Key Towing Laws in Texas
Texas Occupations Code Chapters 2308 and 2303
State law covers towing, booting, and vehicle storage facilities, including fee caps for private-property tows and storage and the right to a tow hearing in justice court.
TDLR Rate Schedule
TDLR sets maximum rates for non-consensual tows: $272 for light-duty vehicles (10,000 lbs or less), $380 for medium-duty, and $489 per unit ($978 maximum) for heavy-duty private-property tows (16 TAC 86.455).
Vehicle Owner Presence Rule
If your car is not yet fully hooked up, you can have it released without paying any fee. If it is fully hooked up but has not left the lot, the most the operator may charge to drop it is $135 for light-duty, $190 for medium-duty, and $244 for heavy-duty vehicles (16 TAC 86.455; TDLR).
Booting Rules (Occ. Code 2308.257)
A parking facility owner may have an unauthorized vehicle booted if compliant signs have been posted for at least the preceding 24 hours. The boot operator must leave a notice on the vehicle with a phone number answered 24 hours a day, the removal fee, your right to a hearing, and how to file a complaint.
Cash, Debit and Credit Cards
A vehicle storage facility must accept cash, debit cards, and credit cards for any charge for delivery or storage of a vehicle (Occ. Code 2303.159), and a tow company must accept all three for a drop charge (16 TAC 86.455).
Notification & Signage Requirements
Police Notification
A storage facility that accepts a car towed under the towing law must report it within 2 hours to the police department of the city it was towed from, or to the county sheriff if there is no city police department (Occ. Code 2308.2565). For a Texas-registered car, it must send written notice by certified mail to the owner and primary lienholder no earlier than 24 hours and no later than 5 days after receiving the car; the deadline is 14 days for a car registered in another state (Occ. Code 2303.151).
Signage Requirements
Each sign must be weather-resistant, at least 18 inches wide and 24 inches tall, and show the international towing symbol, who may park and that all others are prohibited, the words "Unauthorized Vehicles Will Be Towed at Owner's or Operator's Expense" (or the booting version), the days and hours of enforcement, and a phone number answered 24 hours a day. Signs must face drivers entering the lot and stand beside each driveway or curb cut (Occ. Code 2308.301).
Towed from a private lot or apartment complex in Texas? See the private property towing rules.
Your Rights in Texas
- Right to TDLR-capped private-property tow rates ($272 for light-duty vehicles) (16 TAC 86.455)
- Right to have your car released for no more than the TDLR drop fee ($135 light-duty) if you return before it leaves, or for free if it is not fully hooked up (16 TAC 86.455; TDLR)
- Right to pay by cash, debit card, or credit card at the storage facility (Occ. Code 2303.159)
- Right to written notice by certified mail within 5 days for a Texas-registered car (Occ. Code 2303.151)
- Right to access your car at the storage facility to recover personal property without paying a fee
- Right to an itemized tow ticket
- Right to request a tow hearing in justice court before the 14th day after the tow, not counting weekends and legal holidays (the clock starts only once you are given the information needed for the request, and there is no deadline if you were not given the hearing notice), and to file a complaint with TDLR (Occ. Code 2308.456)
- Right to recover $1,000 plus 3 times the fees for an intentional, knowing, or reckless violation (Occ. Code 2308.404)
How to File a Complaint in Texas
Complaint Agency
If you believe you were unfairly towed or overcharged, file a complaint with:
Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR)
Visit WebsiteSteps to File a Complaint:
- Document everything: take photos of signage, your parking location, vehicle condition, and all receipts.
- Note the date, time, tow company name, driver name, and truck number if available.
- To file a formal complaint, contact the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR).
- Consider filing in small claims court if you believe you are owed money for an illegal or improper tow.
Official Sources & Legal References
The fees and rules on this page are drawn from these primary sources - official statutes, administrative codes, and state regulator schedules. We link them so you can verify every figure yourself.
- TDLR Towing Consumer Information
tdlr.texas.gov
- TDLR VSF Fees
tdlr.texas.gov
- Texas Occupations Code Chapter 2308 (Vehicle Towing and Booting)
statutes.capitol.texas.gov
- Texas Occupations Code Chapter 2303 (Vehicle Storage Facilities)
statutes.capitol.texas.gov
Regulated by Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR).
Last reviewed by Daniel Richardson against Texas's official state statutes and regulator schedules.
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