Texas caps what a nonconsent tow can cost
For private property tows, TDLR sets statewide maximum fees by vehicle weight. Cities and counties can set lower local caps, but no one can lawfully charge more than the ceiling without itemized, authorized extras.
| Charge | Statewide Maximum |
|---|---|
| Private property tow — light duty (≤ 10,000 lbs) | $272 |
| Private property tow — medium duty | $380 |
| Private property tow — heavy duty (per unit) | $489 |
| Daily storage — vehicle 25 ft or shorter | $22.85/day |
| Daily storage — vehicle over 25 ft | $39.99/day |
Storage facilities may also assess a one-time impoundment fee and a notification fee under TDLR rules — but a notification fee is prohibited if the vehicle is picked up within 24 hours of arrival, before notice is sent. Fee caps are adjusted periodically, so verify current figures at tdlr.texas.gov before relying on a number. Tex. Occ. Code Ch. 2303; 16 TAC Ch. 85–86
How to read your receipt
Your release paperwork must itemize every charge. Line it up against the table above: the tow fee against the weight-class cap, storage per day against the daily cap (count the days — a car held overnight is one day, not two), and question every fee you can't match to a rule. Watch for add-ons like "credit card processing," "gate fees," "after-hours release," or "labor" — some are permitted in specific situations, many are not, and facilities count on you not asking.
Where to challenge an overcharge
Two venues, and you can use both. The Justice Court tow hearing (14-day deadline, excluding weekends and holidays) decides both probable cause and whether the charges exceeded what's authorized. § 2308.452, .458 A TDLR complaint (free, no deadline pressure, tdlr.texas.gov/complaints) puts the fee question in front of the agency that licenses the tow company and storage facility — TDLR can order refunds and discipline repeat offenders.
Keep the paper
Pay however you must to get your car back — paying does not waive your right to challenge the charges. But keep the itemized receipt, note how you paid, and photograph anything the facility posts about its rates. The receipt is the single most important exhibit in a fee case, and the statute requires the facility to give you one.