Towed Car HelpYour rights after a tow in Rhode Island
Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island
$125.00
Ceiling to tow a standard car from private property under Rhode Island (statewide, Division of Public Utilities and Carriers) rates; your city may set its own
$35.00
Rhode Island (statewide, Division of Public Utilities and Carriers) ceiling 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.
| Charge | Maximum |
|---|---|
| Release at scene after hook-up (private-property tow) | $60.00 |
| Motorcycle surcharge | $25.00 |
| Medium-duty (8,001-15,000 lb) private-property tow | $145.00 |
| Storage per day, vehicles over 20 ft | $45.00 |
A private-property tow of a normal car is a flat $125 that includes all mileage and the first 24 hours of storage; storage after that is $35 a day. This is the standard tariff towers may adopt; a tower can instead have its own approved tariff, so ask to see it. See the official Rhode Island (statewide, Division of Public Utilities and Carriers) rates (opens in a new tab).
Pick your city
Before and during the tow
- A tow company may take a car from private property only after the owner or person in control of the property asks in writing. The company must keep that written request on file. R.I. Gen. Laws 39-12.1-12(a), (c) (opens in a new tab)
- The state tariff says the written request must name the specific car (make, model, plate), and it can be made on the spot or by email. 2021 Non-Consensual Tow Tariff (Div. Order 24243), Docket 18 MC 94, A-2(c)(i) (opens in a new tab)
- If you show up after your car is hooked up and agree to move it off the property, the tow company is authorized and required to charge a flat $60 instead of the full tow fee. 2021 Non-Consensual Tow Tariff (Div. Order 24243), Docket 18 MC 94, A-2(b) (opens in a new tab)
- We found no Rhode Island rule in the towing law that requires tow-away signs on private lots. Check the lot for signs and local rules anyway. R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 39-12.1 (no sign rule found) (opens in a new tab)
Where your car can be taken
- The tow company's storage lot must be within 10 miles of the spot where your car was towed. R.I. Gen. Laws 39-12.1-12(a) (opens in a new tab)
- The lot must be open to release cars during the same hours it is open to receive them, and must post those hours outside its office. R.I. Gen. Laws 39-12.1-12(a) (opens in a new tab)
- The tow company must tell the local police within 2 hours of removing the car, giving the vehicle details and where it was towed from. Calling the police non-emergency line is the fastest way to find a private tow. R.I. Gen. Laws 39-12.1-4(a); 39-12.1-2(7), (10) (opens in a new tab)
What it can cost
- Charges must follow the tower's tariff filed with the state. Under the standard 2021 tariff, a private-property tow of a car up to 8,000 lb is a flat $125 covering all mileage, the first hour on site and the first 24 hours of storage. 2021 Non-Consensual Tow Tariff (Div. Order 24243), Docket 18 MC 94, A-2(a); R.I. Gen. Laws 39-12.1-12(b) (opens in a new tab)
- After the first 24 hours, storage under the standard tariff is $35 per 24-hour period for vehicles up to 20 feet long. Storage can only be charged if the car is in a locked, fenced and lit lot or a locked building. 2021 Non-Consensual Tow Tariff (Div. Order 24243), Docket 18 MC 94, C (opens in a new tab)
- The tariff's $30 after-hours release fee does not apply to private-property tows. 2021 Non-Consensual Tow Tariff (Div. Order 24243), Docket 18 MC 94, A-2(c)(ii) (opens in a new tab)
- The tower must accept cash and at least one other payment type such as a card or personal check. A card fee passed on to you cannot exceed 3% of the tariff charges. 2021 Non-Consensual Tow Tariff (Div. Order 24243), Docket 18 MC 94, D-1, D-2(b) (opens in a new tab)
- Rates are set by the state Division, not cities. Individual towers can file their own tariff, so ask for the tariff your tower has on file if the bill differs from the standard figures. R.I. Gen. Laws 39-12-11 to 39-12-13 (opens in a new tab)
Getting your car back
- The tow company must hand over pets and personal items in the car right away on request, even if you have not paid. Its lien covers only the car and its plates. 815-RICR-50-05-1.13.2 (opens in a new tab)
- You must pay the full tariff charges to get the car out. If you later prove in court that it was not trespassing, the property owner who ordered the tow bears the charges. R.I. Gen. Laws 39-12.1-12(b) (opens in a new tab)
- The tower must mail notice to the registered owner by registered mail. State rules say storage fees stop accruing for you after 7 days if you were not notified in time. R.I. Gen. Laws 39-12.1-4(b); 815-RICR-50-05-1.13(A) (opens in a new tab)
Contesting the tow
- The tow notice says you can contest a tow as improper by filing a complaint within 10 days of the notice with the public utilities commission, with security posted as the commission requires. R.I. Gen. Laws 39-12.1-13 (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)
If the car is not claimed
- A tower can start foreclosure after holding the car 30 consecutive days unpaid. The owner then gets a further notice and at least 10 days before a public auction. R.I. Gen. Laws 39-12.1-7, 39-12.1-8(a), 39-12.1-9(a) (opens in a new tab)
- Any money left after the sale goes to the state treasurer for the owner. Any shortfall stays a debt you owe. R.I. Gen. Laws 39-12.1-9(d) (opens in a new tab)
Where to complain
- RI Division of Public Utilities and Carriers (Motor Carriers). The Division supervises and enforces the towing law and approves tower tariffs; the administrator can investigate a written complaint about a motor carrier. File a complaint (opens in a new tab)
Rhode Island small claims handles money-only claims up to $5,000, not counting interest and costs.
Sources
Last checked 2026-10-17. These are the laws and official pages this page is based on.
- https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE39/39-12.1/39-12.1-12.htm (opens in a new tab)
- https://ripuc.ri.gov/utilityinfo/motorcarriers/18-MC-94%20-%202021%20Tow%20Tariff%20-%20Attachment%20A.pdf (opens in a new tab)
- https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE39/39-12.1/INDEX.htm (opens in a new tab)
- https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE39/39-12.1/39-12.1-4.htm (opens in a new tab)
- https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE39/39-12/39-12-12.htm (opens in a new tab)
- https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/rhode-island/815-RICR-50-05-1.13 (opens in a new tab)
- https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE39/39-12.1/39-12.1-13.htm (opens in a new tab)
- https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/disputing-credit-card-charges (opens in a new tab)
- https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE39/39-12.1/39-12.1-8.htm (opens in a new tab)
- https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE39/39-12.1/39-12.1-9.htm (opens in a new tab)
- https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE39/39-12.1/39-12.1-15.htm (opens in a new tab)
- https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE10/10-16/10-16-1.htm (opens in a new tab)