Towing Laws in West Virginia

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Reviewed July 6, 2026 by Daniel Richardson

Know your rights: towing regulations, maximum fees, and consumer protections in West Virginia (WV).

Max Tow Fee

PSC statewide max: $102.00/hr for light-duty (7,000 lbs or less) non-accident tows, such as private-property tows. Operators with their own PSC tariff charge that tariff.

Max Storage Fee

PSC statewide max for passenger cars: $27.00/day outside; $37.00/day inside only if the owner or police asked for it or it was needed to protect the car. Operators with their own PSC tariff may differ.

Signage Required

Police Notification

Required

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Key Towing Laws in West Virginia

PSC Rate Regulation

West Virginia Public Service Commission regulates towing rates for non-consensual tows.

WV Code 17C-17A

West Virginia code governing towing operations and consumer protections.

Mountain Terrain Provisions

Additional charges may be permitted for towing in difficult mountain terrain.

Licensing Requirements

All tow operators must be licensed by the PSC.

Notification & Signage Requirements

Police Notification

Law enforcement notification required for non-consensual tows.

Signage Requirements

No statewide requirement for property owners to post tow-away warning signs before removing unauthorized vehicles; W. Va. Code 17C-14-13 contains no posted-sign prerequisite. (W. Va. Code 17C-14-13)

Your Rights in West Virginia

Right to PSC-regulated maximum rates
Right to have the tow reported to the State Police (and to city police inside a city), so you can locate your car
Right to personal property access
Right to itemized receipt
Right to file PSC complaints

How to File a Complaint in West Virginia

Complaint Agency

If you believe you were unfairly towed or overcharged, file a complaint with:

West Virginia Public Service Commission

Visit Website

Steps 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 West Virginia Public Service Commission.
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.