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Austin towing rights and tow hearings

Texas caps what tow companies can charge and gives you a fast court route: the drop-fee rule, the fee caps, and the 14-day tow hearing deadline.

Short answer

If a tow truck has your car but it is not fully hooked up, you can ask for it back free, with no proof of ownership required. If it is fully hooked up but has not left the lot, you keep the car by paying a drop fee capped at $135 for vehicles up to 10,000 pounds, and the driver must accept cash, credit, or debit. Once the car reaches a storage facility, statewide caps apply: $272 maximum for the tow, $22.85 per day of storage for vehicles 25 feet or shorter, up to $50 for notification, and $20 maximum for impoundment. If the tow or boot was wrongful or the fees were over the cap, you can request a tow hearing at any Travis County Justice of the Peace court within 14 days; the filing fee is $20 and the hearing must happen within 21 days.

Who this is for

Anyone whose car was towed or booted in Austin, or who wants to fight a tow or storage bill.

The steps, in order

  1. Catch it early: a car not fully hooked up comes back free, no ownership proof needed.
  2. Fully hooked but still in the lot: pay the drop fee, capped at $135 for most cars; the driver must take cash or card.
  3. Towed away: call the number on the tow-away sign, then recover the car from the storage facility with proof of ownership and the allowed fees.
  4. Check every line against the caps: $272 tow, $22.85 a day storage, $50 notification, $20 impoundment.
  5. Think it was wrong? Ask any Travis County Justice of the Peace court for a tow hearing within 14 days. Filing costs $20 and the hearing comes within 21 days.
  6. Report the company to TDLR, which licenses tow operators and storage facilities.

Have this ready

  • A photo of the tow-away sign
  • The tow ticket or itemized receipt
  • The storage facility name and address
  • Dates and times of the tow and any calls

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Paying more than the state caps without checking the bill.
  • Missing the 14-day window to request a tow hearing.
  • Trying to remove a boot yourself; it can damage the car and add charges.
  • Accepting a tow ticket without itemized charges; the ticket must list each fee.

Common questions

How much can a tow company charge in Austin?

Statewide caps apply: $272 maximum for a nonconsent tow of a vehicle up to 10,000 pounds, $22.85 per day of storage for vehicles 25 feet or shorter, up to $50 for notification, and at most $20 for impoundment. Drop fees top out at $135 for most cars.

How long do I have to fight a tow?

You must request a tow hearing from a Justice of the Peace court within 14 days of the tow or boot. The filing fee is $20 and the hearing must be held within 21 days of the request.

What if my car was booted instead of towed?

Call the number on the warning sticker and do not try to remove the boot. The same 14-day tow hearing right applies to booting.

Official sources

Checked August 26, 2026. Recheck the official page monthly and when the official page changes.

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ATX Untangled is independent and does not determine eligibility or provide legal advice.