: (702) 293-9224
- Reno Police Department: (775) 334-2677
- Sparks Police Department: (775) 353-2200
- Carson City Sheriff's Office: (775) 887-2500
Regulatory & Consumer Protection
- Nevada Transportation Authority — file a towing complaint: nta.nv.gov/Forms/Complaints
- Verify a tow company's license: NTA Active Certificates Database
A Few Things Worth Knowing
If you're broken down on a rural highway (US-95, US-93, I-80, and similar stretches), cell coverage can be spotty and response times are realistically much longer than in the Las Vegas or Reno metro areas. If you have any signal at all, share your exact location (mile marker, nearest cross street, or GPS coordinates) with whoever you call. Nevada 511 can also tell you about current road conditions that might be a factor.
If you suspect you were towed unfairly — for example, towed from a spot with no visible signage, or charged fees that seem far outside what your tow company quoted — the Nevada Transportation Authority regulates non-consent towing rates and handles exactly these complaints. Don't assume there's no recourse.
If your car was towed as part of a DUI arrest or other police impound, hold periods and release procedures are different from a standard tow — expect the vehicle to be held for a minimum period set by the arresting agency, not the tow yard. Contact the arresting agency directly, not the tow company, to find out when and how it can be released.