Vehicle Release Laws in Texas — Getting Your Car Back Fast

TDLR publishes maximum rates for non-consent towing in Texas that are updated periodically. As of the most recent update, the base hook fee for a light-duty non-consent tow in most Texas cities is capped, with per-mile rates, storage fees, and equipment charges each having their own limits. A towing company charging above these maximums on a non-consent tow is violating Texas law.

These rate caps do not apply to consent tows — tows you call and request. For consent towing, pricing is negotiated between the company and the customer. This is why it's important to ask for a quote before the tow begins on any consensual call. Reputable companies like NW Towing provide upfront pricing before dispatching, with no surprises on the final invoice.

If you believe a towing company has violated Texas law — by overcharging, failing to provide an invoice, refusing to release your vehicle, or towing without proper authorization — you can file a complaint with TDLR online at tdlr.texas.gov. TDLR investigators have authority to fine companies, suspend licenses, and require reimbursement to consumers in substantiated cases.

For disputes over amounts less than $10,000, Texas small claims court (Justice of the Peace Court) is an accessible and relatively fast venue. Document everything: photographs of any signage at the tow location, your invoice, any communications with the company, and bank records showing payment. Texas courts have consistently ruled in favor of consumers in cases where towing companies violated documented procedural requirements.

Texas regulates towing through a multi-layer framework involving the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), the Texas Transportation Code, and local ordinances in cities like Dallas and Fort Worth. Together, these create a set of rights for vehicle owners that many people don't know they have until they're in the middle of a dispute with a towing company.

The most important consumer protection in Texas towing law is the distinction between consent tows — tows you requested — and non-consent tows, which are authorized by property owners or law enforcement without your direct request. Non-consent tows are the most heavily regulated because they're the category most prone to abuse. Maximum rate schedules, mandatory signage requirements, and specific invoice requirements all apply exclusively to non-consent tows.