Home / States / Oklahoma

Your rights after a tow in Oklahoma

Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma

Not published

Tow maximum not stated as a flat amount; see notes below

$23.94

Oklahoma (statewide, Corporation Commission nonconsensual tow rates) ceiling per day of storage

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 Oklahoma (statewide, Corporation Commission nonconsensual tow rates) maximums
Charge	Maximum
Administrative fee	$33.25
After-hours or gate fee	$19.95
Drop fee (released before removal, under 10,000 lb)	$99.75
Hookup, vehicle 8,000 lb or less (distance rates)	$108.06
Distance rate per mile, 8,000 lb or less, 25 miles or less	$4.99
Distance rate per mile, 8,000 lb or less, over 25 miles	$4.16
Hourly rate, vehicle 8,000 lb or less (min 1.5 hours)	$99.75
Ownership/lienholder check for private property impound	$33.25
Lien notice processing fee (plus actual certified postage)	$50.00
After-hours release, per quarter hour	$19.95

There is no single flat tow price. A company bills either distance (hookup plus per-mile) or hourly, not both, so a typical short tow can be about $108 plus mileage, and fuel surcharge adjustments may apply. Companies may charge less than these maximums. See the official Oklahoma (statewide, Corporation Commission nonconsensual tow rates) rates (opens in a new tab).

Pick your city

Who can tow from private property

A property owner, legal possessor or agent can have a car removed if it has sat there at least 48 hours and looks abandoned, or if it was left there without express or implied permission. 47 O.S. 954A(A) (opens in a new tab)
Only a Class AA licensed wrecker service may do this kind of private-property tow, and it must come from the county where the property is, unless none can respond in a reasonable time. 47 O.S. 954A(B); OAC 595:25-5-7(a) (opens in a new tab)
Before the car is hooked up, the property owner or agent and the driver must sign a state Tow Request and Authorization Form that describes the car and lists what is inside it. A tow without the completed form is not allowed. 47 O.S. 954A(D)-(H); OAC 595:25-5-7(e) (opens in a new tab)

Tow-away signs

The state private-property tow law and wrecker rules I read do not require tow-away signs. Any sign rules would come from a city ordinance, which this research could not check. 47 O.S. 954A; OAC 595:25-5-7 (opens in a new tab)

Notice and police reports

The tow company must send a copy of the form to the Department of Public Safety and to the local police (or the sheriff outside a city) within 72 hours of the tow. Calling the police non-emergency line is a good way to find where your car went. OAC 595:25-5-7(b); 47 O.S. 954A(F) (opens in a new tab)
The tow company must ask the state for the owner's name within 3 business days, then mail you a certified notice of where the car is within 7 days of getting it. If the company skips this notice, you do not owe storage charges. 47 O.S. 954A(G) (opens in a new tab)
The notice of lien (and any later notice of sale) must itemize the charges and be notarized. Only the state-allowed processing fee of $50 plus actual postage may be added for these notices. 42 O.S. 91A(A)(2)(c) (opens in a new tab)

If you get back before the tow leaves

If you return and want your running car before it leaves the property, the driver must give it back, but may charge a drop fee of up to $99.75 for vehicles under 10,000 lb. No other tow charges may be added with it. OCC Order 741981 Sec. 7; OCC Q&A 39-40 (opens in a new tab)

What they can charge

The Corporation Commission sets maximum rates for private-property (nonconsensual) tows and storage across the state, and a tow company may charge less but not more. Rates took effect June 1, 2024. 47 O.S. 966; 954A(C); OCC Order 741981 (opens in a new tab)
Companies must itemize every charge on the invoice and show start and stop times for hourly charges. A company that bills hourly instead of by distance may charge a minimum of 1.5 hours. OCC Order 741981 Sec. 10; rate chart (opens in a new tab)
Outdoor storage for a car is capped at $23.94 per 24 hours or part of a day, but a car held under 24 hours can be charged only one day. OCC rate chart; 47 O.S. 953.2 (opens in a new tab)
An after-hours release fee of up to $19.95 per quarter hour is allowed only for pickups from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m. on weekdays and anytime on weekends and holidays. OCC rate chart; 47 O.S. 953.2(F) (opens in a new tab)
State law says the Commission's rates apply in cities and unincorporated areas alike. I found no authority for a city to set a different private-property tow cap. 47 O.S. 953.1(A); 953.2(A); 966 (opens in a new tab)
For private-property tows the company may add up to $33.25 for the owner and lienholder lookup and up to $50 for notice processing under the lien law, plus actual certified postage. OCC rate chart; OCC Q&A 43-44; 42 O.S. 91A (opens in a new tab)

Getting your car back

To get the car you need proof of ownership (title or registration), photo ID, and proof of insurance or a non-use affidavit. Someone else needs a notarized letter from you. OAC 595:25-5-3(11) (opens in a new tab)
You can get your personal property out of the car on request, and the company may not hold it for payment. No fee applies for this during normal business hours, but after-hours fees can apply. 47 O.S. 955(E); OAC 595:25-5-3(12); OCC Q&A 58-60 (opens in a new tab)
During normal business hours the company must let you look at the car to identify it before release. Getting the title or registration papers from the car is allowed. OAC 595:25-5-3(12),(18) (opens in a new tab)
The Commission's FAQ says wrecker operators are not required to accept anything but cash. Ask what forms of payment are taken before you go. OCC Q&A 62 (opens in a new tab)
Photograph the car and note any damage before you pay or drive away, and keep the signed inventory copy of the tow form that lists what was inside. 47 O.S. 954A(E),(F) (opens in a new tab)

Storage and sale

Towed cars must be held at a state-inspected, fenced storage lot. The company's primary lot must be within 2 miles of its business address and in Oklahoma, which is not a limit on distance from where you were towed. OAC 595:25-5-1(a)-(c) (opens in a new tab)
A tow company with a lien can start sale proceedings 20 days after the lien arises. Notice of sale must be posted and mailed by certified mail at least 10 days before the sale. 42 O.S. 91A(A)(4),(6) (opens in a new tab)

Disputes and getting money back

If you were overcharged, file a complaint with the Corporation Commission with a copy of the invoice. The Commission can mediate and rule on rate complaints and fine the company. 47 O.S. 966(C),(F) (opens in a new tab)
For a tow that was not legal (not a rate problem), contact the Department of Public Safety Wrecker Services Division at (405) 425-2312. Disputes about the lien or sale can also be taken to district court. OCC page; 42 O.S. 91A (opens in a new tab)
If you paid by credit card and the charge was improper, you can dispute it with your card issuer under the Fair Credit Billing Act. 15 U.S.C. 1666 (opens in a new tab)

Where to complain

Oklahoma Corporation Commission, Nonconsensual Tow Rate Complaint. Complain about being charged more than the maximum rates. Attach the tow invoice. Phone 405-522-0131. File a complaint (opens in a new tab)
Department of Public Safety, Wrecker Services Division. For non-rate problems such as an improper or illegal tow, licensing or personal property. Phone (405) 425-2312.

Oklahoma small claims court handles money claims and replevin of personal property up to $10,000, excluding attorney fees and costs. The plaintiff gives up a jury trial.

Check your tow

Sources

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