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After a crash in El Paso: who may tow your car
Since June 1, 2026, a tow truck may not show up at an El Paso crash to tow unless someone with a right to call it did.
General information, not legal advice. The papers you got from the police, the tow company, the storage lot or a state agency control your dates. Agencies change phone numbers and steps, so check the agency's own page too.
Who may call a tow truck
A tow truck may come to a crash or incident scene to do a nonconsent tow only if it was contacted by the police department, the vehicle's owner or driver, or the owner's insurance company. Soliciting towing, repair or storage business for a damaged car on public streets is an offense, and so is entering a scene an officer controls without permission. A violation can bring a fine of up to $500.
- If a tow truck arrived without being called, the City Code treats its presence as evidence of soliciting.
Sources: El Paso City Code § 12.54.070 (Municode); 2026 ordinance (EPPD PDF)
What a crash tow can cost
The City Code limit for a nonconsent tow, which includes crash tows the police order, is $100 for a car including debris clean-up, $350 medium and $450 heavy, with up to $25 for dollies and, for heavy vehicles, $55 an hour after two hours. The City adds a $20 fee at release for a police-ordered tow.
Sources: El Paso City Code §§ 12.54.020, 12.54.060 (Municode)
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