Towed? Start here

En español

Do You Have to Pay a Tow Truck Up Front to Get Your Car Back?

Usually, yes. In each of the five states we cover, the release rules tie getting the car back to paying the tow and storage charges (in Washington, to offering payment that covers them). There are exceptions and protections, all in the rules below:

General information, not legal advice. The rules below are quoted from the official sources each city tool uses; which ones apply depends on the facts of each tow. Amounts and rules current as of October 12, 2026.

Do you have to pay before getting your car back in Texas?

Texas law

The TDLR rule requires a storage facility to let the owner or authorized representative take the vehicle during the hours on its posted sign, on payment of all fees due and valid photo ID, plus any one of: a notarized power of attorney; a court order; a certificate of title; a tax collector's receipt and registration renewal card with conforming ID; name and address matching Texas DMV records; a current lease or rental agreement; law enforcement ID; the TDLR-approved form (which the VSF must make available); or proof of insurance.

Source: 16 Tex. Admin. Code § 85.710(a)(3) · Checked on October 5, 2026

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 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

The law requires the towing company or vehicle storage facility that receives payment of removal or storage costs before a hearing to give the owner or operator, at the time of payment, written notice of the person's rights under ch. 2308. A storage facility that mails the ch. 2303 notice must include the rights notice with it. A booting company must give the rights notice when paid, and the boot notice on the vehicle must include it.

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

Texas law: after paying

The law provides that if the court finds a person or law enforcement agency authorized the removal and storage with probable cause, the requester pays the removal and storage costs. If the court does not find probable cause, the towing company, storage facility, parking facility owner or law enforcement agency that authorized the removal must pay the costs or reimburse the owner or operator. Regardless of probable cause, if the towing charge collected exceeded fees regulated by a political subdivision or authorized by ch. 2308 or ch. 2303, the towing company must reimburse the overcharge. Parallel rules apply to booting.

Source: Occ. Code § 2308.451 · 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

City of Houston

A person who claims ownership or the right to possess a vehicle at a nonconsent storage lot in Houston may inspect the wrecker slip for the vehicle and "shall not be required to pay any fees or charges prior to inspecting the wrecker slip."

Source: Houston Code § 8-176 · Checked on October 5, 2026

A storage lot in Houston may not ask or require you to sign a statement releasing the lot or its staff from liability, or waiving any rights you may have against them, before it releases your vehicle. It may do so only if the vehicle is released with no towing, preservation or storage charges and no tow hearing has been held. It may ask you to sign a receipt saying you received the vehicle after it is delivered to you.

Source: Houston Code § 8-177 · Checked on October 5, 2026

Do you have to pay before getting your car back in California?

California law

The law requires a facility that charges for towing or storage to give the vehicle owner or agent an itemized invoice of actual charges before receiving payment for any towing, recovery, or storage-related fees.

Source: Veh. Code § 22651.07(b) · Checked on October 5, 2026

The law requires the towing company, when the owner or agent claims the vehicle and before payment of any towing or storage charge, to provide a photocopy of the written authorization (with authorizer details redacted if towed from residential property).

Source: Veh. Code § 22658(l)(1)(C)(i)-(ii) · Checked on October 5, 2026

The law gives the vehicle owner or agent the right, before paying any towing or storage fees, to receive personal property from the vehicle at no charge during normal business hours (Mon-Fri 8 a.m.-5 p.m., except state holidays).

Source: Veh. Code § 22651.07(c)(1) · Checked on October 5, 2026

The law gives the owner or agent the right to pay by cash, insurer's check, or a valid bank credit card; credit charges for towing and storage must comply with Civil Code § 1748.1 (no credit card surcharge).

Source: Veh. Code § 22651.07(c)(5) · Checked on October 5, 2026

California law: release and storage

The law provides that if, within the first 24 hours of storage, a person entitled to the vehicle (or the owner's insurance representative) requests release, tenders the appropriate fees, and presents documentation, and the storage facility fails to release it or is not open during normal business hours, then only one day's storage may be charged until after the first business day (a day the lienholder is open to the public at least 8 hours). After 24 hours, charges may be by full calendar day.

Source: Veh. Code § 22658(i)(3) · Checked on October 5, 2026

The law gives the vehicle owner or agent the right to retrieve the vehicle during the first 72 hours of storage without paying a lien fee.

Source: Veh. Code § 22651.07(c)(2) · Checked on October 5, 2026

The law requires the agency or person directing a public-agency storage to give the registered and legal owners (or agents) the opportunity for a poststorage hearing on the validity of the storage, held within 48 hours of the request (excluding weekends and holidays), by a hearing officer who is not the person who directed the storage. If the hearing finds reasonable grounds for storage were not established, the agency pays the towing and storage costs.

Source: Veh. Code § 22852(a), (c), (e) · Checked on October 5, 2026

City of Los Angeles

The law requires the towing business, on request of the registered owner, legal owner, either one's insurer, or their authorized agent, to provide an itemized statement of services performed, labor and special equipment used and the charges for each, and it may not demand payment as a condition of providing that statement.

Source: L.A. Mun. Code § 103.204(f) · Checked on September 27, 2026

Do you have to pay before getting your car back in Washington?

Washington law

The vehicle must be released to a person entitled to redeem it who presents "commercially reasonable tender" enough to cover the towing and storage charges. That includes, without limitation, cash, major bank credit cards, and personal checks drawn on Washington branches of financial institutions with two pieces of valid identification (one may have to have a photo); the company may refuse a check it cannot verify.

Source: RCW 46.55.120(1)(f) · Checked on October 6, 2026

The tow company must give each person who seeks to redeem an impounded vehicle a written notice of the right of redemption and the opportunity for a hearing, together with a form for requesting a hearing, the name of the person or agency that authorized the impound, and a copy of the towing and storage invoice. It must keep a record, signed by the person redeeming, that the notice was given. The same notice must be given to anyone qualified to redeem who attempts to redeem a vehicle, and it is also mailed to the registered and legal owners with the 24-hour impound notice.

Source: RCW 46.55.120(2)(a); WAC 308-61-135(7) · Checked on October 6, 2026

When the tow company's office is closed it must post a phone number there for releasing vehicles and personal property, and it must have staff reachable 24 hours a day who can release an impounded vehicle within 60 minutes. Personal property must be released without charge between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays, except holidays.

Source: WAC 308-61-125(2), (3) · Checked on October 6, 2026

At the hearing the court decides whether the impoundment was proper, whether the towing and storage fees charged complied with the posted rates, and who is responsible for paying them; it may not adjust fees that comply with the posted or contracted rates. If the impound was proper, the fees and court costs are assessed against the person who asked for the hearing - unless the tow company did not have a signed and valid impound authorization from the private property owner or an authorized agent. If the impound violated chapter 46.55 RCW, the registered and legal owners bear no impoundment, towing or storage fees; whoever authorized the impound becomes liable for them; and the court enters judgment for the owners against whoever authorized the impound for the hearing filing fee and reasonable damages for loss of use of the vehicle while it was impounded. If that judgment is not paid within 15 days of written notice of its entry, the court awards reasonable attorneys' fees and costs in an action to enforce it.

Source: RCW 46.55.120(3)(b)-(e) · Checked on October 6, 2026

City of Seattle

Inside Seattle, a tow company, driver or agent may not make a vehicle owner or operator sign or state anything promising not to dispute the tow or its fees, or releasing the company from responsibility for the vehicle's condition or contents; may not fail to release a vehicle under RCW 46.55.120 to a person entitled to redeem it; may not block or interfere with the removal of a vehicle by a person properly claiming it; and may not go to an accident scene to solicit towing unless called by the owner, the property's occupant or a police officer. Each is a class 1 civil infraction.

Source: SMC 6.214.260(B)(1), (2), (4), (8), (D) · Checked on October 6, 2026

Do you have to pay before getting your car back in Colorado?

Colorado law

The towing carrier must immediately release a nonconsensually towed vehicle if the owner pays 15 percent of the fees owed, not more than $60, and the person is not a lienholder or insurance company. To take the vehicle without paying the total, the person signs the PUC form "Towed Vehicle Release Notice: Retrieval with Payment Owed", affirming they owe the carrier fees that comply with the law; signing does not stop a PUC complaint or other remedies, and the carrier may use the form to collect the debt. The carrier may not require any other approval process. Under the PUC rule this applies to a residential tow, and the remaining balance is due no sooner than 90 days after release.

Source: C.R.S. § 40-10.1-405(5)(c)-(e), (6)(a); 4 CCR 723-6, Rule 6512(l) · Checked on October 6, 2026

A towing carrier must accept cash and major credit cards. The PUC rule says a major credit card includes MasterCard and Visa, and that the carrier must immediately accept payment of the charges when an authorized or interested person offers it. On request, the carrier must tell you which forms of payment it accepts.

Source: C.R.S. § 40-10.1-405(1)(b), (4)(d); 4 CCR 723-6, Rule 6512(a) · Checked on October 6, 2026

Whether at the tow scene or at the storage lot, a towing carrier may not refuse to hand over prescription medicines, medical equipment and devices, child car seats, government ID, a cell phone, or credit cards and cash for paying the amount due. It must hand them over immediately, without requiring payment and without charge, on demand during business hours, and within one hour's notice outside business hours during the first 24 hours after the tow began.

Source: 4 CCR 723-6, Rule 6512(g)-(j) · Checked on October 6, 2026

If a towing carrier fails to comply with article 10.1 of title 40, the abandoned-vehicle and lien laws it names, or any rule adopted under them, it may not charge or keep any fees or charges for the services performed for the vehicle, and must return any fees it collected to the authorized or interested person. In any action to collect towing fees, it is an affirmative defense that the vehicle was towed nonconsensually and the carrier did not comply with § 40-10.1-405. The PUC rule says a vehicle held in storage after a tow or storage in violation of statute or rule must be released without charge.

Source: C.R.S. § 40-10.1-406(1)(a)-(b); 4 CCR 723-6, Rule 6511(f) · Checked on October 6, 2026

City and County of Denver

A vehicle the City removes and impounds is released only after the impound and storage charges are paid. The impound charge is $120 for a vehicle of up to 6,000 lbs. gross vehicle weight and $170 above that. If it is not claimed within 24 hours, storage starts at $20 a day ($30 over 6,000 lbs.) after 24 hours following its receipt at the impound lot, for every day or part of a day.

Source: Denver Revised Municipal Code § 54-813(a) · Checked on October 6, 2026

After a City impound, the manager of safety must send the owner of record and any lienholder, by certified mail, a notice that the vehicle was impounded, where it is and where it was towed from; that unless claimed within 30 calendar days of the postmarked notice it may be disposed of; that the owner may request a hearing on the legality of the impoundment, with the agency's name and phone number; a description of the vehicle; and an itemized statement of the amount due. The owner of record must request the hearing in writing within 10 days of the postmark (or of personal service). If the hearing finds the vehicle was illegally impounded, all charges and storage fees are forgiven.

Source: Denver Revised Municipal Code § 54-814(c) · Checked on October 6, 2026

Do you have to pay before getting your car back in Illinois?

Illinois law

When a properly identified person tenders payment at the ICC rates in an accepted form, a licensed relocator must release the vehicle immediately if it is at its primary lot, or from a secondary lot within 2 hours (before 5 p.m. on a weekday) or by 10 a.m. the next day otherwise.

Source: 92 Ill. Adm. Code 1710.120(a) · Checked on October 6, 2026

Relocators must accept U.S. currency, commonly recognized travelers checks, money orders, cashier's checks, certified checks, and commonly accepted credit and debit cards. The lien for relocation charges must be payable by any major credit card as well as cash, and no sign may show a payment restriction contrary to this rule.

Source: 92 Ill. Adm. Code 1710.122(a), 1710.51(b)(3); 625 ILCS 5/18a-501(a) · Checked on October 6, 2026

A relocator may not demand, collect or receive anything of value from the vehicle owner if the relocation was not performed in compliance with the Relocation Towing Law and the ICC rules. A relocator operating without a valid ICC license, or in violation of the law or the rules, must immediately release the vehicle to a properly identified person on demand, without demanding payment or imposing other conditions.

Source: 92 Ill. Adm. Code 1710.47(a)(2)(C), 1710.120(b) · Checked on October 6, 2026

A relocator must give local police a phone number that answers whenever it tows, list that number in its ads, and have an employee on its premises at all times to arrange immediate release. If, after a reasonable effort, the owner cannot reach the relocator by phone for one hour from the first try during hours it must answer, all towing and storage fees are waived. Three calls by police on the owner's behalf within an hour, at least two of them 45 minutes apart, are enough proof.

Source: 625 ILCS 5/18a-300(15) · Checked on October 6, 2026

City of Chicago

The owner or person entitled to possession of a vehicle the City impounded can get it released immediately by paying the tow and storage fees plus all amounts due for final determinations of parking, compliance and camera tickets. Paying does not give up the hearing: the person may still request a hearing under § 2-14-135. The City's page says you need valid photo ID and proof of ownership (title, current registration, or a bill of sale not more than 30 days old; a lessee shows the lease; a representative brings the owner's original notarized letter). The City's Inspector General reported in 2026 that the pounds require anyone who is not listed as an owner on the title or registration to pay in cash, and that there is no ATM at the Central, Doty or Sacramento pounds. The City's own pages differ on money orders: the towing questions page says checks and money orders are not accepted, while the Department of Finance page accepts a money order issued by the U.S. Postal Service. Call ahead.

Source: Chicago Mun. Code § 9-92-080(a); City of Chicago, Common Towing Questions · Checked on October 6, 2026

Each relocator must post the Chicago Towing Bill of Rights (at least 11 x 17 inches) where people retrieve vehicles and give a paper copy to everyone retrieving a vehicle. Its terms include: written consent of the property owner; signs posted at least 24 hours before; rates published; no relocation if the owner arrives with the key and drives away; police notified within 30 minutes; cash, travelers checks, money orders, cashier's and certified checks, and credit and debit cards accepted; access to the vehicle to get personal belongings even if the owner can't pay right away; the pre-tow photo and video on request; and ICC complaints at (847) 294-4326 or icc.illinois.gov.

Source: Chicago Mun. Code § 9-84-036 · Checked on October 6, 2026

The owner or person entitled to a vehicle the City impounded under § 9-92-030 may request a hearing at the Department of Administrative Hearings, in person and in writing, within 30 days after the vehicle is seized and impounded. If the vehicle is still held, the hearing is within 48 hours (not counting weekends and holidays); if it was released, within 30 days of the request. The hearing decides whether the vehicle was subject to towing and whether the fees are valid; if it was not subject to towing, the vehicle is returned and the towing and storage fees already paid are refunded.

Source: Chicago Mun. Code § 2-14-135 · Checked on October 6, 2026

Do you have to pay before getting your car back in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin law

A towing service may not collect any charges for the removal or storage of a vehicle towed from private property unless it made a good faith effort to notify the police before the tow.

Source: Wis. Stat. § 349.13(3m)(dr)2.; Wis. Admin. Code § Trans 319.03(1) Note · Checked on October 12, 2026

Whoever holds a vehicle towed at the request of police, a parking enforcer, or a property owner or agent must release the personal property in it to the owner during regular office hours on proper identification, with no charge. If the owner takes the personal property out, the vehicle is deemed abandoned unless the owner signs a written agreement to pay the full towing and storage charges, and the owner must be told this before the property is released.

Source: Wis. Stat. § 349.13(5)(b)2.-4. · Checked on October 12, 2026

After a tow requested by the property owner or agent, the charges are paid to the towing service, which may keep the vehicle until they are paid. If they are not paid in full within 30 days of the removal and there is no written installment agreement with the towing service, the vehicle is deemed abandoned and may be disposed of like other abandoned vehicles.

Source: Wis. Stat. § 349.13(3m)(d)3. · Checked on October 12, 2026

City of Madison

The City's towed-vehicle page says a car towed from a tow-away zone or an illegal parking spot is located by calling Schmidt's Towing at 608-257-0505. To claim it, the registered owner (or someone with an original notarized letter from the registered owner authorizing the Madison Police Department to release it) brings a driver's license or photo ID, calls 608-266-4170 first to confirm the amount owed and the payment methods, and arrives before 3:30 p.m.

Source: City of Madison Police Department, Towed Vehicles · Checked on October 12, 2026

No one may require payment of money, goods, services, a waiver of legal rights, a credit card number, or a business address or phone number as a condition of removing a boot, except the removal fee or the deferral agreement. Before removal, the person either pays the fee or signs a deferral agreement to pay it or contest it under § 23.565 within 14 days. If the car was not parked in violation, no removal fee is owed and the enforcer is liable for an amount equal to the fee.

Source: Madison Gen. Ord. § 23.56(6)(b)5., (7), (9), (12) · Checked on October 12, 2026

Related questions

This website and the documents it makes are not a substitute for the advice of an attorney.