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Your rights after a tow in Texas

Texas 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 Texas

$272.00

Ceiling to tow a standard car from private property under Texas (statewide, TDLR) rates; your city may set its own

$22.85

Texas (statewide, TDLR) 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 Texas (statewide, TDLR) maximums
Charge	Maximum
Drop fee (released after hook-up, before leaving the property)	$135.00
Notification fee (storage lot)	$50.00
One-time impoundment fee (storage lot, only for listed services)	$22.85

A private-property tow of a normal car can cost no more than $272, and storage no more than $22.85 per day or part of a day. A city may set lower limits. The storage figure is the 2024 adjustment; TDLR's page had not shown a newer one. See the official Texas (statewide, TDLR) rates (opens in a new tab).

Pick your city

Tow-away signs and warnings

A tow-away sign must face drivers entering the lot, be mounted on a permanent pole or wall with its bottom edge 5 to 8 feet off the ground, and stand at each driveway entrance. Wide entrances without defined driveways need a sign so that no spot along the entrance is more than 25 feet from one. Tex. Occ. Code 2308.301(a) (opens in a new tab)
The sign must be at least 18 by 24 inches, show the international towing symbol, say who may park there, state the days and hours of towing, and include the words "Unauthorized Vehicles Will Be Towed at Owner's or Operator's Expense". It must also list a phone number, answered 24 hours a day, for finding a towed car. Tex. Occ. Code 2308.301(b) (opens in a new tab)
A lot owner may tow without a sign only if you were told in person that you would be towed, or a notice was put on your windshield and then mailed by certified mail with a 15-day warning. Otherwise the signs must have been up for the 24 hours before the tow. Tex. Occ. Code 2308.252(a)-(c) (opens in a new tab)
If the lot has a compliant sign, you must be able to find your towed car by calling the phone number on the sign. Tex. Occ. Code 2308.303 (opens in a new tab)

If you get back before the tow leaves

If your car is not yet fully hooked up, the driver must release it free. If it is fully hooked up but still on the lot, you can pay a drop fee of no more than $135 for a car of 10,000 lb or less, and the driver must accept cash, debit and credit cards. TDLR consumer information; 16 TAC 86.455 (opens in a new tab)
You do not have to prove ownership to stop a tow in either case. Once the truck is on the public road, the driver may continue to a storage lot. TDLR Towing at a Glance (opens in a new tab)

Where your car can be taken

A private-property tow must go to a state-licensed vehicle storage facility, unless the tow company agrees to take it somewhere you choose. Texas law sets no maximum distance for the storage lot. Tex. Occ. Code 2308.205(a) (opens in a new tab)
The storage facility must report the car to city police, or the county sheriff outside a city with police, within 2 hours of receiving it. The report includes the plate, VIN, tow location and where the car is stored, so a non-emergency call can find it. Tex. Occ. Code 2308.2565(a); 2303.1511 (opens in a new tab)

Getting your car back

Bring a government photo ID plus one proof that you own or may use the car, such as a matching license, insurance card, title, notarized power of attorney, or lease. A different address on your ID alone is not a reason to refuse release. TDLR consumer information; Tex. Occ. Code 2303.160 (opens in a new tab)
A storage lot that accepts cars 24 hours must let you claim yours at any hour. Other lots must be open 8 a.m. to midnight Monday to Saturday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, except national holidays. TDLR consumer information (opens in a new tab)
Your car must be released within one hour of your request during the required hours, once you show ID and ownership and pay. TDLR consumer information (opens in a new tab)
You can get into the car, including the glove box and console, to find ownership papers and to take personal property, and the lot cannot charge a fee for that access. TDLR consumer information; Tex. Occ. Code 2303.158 (opens in a new tab)
The storage lot must accept cash, debit cards and credit cards for any fee, post a sign saying so, and cannot refuse to release the car because its card reader is not working unless there is a power outage or machine failure. A card surcharge up to the card issuer's fee is allowed. Tex. Occ. Code 2303.159; TDLR Towing at a Glance (opens in a new tab)

What they can charge

The tow ticket must itemize every charge, list only towing-related fees, and match the company's fee schedule on file with the storage lot. You are entitled to a copy of the ticket, and fee schedules must be given to the public on request. TDLR consumer information (opens in a new tab)
The state caps a private-property tow of a car of 10,000 lb or less at $272. A city or county may set a lower cap, never a higher one, and can also add stricter rules. Tex. Occ. Code 2308.202, 2308.208; TDLR Towing at a Glance (opens in a new tab)
Storage may be charged per day or part of a day, with a day running midnight to midnight. A car held under 12 hours can be charged only one day. The cap for a car 25 feet or shorter is $22.85 per day under the 2024 adjustment. Tex. Occ. Code 2303.155(b)(3), (d); 2303.1552 (opens in a new tab)
For a Texas-registered car, the lot may charge for no more than 5 days of storage before it mails the owner the first notice. After the notice goes out, daily storage can continue until you pay and remove the car. Tex. Occ. Code 2303.155(e) (opens in a new tab)
Besides towing and storage, the lot can charge a notification fee of up to $50 (none if you reclaim the car within 24 hours or before notice is sent), an impoundment fee only for services listed on the bill, and any government fee. No other storage-related fees are allowed. Tex. Occ. Code 2303.155(b), (c), (f); TDLR consumer information (opens in a new tab)

Disputing the tow

You can ask any justice court in the county where the car was towed for a tow hearing on whether there was probable cause and whether you were overcharged. The request must reach the court before the 14th day (weekends and holidays excluded) after the car was placed in storage, and the hearing is held within 21 days. Tex. Occ. Code 2308.452, 2308.456(a), 2308.458(a) (opens in a new tab)
The request must include your contact details, the tow location and date, the tow company and storage lot details, any receipts, and photos of the signs or a statement that there were none. The deadline does not start until the company gives you the information needed, and has no deadline if it never gave you written notice of your rights. Tex. Occ. Code 2308.456(b)-(c-1) (opens in a new tab)
If the court finds no probable cause, the party that authorized the tow must pay or reimburse the removal and storage costs. If the court finds you were charged more than allowed, the tow company must refund the overcharge either way. You carry the burden of proof. Tex. Occ. Code 2308.451; 2308.458(b-1) (opens in a new tab)
A tow company or lot owner who breaks the towing law owes you your damages and the fees charged, without having to prove negligence. If the violation was intentional, knowing or reckless, they owe $1,000 plus three times the fees. Tex. Occ. Code 2308.404 (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 sits unclaimed

For a Texas-registered car, the storage lot must mail written notice to the owner and lienholder within 5 days (not sooner than 24 hours) of receiving it. Out-of-state cars get notice within 14 days. The notice must also explain your hearing rights. Tex. Occ. Code 2303.151(a)-(b); 2308.454(b) (opens in a new tab)
If the car is not claimed within 10 days of the first notice, the lot treats it as abandoned and sends a second notice. It may sell the car at public sale if it is still unclaimed 30 days after that second notice. Tex. Occ. Code 2303.154; 2303.157 (opens in a new tab)

Where to complain

Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). Licenses tow companies, operators and storage lots and takes complaints about overcharges and violations. Phone (800) 803-9202 (in state) or (512) 463-6599. File a complaint (opens in a new tab)
Justice court tow hearing. Any justice court in the county where the car was towed can hold a tow hearing on probable cause and overcharges. File within 14 days (weekends and holidays excluded) of the car going into storage.
Your city's towing office or police. Cities may set lower private-property tow fees and add stricter rules; see your city page for who enforces them.

Texas justice courts hear civil money claims up to $20,000, not counting interest. The same court handles tow hearings and can award reimbursement of towing and storage fees.

Check your tow

Sources

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