Towing Laws in Texas (2026): What You Need to Know
Getting your car towed can be stressful and expensive. Texas has specific laws that protect drivers and set clear rules for towing companies. Understanding these rules can save you money and help you know your rights.
This guide explains Texas towing laws in simple terms. You’ll learn when your car can be towed, what fees you might pay, and how to get your vehicle back.
What Is Vehicle Towing?
Vehicle towing happens when someone moves your car without your permission. This can occur on public roads or private property like parking lots.
In Texas, two main groups can tow your car legally. Police can tow vehicles that break traffic laws or create hazards. Private property owners can also tow cars that park illegally on their land.
Towing companies must follow state laws about fees and procedures. These rules protect you from unfair charges and make sure towing is done safely.
Basic Texas Towing Laws
When Police Can Tow Your Vehicle
Police have the right to tow your car in several situations. If the vehicle is unattended on a bridge, viaduct, or causeway; or if it’s in a tube or tunnel and obstructs traffic, officers can remove it immediately.
Your car can also be towed if it blocks traffic or creates a safety hazard. This includes vehicles parked illegally in fire lanes or handicapped spaces.
If you’re arrested while driving, police will likely impound your vehicle. This happens often in cases like DUI arrests where you cannot safely drive.
Private Property Towing Rules
Private property owners have specific rights to tow vehicles. However, they must follow strict rules about signs and notices.
Signs must be attached to a pole or a wall in each space or placed around the entire lot and be easily visible. The signs must include the international towing symbol and say “Unauthorized Vehicle Will be Towed at Owner or Operator’s Expense.”
Property owners must also include contact information on signs. Signs must include the name and phone number of the storage facility where the car will be towed.
Maximum Towing Fees in Texas
State-Set Maximum Rates
Texas sets maximum fees that towing companies cannot exceed. The rate is $255 for a car weighing up to 10,000 lbs for the basic towing charge.
Many cities have lower rates than state maximums. Most cities regulate tow fees, which will be lower than the maximum allowed under Texas law. Always check your local city’s rates first.
You have the right to pay with different methods. By law, you are entitled to pay the tow operator with cash, debit card, or credit card.
Storage Fees
Storage fees add up quickly once your car is impounded. Starting on January 1, 2024, the allowable daily storage fees will be not more than: $22.85 for a vehicle that is 25 feet or less in length.
$39.99 per day for vehicles over 25 feet in length is the maximum for larger vehicles. These fees can be charged for any part of a day your car is stored.
Storage facilities cannot charge for the first day if your vehicle is picked up within 12 hours. Fee may be charged for any part of the day the vehicle is on the lot except if the vehicle is on the lot for two calendar days but within a 12-hour period.
Drop Fees
A drop fee lets you stop a tow in progress. A drop fee is a charge offered by the tow operator that allows you to stop the tow without paying the full tow charge and additional storage charges.
In Texas, the maximum drop fee is $135 for cars weighing 10,000 pounds or less. This fee only applies if your car isn’t fully hooked up yet.
You cannot get a drop fee if the tow truck has already left with your vehicle. Once the towing process is complete, you’ll need to pay full fees.
Private Property Towing Requirements
Required Signage
Private property must have proper signs before vehicles can be towed. “NO PARKING” signs: The sign must be located in the private parking facility at the time of towing for at least 24 hours.
Signs must be clearly visible from all parking areas. They should include specific information like phone numbers and towing company details.
Property owners cannot tow immediately in some cases. A second tow ticket notice must be mailed to you with the same warning. The property owner has to give you until the 15th day after the postmark date of the notice to move it.
Notice Requirements
Before towing from private property, owners often must give warnings. You may receive an actual notice from the property owner on your windshield that explains that the vehicle is parked in an unauthorized parking space and must be removed.
If you ignore the first notice, property owners have additional steps. They must mail you a second warning before calling a tow truck.
Some situations allow immediate towing without notices. This includes vehicles blocking emergency exits or fire lanes.
Penalties and Consequences
What Happens When Your Car Is Towed
When police tow your car, it goes to an official impound lot. If your vehicle gets towed by the police, they will take it to an impound lot.
You have limited time to claim your vehicle. If your vehicle ends up in an impound lot, you’ll have to act fast. The vehicle storage facility (VSF) may sell your car through a public auction after 30 days.
Storage fees begin immediately when your car arrives at the lot. These charges continue until you pay all fees and retrieve your vehicle.
Additional Fees You Might Pay
Beyond towing and storage, you may face other charges. Currently, the only permissible VSF charges are a notification fee, an impound fee, a daily storage fee and in some locations, a governmental entity fee.
A VSF may send a one-time fee of $50 for sending notification letters to the owners and all lienholders on the vehicle. This covers all required notices.
Some facilities charge impound fees for processing paperwork. The written bill for services (VSF invoice) must say exactly what you did to charge the fee (inventory and securing all unsecured property or the MVR) and the date you did it.
Vehicle Abandonment Laws
When Cars Are Considered Abandoned
Texas has specific rules about abandoned vehicles. Is inoperable, is more than five years old, and has been left unattended on public property for more than 48 hours makes a car legally abandoned.
Cars left on private property without permission become abandoned quickly. Has remained on private property without the consent of the owner or person in charge of the property for more than 48 hours triggers abandonment status.
Highway abandonment has even shorter time limits. Has been left unattended for more than 24 hours on the right-of-way of a turnpike project constructed and maintained by the Texas Turnpike Authority division of the Texas Department of Transportation or a controlled access highway.
Abandonment Process for Storage Facilities
When vehicles aren’t claimed, storage facilities follow specific procedures. A vehicle must be on the lot for at least 24 hours before the first notice is sent.
Facilities must try to contact vehicle owners. If the vehicle is registered in Texas the notice must be sent no later than the fifth day it is on the lot.
After proper notices, facilities can sell unclaimed vehicles. The operator of a vehicle storage facility may dispose of a vehicle for which notice is given under Section 2303.154 if, before the 30th day after the date notice is mailed, the vehicle is not: claimed by a person entitled to claim the vehicle.
How to Retrieve Your Towed Vehicle
Required Documents
To get your car back, you need proper identification and paperwork. To reclaim your vehicle, you must go to the VSF in person and provide the following documents: Proof of identification (state-issued driver’s license, ID card, etc.).
You’ll also need proof of vehicle ownership. This includes your vehicle registration or title documents.
Some facilities may require additional paperwork depending on the towing situation. Always call ahead to ask what documents you need.
Payment Methods
Storage facilities must accept multiple payment types. By law, you are entitled to pay the tow operator with cash, debit card, or credit card.
Facilities cannot require only cash payments. This law protects consumers who may not carry large amounts of cash.
Get an itemized receipt for all payments. This helps you verify charges and dispute any incorrect fees.
Time Limits for Retrieval
You have 30 days to claim your vehicle before serious consequences. Claim your vehicle within 30 days or you could lose your car in a public auction.
Storage fees continue accumulating during this time. The longer you wait, the more expensive retrieval becomes.
Some vehicles can be sold sooner under special circumstances. Old vehicles in poor condition may have shorter claim periods.
Challenging Illegal Tows
Your Right to a Hearing
Texas law gives you the right to challenge towing charges. Request a tow hearing in justice court within 14 days of the tow. The court will hold a hearing within 21 days of filing.
These hearings let you dispute the legality of the tow itself. You can also challenge excessive fees or improper procedures.
Bring evidence to support your case. Photos, receipts, and witness statements can help prove your vehicle was illegally towed.
Grounds for Challenging Tows
Several situations make tows illegal and challengeable. If your car was towed illegally, the operator is not licensed, or the license is invalid or expired, you might not have to pay tow or storage fees.
Improper signage is another common challenge ground. Missing or incorrect signs can make private property tows illegal.
Excessive fees beyond state maximums also provide grounds for disputes. Always compare your charges to legal limits.
Filing Complaints
You can report towing violations to state authorities. For more information on your rights against tow companies, including how to report abuse and sue, see Consumer Information about Towing from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.
Texas towing companies and storage facilities must be licensed. Search the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation License Data Search to see if they have a license.
Unlicensed operators face serious penalties and may have to refund all fees to vehicle owners.
Special Circumstances
Personal Property in Towed Vehicles
Your belongings stay protected even when your car is towed. A towing company cannot take property left inside your car or use your car while it’s in storage.
You have the right to retrieve personal items from towed vehicles. Storage facilities must allow reasonable access to get essential belongings.
Document any missing items immediately. Report theft of personal property to both police and the licensing authority.
Commercial Vehicle Regulations
Commercial vehicles face different towing rules than regular cars. Is an impounded commercial motor vehicle at a vehicle storage facility and the delinquent administrative penalty has not been paid to the Texas Department of Public Safety by the 11th day after being impounded creates abandonment status.
Commercial towing often costs more due to vehicle size and weight. Heavy-duty towing equipment requires higher fees and specialized operators.
Business owners should understand these different rules to avoid unexpected costs and delays.
Emergency Situations
Emergency tows receive different treatment under Texas law. Vehicles blocking emergency vehicles or creating immediate hazards can be towed without normal notice requirements.
Police have broader authority during emergencies to remove vehicles quickly. Public safety takes priority over normal towing procedures.
These emergency tows still must follow fee limits and storage requirements once the immediate danger passes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to get my car out of impound in Texas?
The maximum towing fee is $255 for cars under 10,000 pounds, plus $22.85 per day for storage starting in 2024. Your total cost depends on how long your car stays impounded and any additional fees.
Can I get my car back if I catch the tow truck?
Yes, if the tow truck hasn’t fully secured your vehicle yet. The vehicle will be released at no charge if not fully hooked up; otherwise, a drop fee of up to $135 applies for cars under 10,000 pounds.
How long do I have to get my car from the impound lot?
You have 30 days from the tow date to claim your vehicle. Before the 30th day after the date notice is mailed, the vehicle is not claimed by a person entitled to claim the vehicle, storage facilities can sell it at auction.
What if my car was towed illegally from private property?
You may request a tow hearing with the justice court within 14 days of the tow. The court will hold a hearing within 21 days. If the tow was illegal, you might not have to pay any fees.
Can towing companies refuse credit cards?
No, Texas law requires towing companies and storage facilities to accept credit cards, debit cards, and cash for all fees. They cannot demand cash-only payments.
Final Thoughts
Understanding Texas towing laws protects you from unfair charges and illegal practices. Remember the key points: know the maximum fees, understand your rights to hearings, and act quickly if your car gets towed.
Always check for proper signage on private property and document any problems with photos. If you believe you’ve been treated unfairly, don’t hesitate to file a complaint or request a hearing.
Keep important documents like registration and insurance in your wallet, not your car. This makes vehicle retrieval much easier if towing occurs.