Towing Fees and Rights in Houston

You have 14 days to request a tow hearing in Justice of the Peace court.

• Daily storage fees are capped at $22.85 for vehicles 25 feet or shorter.

Locating Your Towed Vehicle

If your car has been removed, you need to identify the towing company quickly to minimize storage costs. In Houston, you can find your vehicle by calling the dedicated tow line at 713-308-8580 (houstontx.gov).

Alternatively, you can use the website Findmytowedcar.com. To use the online tool effectively, ensure you have your vehicle identification number (VIN) or your license plate number ready.

Once you locate the vehicle, you can contact the impound lot to arrange for payment and recovery.

Understanding Standard Towing Rates

Towing costs depend on the type of tow and the distance traveled. For standard tows, the rate is $232.00 for the first 20 miles (houstontx.gov).

If the tow exceeds 20 miles, an additional charge of $4.64 per mile is applied. It is important to note that these figures represent statewide maximums, and a specific city or county may set lower rates (tdlr.texas.gov). Always verify the final invoice against these limits to ensure you are not being overcharged.

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Private Property Towing Fees

Fees for non-consent tows from private property are based on the weight of the vehicle (tdlr.texas.gov). For vehicles up to 10,000 lb, the maximum charge is $272. For vehicles weighing between 10,001 and 24,999 lb, the maximum is $380. For vehicles 25,000 lb and over, the cost is $489 per unit, with a total cap of $978. Additionally, operators may add a notification fee of up to $50 and an impoundment fee of up to $20.

Storage and Drop Fees

Once a vehicle is impounded, daily storage fees accrue. For vehicles 25 feet or shorter, the daily cap is $22.85 (tdlr.texas.gov).

Vehicles longer than 25 feet are capped at $39.99 per day. If you arrive while the vehicle is hooked up but has not yet left the property, you may pay a drop fee. For vehicles up to 10,000 lb, the maximum drop fee is $135. In this scenario, the tow operator is required to accept debit cards, credit cards, or cash.

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Challenging a Tow or Fee

If you believe your vehicle was towed illegally or the fees charged are excessive, you have legal recourse in Houston. You can request a tow hearing in the Justice of the Peace court (tdlr.texas.gov).

This request must be made within 14 days of the tow or the application of a boot. To begin this process, residents are directed to visit jp.hctx.net/tow to access the current tow-hearing request form (houstontx.gov).

Filing Official Complaints

Beyond court hearings, you can report misconduct or regulatory violations to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) (tdlr.texas.gov). Complaints can be submitted online at tdlr.texas.gov/complaints. If you prefer to speak with an agent, you can call the TDLR at (512) 463-6599 or (800) 803-9202. This is the primary agency for handling towing-related grievances at the state level.

Sources

• https://houstontx.gov/police/auto_dealers_detail/towed_vehicles_faq.htm
• https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/towing/consumerinfo.htm

P.S. A few readers have asked which roadside assistance we actually reach for — it's Urgently Roadside Assistance; take a look here if you want the current details.