Questions about towing in Dallas–Fort Worth

How much can a tow company charge for a private-property tow in Dallas–Fort Worth?

Inside the City of Dallas, a company towing an illegally parked or unauthorized vehicle from private property (the City Code calls this "vehicle tow service") may charge at most $165 to tow a vehicle with a manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less, $300 for more than 10,000 up to 24,999 pounds, and $489 per unit for more than 25,000 pounds ($978 at most), whether a tilt-bed or a conventional wrecker is used. It may not add a fee for hooking up the vehicle or for dollies or go-jacks, and it may charge nothing besides the towage fee and the storage, preservation and notification fees the Vehicle Storage Facility Act allows. It must let you pay the tow fee in cash or by a major credit card. The Dallas amount for a car, SUV, van or pickup ($165) is lower than the state maximum for a light-duty private-property tow ($272).

Source: Dallas City Code §§ 48A-5(26), 48A-43 (as amended by Ord. 33232, passed Sept. 17, 2025) · Checked on October 5, 2026

Fort Worth's towing article says it does not set maximum rates for nonconsent private-property tows. Instead, everyone in the tow truck business in Fort Worth must always comply with the State of Texas laws and rules on nonconsent tows, including those on private-property tows, drop fees and procedures, and parking-facility signs, and storage lots must comply with the state rules on fees, signs, notices, reporting and access; a violation of those state rules is also a violation of the City's article. So the state maximums apply to a parking-lot tow in Fort Worth (for example $272 for a light-duty private-property tow, 16 Tex. Admin. Code § 86.455).

Source: Fort Worth City Code §§ 34-176(b), 34-194 · Checked on October 5, 2026

The TDLR rule sets the maximum that may be charged for a private property tow: $272 for light-duty tows (gross weight rating 10,000 lb or less), $380 for medium-duty (more than 10,000 but less than 25,000 lb), and $489 per unit (maximum $978) for heavy-duty (more than 25,000 lb).

Source: 16 Tex. Admin. Code § 86.455(a)-(b) · Checked on October 5, 2026

What can a storage lot charge for storage in Dallas–Fort Worth?

The TDLR rule, applying the 2023 biennial CPI adjustment, sets the maximum daily storage fee at $22.85 for a vehicle 25 feet or less and $39.99 for a longer vehicle, and the maximum impoundment fee at $22.85. If an impoundment fee is charged, the bill must specify the exact services performed and the dates. The fees apply to government-owned storage lots too and control over conflicting city ordinances. No other storage-related fees are allowed besides those in the rule and authorized nonconsent towing fees.

Source: 16 Tex. Admin. Code § 85.722(a), (b), (d), (e), (g); Occ. Code § 2303.1552 · Checked on October 5, 2026

The law defines a storage day as beginning at midnight and ending at the next midnight, and allows a full daily fee for any part of a day, except that no more than one day's storage may be charged if the vehicle remains at the facility for less than 12 hours.

Source: Occ. Code § 2303.155(d) · Checked on September 28, 2026

The law lets a storage facility charge daily storage for no more than five days before the owner notice is mailed or published (Texas-registered vehicles) or before the request for owner information is sent to the other state (out-of-state vehicles), and then for each day after notice until the vehicle is removed and all accrued charges are paid.

Source: Occ. Code § 2303.155(e) · Checked on September 28, 2026

How long do I have to ask for a tow hearing in Dallas–Fort Worth?

The law requires a person entitled to a hearing to deliver a written request to the court before the 14th day after the vehicle was removed and placed in storage or booted, not counting Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays. If the rights notice was not given, the deadline does not apply and the request may be made at any time. The 14-day period does not begin until the towing company or storage facility provides the information needed to fill in the request. Missing the deadline waives the hearing.

Source: Occ. Code § 2308.456(a), (c), (c-1), (d) · Checked on September 28, 2026

A tow hearing request goes to any justice court in the county the vehicle was towed from (for a boot, the county where the parking facility is) (Occ. Code § 2308.453). Dallas County has ten justice courts, two in each of five precincts; the county notes that "Justice of the Peace districts and the Constable precincts are the same" and links a map to find your district. Its justice-court fee schedules list "TOW/BOOT HEARING REQUEST $54.00" (Justice of the Peace 3-1, effective January 1, 2026) and "ILLEGAL TOW $54.00" (Justice of the Peace 1-1). The request must be delivered before the 14th day after the tow or boot, not counting Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays.

Source: Occ. Code §§ 2308.453, 2308.456; Dallas County Justice of the Peace Courts pages and fee schedules · Checked on October 5, 2026

Tarrant County's justice-court pages say a tow or boot hearing "shall be in the Justice Court in the County in which the vehicle was towed/booted", that the written request must be filed before the 14th day after the vehicle was removed or booted (not counting Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays), and that a court date is provided when the case is processed. The filing fee is $54 ("Towing Hearing $54" in the county's 2024 Justice of the Peace filing fee schedule, effective January 1, 2024). The county's forms page has a "Towing-Booted Vehicles Hearing Request" form. Tarrant County has eight justice-of-the-peace precincts.

Source: Occ. Code §§ 2308.453, 2308.456; Tarrant County Justice of the Peace Courts pages and 2024 filing fee schedule · Checked on October 5, 2026

What are the rules for tow-away signs on private property in Dallas–Fort Worth?

A vehicle may be towed from private property in Dallas only if signs meeting the City Code were posted at the time of the tow and for at least 24 hours before. At least one sign must stand at the right or left side of each driveway or curb cut (where entrances are not defined, or wider than 35 feet, no entrance may be more than 25 feet from a sign), and at least two inside the property. Each sign must show a red towing symbol, "TOWING ENFORCED", who may park there, "Unauthorized Vehicles Will Be Towed at Owner's or Operator's Expense", the days and hours towing is enforced, and the names, addresses and phone numbers of the tow company and the storage lot, plus a 24-hour phone number to locate the vehicle. It must be at least 24 inches tall and 18 inches wide, rigid weather-resistant metal, permanently mounted, readable day and night, facing people entering, with its bottom edge 5 to 8 feet above the ground. Inside the property there must also be a Spanish version of the sign, and a sign in English and Spanish giving the maximum towage fees and how and to whom to complain. The sign rule does not apply the same way if the property owner gave the notice state law requires (attached to the vehicle and sent by certified mail) or a peace officer directed the tow.

Source: Dallas City Code § 48A-36 · Checked on October 5, 2026

For a sign-based tow or boot, the law requires each sign to be weather-resistant and at least 18 inches wide and 24 inches tall; show the international towing symbol; describe who may park and prohibit all others; bear the words "Unauthorized Vehicles Will Be Towed [or Booted, or Towed or Booted] at Owner's or Operator's Expense"; state the days and hours of towing and booting enforcement; and give a telephone number (with area code) answered 24 hours a day to locate a towed vehicle or arrange boot removal.

Source: Occ. Code § 2308.301(b) · Checked on September 28, 2026

For a sign-based tow or boot, the law requires a sign prohibiting unauthorized vehicles that faces and is conspicuously visible to drivers entering the facility; is on the right or left side of each driveway or curb-cut entrance (including alley entries), or, where entrances are not defined and wider than 35 feet, placed so no entrance is more than 25 feet from a sign; is permanently mounted on a pole, post, permanent wall or permanent barrier on the facility; and has its bottom edge between five and eight feet above ground.

Source: Occ. Code § 2308.301(a) · Checked on September 28, 2026

Where can I file a complaint about a tow in Dallas–Fort Worth?

The City of Dallas Transportation Regulation Division regulates private-property tows (City Code ch. 48A), police-scene wreckers (ch. 15D) and parking-lot booting (ch. 48C). Its FAQ says that if your vehicle was towed from an apartment complex, parking lot or other private property, look for the signs on the property that identify the towing company or ask the property's management, and that 3-1-1 can tell you whether your vehicle was towed and by whom. To complain about a tow company or driver, a wrongful tow or a booting, the City says to call 311 or use its online "report a violation" link; for a wrongful tow it asks you to attach the receipt you got when you reclaimed the vehicle. The FAQ also lists TDLR (tdlr.texas.gov) as a place to complain.

Source: City of Dallas Transportation and Public Works, Transportation Regulation FAQ · Checked on October 5, 2026

The law lets the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation impose administrative penalties on anyone who violates ch. 2308 or ch. 2303 or a TDLR rule or order, whether or not they hold a license, after an opportunity for a hearing; lets TDLR deny, revoke, suspend or refuse to renew licenses or reprimand; and requires TDLR to keep a system to act promptly on complaints and to keep complainants informed. Where the program law sets no maximum, penalties may be up to $5,000 per day per violation. TDLR may also order a refund of nonconsent tow charges above the TDLR or city amounts or for unlisted services.

Source: Occ. Code §§ 2308.501, 2308.503, 2303.304, 51.252, 51.302(a), 51.353(a), 2308.2065(c) · Checked on September 28, 2026

The TDLR rule requires each vehicle storage facility to notify vehicle owners of TDLR's website, email address, mailing address and telephone number for complaints, on a sign prominently displayed at the place of payment (letters at least one inch high on a contrasting background) and on the front page of any bill for service.

Source: 16 Tex. Admin. Code § 85.707 · Checked on October 5, 2026

What forms of payment must the tow company or storage lot accept in Dallas–Fort Worth?

The law requires a private or governmental vehicle storage facility to accept cash, debit card and credit card for any delivery or storage charge, to conspicuously post a sign stating that it must accept those forms of payment, and bars it from refusing to release a vehicle because it cannot accept a debit or credit card, unless a power outage or machine malfunction, through no fault of the operator, prevents it.

Source: Occ. Code § 2303.159 · Checked on September 28, 2026

The TDLR rule requires every storage facility, including government-run lots, to accept cash, debit cards and credit cards. A facility that violates this may not charge storage beyond the date payment by credit card is tendered, in addition to administrative penalties.

Source: 16 Tex. Admin. Code § 85.711 · Checked on October 5, 2026

Can I get my belongings out of the towed car in Dallas–Fort Worth?

The law requires a private or governmental vehicle storage facility to let a person claiming to own a stored vehicle access the glove compartment, console or other interior storage area if documents needed to establish the person's identity or ownership are there.

Source: Occ. Code § 2303.158 · Checked on September 28, 2026

The TDLR rule entitles a person who shows ownership or right to possession of a stored vehicle, or an authorized representative, to inspect a copy of the tow ticket without paying anything first; to access and remove personal belongings from the vehicle (unless a law enforcement officer indicates otherwise), signing a receipt; to access the vehicle during business hours for insurance or repair estimates; and, on request, to see the towing company's current nonconsent towing fee schedule.

Source: 16 Tex. Admin. Code § 85.708(a)-(b) · Checked on October 5, 2026

What happens if I get back to my car before it is towed away in Dallas–Fort Worth?

In Dallas a tow company or driver must release a vehicle without charge to the owner or operator (or to the property owner) if release is requested before the vehicle is removed from the private property where it was parked. State rules allow a drop charge of up to $135 for a fully hooked-up light-duty vehicle (16 Tex. Admin. Code § 86.455(c)); the Dallas City Code says a release requested before removal from the property is without charge.

Source: Dallas City Code § 48A-38 · Checked on October 5, 2026

The TDLR rule caps the "drop charge" (the most that may be charged to release a hooked-up vehicle before it leaves the property) at $135 for light-duty, $190 for medium-duty and $244 for heavy-duty vehicles. If the owner, authorized operator or agent is present before removal, the towing operator must advise that he or she may offer payment of the drop charge, and the tow company must accept cash, credit cards and debit cards for the drop charge.

Source: 16 Tex. Admin. Code § 86.455(a)(4), (c)-(e) · Checked on October 5, 2026

How do I find out where my car was towed in Dallas–Fort Worth?

The City of Dallas Transportation Regulation Division regulates private-property tows (City Code ch. 48A), police-scene wreckers (ch. 15D) and parking-lot booting (ch. 48C). Its FAQ says that if your vehicle was towed from an apartment complex, parking lot or other private property, look for the signs on the property that identify the towing company or ask the property's management, and that 3-1-1 can tell you whether your vehicle was towed and by whom. To complain about a tow company or driver, a wrongful tow or a booting, the City says to call 311 or use its online "report a violation" link; for a wrongful tow it asks you to attach the receipt you got when you reclaimed the vehicle. The FAQ also lists TDLR (tdlr.texas.gov) as a place to complain.

Source: City of Dallas Transportation and Public Works, Transportation Regulation FAQ · Checked on October 5, 2026

The Fort Worth Police Department's Auto Pound page says AutoReturn manages dispatch, towing and impound for the City's rotational tow program. To locate a towed vehicle it points to AutoReturn's Fort Worth search (www.autoreturn.com/fort-worth-tx/find-vehicle/) or customer service at 817-349-4022. It says unclaimed vehicles are currently sold online at www.lonestarauctioneers.com, not at live on-site auctions.

Source: Fort Worth Police Department, Auto Pound page · Checked on October 5, 2026

The law requires that, where a parking facility posts tow-away signs, the owner of a vehicle towed from the facility must be able to locate the vehicle by calling the telephone number on the sign.

Source: Occ. Code § 2308.303 · Checked on September 28, 2026

What rules apply when a car is booted in Dallas–Fort Worth?

Inside Dallas a booting company may charge at most $100 to immobilize an unauthorized vehicle. It may also collect an outstanding parking fee for the lot owner, "not including any fine or penalty", and nothing else, including no fee to process payment by electronic check, debit card or credit card; it must let you pay by cash, electronic check, debit card or major credit card. When the boot comes off you must get a receipt (the company's name, the date and time the boot was removed, your name, the amounts paid, and your right to a hearing) and a notice of your hearing rights. If the lot owner has the boot removed so the vehicle can be towed, no boot fee may be charged; only the tow fee allowed by City Code § 48A-43.

Source: Dallas City Code § 48C-44 · Checked on October 5, 2026

The law requires the booting company to remove a boot no later than one hour after the owner or operator contacts the company to request removal, and requires it to waive the boot removal fee (not associated parking fees) if it fails to do so.

Source: Occ. Code § 2308.258(a)-(b) · Checked on September 28, 2026

The law requires a boot operator to affix a conspicuous notice to the front windshield or driver's side window stating: that the vehicle was booted and damage may occur if moved; the date and time installed; the booting company's name, address and phone; a 24-hour phone number to arrange removal; the boot removal fee and any associated parking fees; notice of the right to a hearing under Subchapter J; and, as the local authority prescribes, how to file a complaint with it. The notice must include a notice of hearing rights.

Source: Occ. Code §§ 2308.257(b), 2308.454(d) · Checked on September 28, 2026