Cars & light trucks
Towing in Texas: the published maximums and your rights
This state publishes a statewide maximum card — the numbers below are the operative maximums.
Rules checked October 2026
Tex. Occ. Code ch. 2308 (towing) & ch. 2303 (storage); TDLR maximum rate schedule
| Charge | Published maximum |
|---|---|
| Maximum tow charge | $272.00 |
| Maximum storage | $22.85/day |
| Maximum drop fee | $135.00 |
Storage
Vehicles over 25 ft: $39.99/day. Tow cap is for vehicles up to 10,000 lbs.
The drop rule
Drop fee (vehicle released before transport) is capped at $135 for vehicles up to 10,000 lbs.
Unlisted fees
Any fee that is not on the state list is banned outright — Tex. Occ. Code §2308.2065.
Signage & authorization
Written authorization and posted signage are required before a private-property tow (§§2308.301–305).
Release hours
A storage facility that accepts vehicles around the clock must release around the clock.
Penalties & remedies
TDLR may order repayment of every excess dollar. A knowing overcharge carries a $1,000 penalty plus three times the amount wrongfully charged, and the owner may demand a justice-court tow hearing.
Kickbacks
Paying a property owner or agent for the privilege of towing is banned in this state (U.S. PIRG state survey, 2022). A kickback arrangement behind your tow is a claim of its own.
The protection scorecard
U.S. PIRG rated this state's towing protections across the 15 issues it surveys (2021 report, 2022 update): 11 of 15 protections rated good.
Who takes the complaint
Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR).