No single national rule sets towing fees. A tow from an apartment lot in Texas, a police-ordered tow in Florida, and a repossession in California can all follow different laws. Two drivers with similar cars can end up with very different bills.
If your car vanished from a lot, find out who authorized the tow and which fee schedule applies. State statutes, city or county ordinances, or a state agency fee schedule usually set the cap. There is no federal cap. The Federal Trade Commission can pursue deceptive practices, but it doesn't publish a national towing rate.
Here's what to check, what rights you have, and how to dispute a charge that looks wrong.
What Controls the Bill
Start with the type of tow. Non-consensual private property tows, police-ordered tows, repossessions, and consensual tows follow different rules. A state might cap the hookup fee and leave storage to a local schedule. It might also set a maximum that a city can lower.
Turns out, the type of tow often matters more than the state line. Texas is a useful example. The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation says vehicle storage facilities may charge up to statewide maximum fees unless a municipality or county sets a lower fee. That state number is a ceiling, not a promise.
Florida's private property towing statute, Florida Statutes 715.07, controls tows from private property. It includes sign and telephone-number requirements for closed sites. California splits its rules between Vehicle Code 22658 for private property removal and Vehicle Code 22651.07 for fee notices and access.
How to Find Your State and Local Cap
Find the agency that regulates vehicle storage or towing in your state. In Texas, that's TDLR. In California, the rules sit in the Vehicle Code. In Florida, start with the statute and then check county or city ordinances.
Check the city or county fee schedule. A lower local cap can override a higher state maximum. Large cities often set their own towing and storage rates.
| State | Official rule to check | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | TDLR vehicle storage fees | Statewide maximum fees, local lower caps, motor vehicle record fee rules |
| Florida | Fla. Stat. 715.07 | Private property tows, signage, storage limits |
| California | Veh. Code 22658 and 22651.07 | Private property signs, fee notice, access |
Private Property, HOA, and Apartment Tows
Private property tows often add rules on top of the fee cap. A property owner or HOA usually can't tow just because a car looks out of place. The tow must follow the state's private property tow law and any local ordinance.
California requires a sign at all entrances. The sign must be at least 17 inches by 22 inches, with lettering at least one inch high. It must say public parking is prohibited, vehicles will be removed at the owner's expense, and include a telephone number. If the vehicle has a parking violation notice and 96 hours have passed, removal can happen.
Florida requires certain signs for private property tows and a posted telephone number when the site is closed. If no towing business is within the area limits, the vehicle must be stored within a 20-mile radius in certain counties. HOA and apartment rules don't replace those laws.
Storage, Release, and After-Hours Charges
Storage fees stack up fast. Many states limit daily storage, but the amount varies widely. Check the local schedule, because that's where the real cap often lives.
Thing is, the state number is only half the story. Texas requires vehicle storage facilities to keep the vehicle secure and to include specific information on the bill. If the facility charges a motor vehicle record fee, the bill must show the date the check was run. The maximum MVR fee is $20 under the TDLR schedule.
After-hours fees are sometimes allowed, but the amount depends on the local schedule. Don't assume the premium is legal. Check the current state or city fee schedule.
A bill that lists a hookup fee, daily storage, an after-hours gate charge, an administration fee, and a motor vehicle record fee may still be legal, but only if each item traces back to a state or local schedule and the facility follows the notice and recordkeeping rules tied to that charge.
Your Rights When You Pick Up the Vehicle
You have the right to see the charges before you pay. California requires the Towing and Storage Fees and Access Notice to be posted in the office area and provided on request. Texas requires the bill to identify who authorized the tow.
If a Texas vehicle storage facility is not open 24 hours, you can claim your car within one hour of your request during the hours listed by TDLR. That rule matters when a lot tries to make you wait until the next business day.
Keep your emotions in check at the counter. Ask for the itemized bill, take photos of the posted fee notice, and write down the name of everyone you speak with. Those details help later if you dispute the charge.
How to Dispute an Unfair Towing Bill
Start with paperwork, not phone calls.
- Ask for an itemized bill and the current fee schedule. In Texas, the bill must contain specific details. In California, the fee notice must be available.
- Compare each charge to the state and local cap. Check the city or county schedule, not just the state statute.
- Gather evidence. Photograph signs, save receipts, and note the time you called and the time you were allowed to pick up the car.
- File a complaint with the right regulator. In Texas, start with TDLR. In other states, use the agency named on the tow paperwork or your state consumer protection office.
- If the amount is small, consider small claims court. Bring the itemized bill, fee schedule, photos, and any complaint records.
To be honest, the paperwork often decides these cases. A clean timeline and a copy of the local fee schedule do more than an angry phone call.
Red Flags That Suggest an Overcharge
Watch for signs that the bill may not match the local rules.
- No posted sign or fee notice.
- An after-hours charge that exceeds the local schedule.
- Storage fees for days before you were notified.
- A refusal to give an itemized bill.
- A demand for cash only when local rules require other payment options.
Special Cases: Repossession, Abandoned Vehicles, and Insurance
Repossession is different from a private property tow. It is controlled by the loan contract and state repossession law, not the local towing fee schedule. The lender often pays the tow and storage, then charges the borrower under the agreement.
Abandoned vehicle rules are different too. In Texas, a vehicle storage facility must mail or publish at least two notices and wait at least 30 days after the second notice before taking action. For a car more than 10 years old that can only be junked, crushed, or dismantled, the facility may not need a second notice and can sell it 30 days after the first.
Insurance and roadside assistance plans set their own limits. A policy may set a flat cap or a percentage. That's a contract limit, not a state towing law. Read your policy or membership terms before you assume the full bill is covered.
Common Questions
Is there a national cap on towing fees? No. States, cities, and counties set the rules. Some places use hard caps. Others use a reasonableness standard.
Can a tow company charge after-hours fees? Sometimes. The local schedule will say if a premium is allowed and how much it can be.
What should I do first if I think I was overcharged? Ask for an itemized bill and the fee schedule. Then compare those numbers to the local cap.
Does my insurance cover towing? It depends on your policy or roadside plan. Many plans have a flat limit, so the tow bill may be higher than the covered amount.
This is general consumer information, not legal advice. Pull up the state agency fee page and your city ordinance. Compare the line items before you call the tow company.