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Your rights after a tow in Georgia

Georgia law sets rules for towing from private property, such as apartment complexes and store lots. One set of maximum rates applies across the state. Here is what the law says, in plain English.

Maximum charges in Georgia

$228.00

Most they can charge to tow a standard car from private property

$33.00

Most they can charge per day of storage, starting after 24 hours

These rates may have changed since this schedule was published. Schedules are often updated once a year, so check the official source before relying on them.

Other Georgia (statewide, Department of Public Safety) maximums
Charge	Maximum
After-hours or gate fee	$65.00
Operator fee (hooked or loaded but still on property)	$130.00
Police notification fee (first 24 hours)	$26.00
Police notification fee (after 72 hours)	$65.00
Notification fees, cumulative cap	$91.00
Daily storage, electric vehicle	$60.00

These are statewide maximums for towing from private property. No storage charge for the first 24 hours or on days the lot is closed. A city may set lower caps but not higher. See the official Georgia (statewide, Department of Public Safety) rates (opens in a new tab).

Pick your city

Tow-away signs

Signs must be posted at each designated entrance and be at least 12 by 18 inches, clearly visible from every parking space. If a lot has no designated entrance, signs must be 6 feet above grade. DPS Rule 570-38-7-.14; DPS NCT FAQ Q13 (opens in a new tab)
The sign must warn that unauthorized vehicles will be towed at the owner's expense and list the tow company's name, address and phone, towing and daily storage fees, hours, and accepted payment methods. Payment cannot be listed as cash only. O.C.G.A. 44-1-13(a.1); DPS Rule 570-38-7-.14; DPS NCT FAQ Q13 (opens in a new tab)
Signs must be up for at least 24 hours before a vehicle can be towed from the lot. DPS NCT FAQ Q11 (opens in a new tab)
The posting rules do not apply to private residential property with four or fewer residential units. O.C.G.A. 44-1-13(a.1); Tariff No. 5 (opens in a new tab)

If you get back before the tow leaves

If your car has not been hooked or loaded and you show up with the key, the company may not tow it or charge a fee. If it is already hooked or loaded but has not left the property, the fee is capped at $130 for vehicles under 20,000 lb (GVWR) and $195 above that. DPS Rule 570-38-7-.16; Tariff No. 5 Sec. 2.C.1 (opens in a new tab)

Who may tow and how

Only companies with a Georgia DPS nonconsensual towing permit and a secure impound lot may tow from private property, and the property owner must have a contract with them. DPS keeps a list of permitted companies. O.C.G.A. 44-1-13(a.1), (d)(2); DPS NCT FAQ Q17 (opens in a new tab)
A tow company may not patrol a lot and tow on its own. The property owner or agent must call the company and sign for each individual tow, and companies may not pay property owners for the right to tow. O.C.G.A. 44-1-13(f); DPS NCT FAQ Q15 (opens in a new tab)
Starting February 15, 2026, booting companies must post signs at each entrance with their name, a 24-hour phone number for boot removal, payment methods, and flat all-inclusive rates by vehicle weight. Georgia Consumer Protection Division summary of 2026 booting rules (opens in a new tab)

Where your car is kept

Georgia sets no mile limit. The company's secure lot (fenced at least 6 feet, lit, locked or enclosed) must be in the same county as its tow office unless DPS approves otherwise. DPS Rule 570-38-7-.21; DPS NCT FAQ Q4 (opens in a new tab)
There is no statewide lookup for towed cars. Check the signs on the lot and call the local police non-emergency line, and DPS publishes a list of permitted nonconsensual tow companies. Georgia Consumer Protection Division towing page (opens in a new tab)

Getting your car back

The tow company must keep an attendant at its office during normal business hours five days a week plus at least four hours on one more day, and an attendant reachable by phone 24 hours a day to release vehicles. DPS Rule 570-38-7-.17 (opens in a new tab)
Expect to show a valid driver's license, your ignition key, proof of ownership such as title or registration, and payment. DPS Rule 570-38-7-.18 (opens in a new tab)
Companies must take cash, money orders, certified checks or cashier's checks. They may accept debit or credit cards, but if they do, they cannot add a fee for using one. DPS Rule 570-38-7-.18; Tariff No. 5 (opens in a new tab)
No Georgia law requires lot access, but DPS requires that an owner showing proof of ownership get at least one chance to retrieve personal items not attached to the vehicle. DPS NCT FAQ Q9-Q10 (opens in a new tab)
DPS says no Georgia law requires a company to let you inspect the car before paying. Georgia law has no rule that bars a damage waiver either, so read anything you are asked to sign. DPS NCT FAQ Q9 (opens in a new tab)
The release invoice must be signed by both you and the company attendant and list the property, charges and vehicle details. Write any damage on it before you sign. DPS NCT FAQ Q16; DPS Rule 570-38-7-.19 (opens in a new tab)

What they can charge

For a car of 10,000 lb or less, the cap is $228 to tow and $33 per day for storage. These are statewide maximums for private-property tows under DPS Tariff No. 5. O.C.G.A. 44-1-13(b); DPS Maximum Rate Tariff No. 5 Sec. 2 (opens in a new tab)
No storage fee for the first 24 hours after the car leaves the property, and none for any day the lot is closed and you cannot claim the car. O.C.G.A. 44-1-13(b)(1); Tariff No. 5 Sec. 2.B (opens in a new tab)
A police notification fee is capped at $26 in the first 24 hours and $65 after 72 hours, $91 total. An after-hours release fee is capped at $65. The listed fees are meant to be all-inclusive, with no extra charge for dollies, lifts or other equipment. Tariff No. 5 Sec. 2.C; DPS Rule 570-38-7-.13 (opens in a new tab)
A city may require lower maximum rates inside its limits but may never allow higher ones than DPS sets. Ask which city the tow happened in and check its ordinance. O.C.G.A. 44-1-13(b)(2), (d) (opens in a new tab)

Unclaimed cars

After 30 days, the company must follow the Georgia abandoned motor vehicle process in Title 40, Chapter 11 before it can sell the car. Contact the company early so the car does not reach that point. Tariff No. 5 Sec. 2.C.5; O.C.G.A. Title 40, Ch. 11 (opens in a new tab)

If you think the tow was wrong

If a company or property owner violated the towing law, you can sue for actual damages, presumed to be at least $100, plus court costs. For an intentional violation a court must award three times actual damages. O.C.G.A. 44-1-13(e) (opens in a new tab)
We did not find a Georgia bond procedure to release the car before a hearing. The usual route is to pay, keep every receipt, and file in magistrate court for claims up to $15,000. O.C.G.A. 15-10-2; O.C.G.A. 44-1-13(e) (opens in a new tab)
If you paid by credit card, you can dispute the charge with your card issuer. For billing errors, your written dispute generally must reach the issuer within 60 days of the first bill showing the charge. Whether a tow charge qualifies is up to the issuer. Fair Credit Billing Act (FTC guidance) (opens in a new tab)

Where to complain

Georgia Department of Public Safety, Motor Carrier Compliance Division (Nonconsensual Towing). DPS permits and regulates towing from private property and sets the maximum rates. Use it to report overcharges, missing signs or other violations by a permitted company. File a complaint (opens in a new tab)
Georgia Attorney General Consumer Protection Division. Takes consumer complaints about towing and booting. Phone (404) 651-8600 or toll-free in Georgia (800) 869-1123. File a complaint (opens in a new tab)

Georgia magistrate court hears civil claims up to $15,000 and you do not need a lawyer. The Georgia Magistrate Courts Council has a free forms generator on its site.

Check your tow

Sources

Last checked 2026-10-17. These are the laws and official pages this page is based on.