Car towed in Austin? Lookup and fees
Checked Nov 14, 2026 against official sources. We don't have your car: use the official lookup below.
Find your car
AutoReturn vehicle searchCall 888-217-9731
Austin Police point to this search for cars towed from public roads, and also mention it for cars towed from parking lots.1
Other ways to check:
- Austin 311 · 311: Cars towed from a public road. Give your vehicle information and the city will look up where it is. Also the line for reporting a wrecker ordinance violation.1
- Tow company number on the parking lot sign: Cars towed from a private parking lot. Red and white signs at the lot entrance or exit should list the tow company's name and phone number.1
Towed from a private lot (apartment, store)? Private-lot tows go to the storage lot of the tow company named on the red and white signs at the lot entrance or exit. Call that number, or try the AutoReturn search that Austin Police link. Texas storage lots must report each private-lot tow to the Austin Police within two hours, and the city fee schedule caps a private-lot tow of a car under 10,000 lb at 272 dollars.
Deadline to contest: 14 business days from the tow (Texas rules). How to request a hearing
Cars towed from public roads in Austin are tracked through AutoReturn (now Autura), which Austin Police link for vehicle searches, or through 311. Private-lot tows go to the tow company named on the red and white signs at the lot entrance.
Austin impound lots: addresses and hours
Austin does not publish one list of impound lots. Towed cars here go to private storage lots. Use AutoReturn vehicle search to find which one, then call it for hours and payment.
How much it costs to get your car out in Austin
| Fee | Amount | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Non-consent tow other than private property, vehicle under 10,000 lb3Maximum in the city fee schedule for fiscal year 2026-2027, starting October 1, 2026. | Up to $275 | Police-ordered · Cars, SUVs, pickups |
| Administrative fee, managed towing company3Listed as a maximum for non-consent tows other than private property tows. | Up to $25 | Police-ordered |
| Fully prepared for transport fee3Listed as a maximum for both police and private property non-consent tows. | Up to $50 | All tows |
| Private property tow, vehicle under 10,000 lb3Maximum in the city fee schedule for fiscal year 2026-2027. | Up to $272 | Private lot (apartment, store) · Cars, SUVs, pickups |
Storage, vehicle 25 feet or shorter3DetailsThe schedule says storage fees are set by the state and adjusted each year. Vehicles over 25 feet pay 39.99 dollars a day. | $22.85 / day | All tows |
| Impoundment fee, if the vehicle is held in storage3 | $22.85 | All tows |
Trucks and heavy vehicles (2 fees)
Estimate your bill
Got your receipt? Check it for overcharges
Type what the lot charged for each line. We flag anything above a confirmed legal cap.
What to bring
Austin lots do not publish one list. Most ask for a photo ID, proof of ownership (registration or title) and proof of insurance. Texas rules mention: Valid photo ID issued by Texas, another state, the federal government, or a foreign government, One proof of ownership or right to the car: certificate of title, insurance card naming you, registration renewal card with tax collector receipt, a match to state DMV owner records, a notarized power of attorney, a court order, a current lease or rental agreement, or the TDLR VSF 13 (personal) or VSF 12 (commercial) removal form, Payment of the tow and storage charges.
More detail, including when the car is not in your name: what to bring to the impound lot.
Local rules and how to contest
- If you think your car was towed illegally, call 311 and file a police report for a wrecker ordinance violation. A detective will be assigned and will contact you.
- Austin Police say to pay to get your car out, then ask the local Justice of the Peace for a hearing to try to get your money back.
- Under Texas law the written hearing request is due within 14 days of the tow, not counting weekends and legal holidays.
- You can also complain to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation at 1-800-803-9202.
- Breakdowns on IH-35, MoPac and Hwy 183 during weekday rush hours (6am-9am and 4pm-7pm) can get a free tow to the nearest safe place under the city TIMS program.
Texas rules that apply
Texas sets statewide maximums for private-property tows, drop fees, and storage lot charges, and TDLR licenses tow companies and storage lots. You have a right to a tow hearing in justice court, but you must ask for it within 14 business days of the tow. Police-ordered tow rates are set by each city or county, not the state.
- Drop fee release: If you get back before your car is fully hooked up, the tower must let it go for free. If it is fully hooked up but still on the lot, you can pay a drop fee of up to $135 for a car and keep it. The driver must tell you that you can pay the drop fee and must take cash, credit, or debit.
- Your belongings: Once you show you own the car or have the right to it, the lot must let you take your personal belongings out, with no fee. You can also get into the glove box or console for papers that prove who you are or that you own the car.
- Hearing: You can ask a justice of the peace court in the county the car was towed from for a hearing on whether the tow was legal and whether you were overcharged. File a written request before the 14th day after the tow, not counting weekends and legal holidays. The hearing must be held within 21 calendar days after the court gets your request. If the tower or lot never gave you the hearing-rights notice, the deadline does not apply.
Think the tow was wrong?
Questions
How do I find my towed car in Austin?
Use AutoReturn vehicle search (https://www.search.autoreturn.com/) or call 888-217-9731. Austin Police point to this search for cars towed from public roads, and also mention it for cars towed from parking lots..
How much does it cost to get a car out of impound in Austin?
For police-ordered tows the city lists a $275 tow and $22.85 per day of storage. Other fees may apply.
My car was towed from a private lot in Austin. Where is it?
Private-lot tows go to the storage lot of the tow company named on the red and white signs at the lot entrance or exit. Call that number, or try the AutoReturn search that Austin Police link. Texas storage lots must report each private-lot tow to the Austin Police within two hours, and the city fee schedule caps a private-lot tow of a car under 10,000 lb at 272 dollars.
Sources
Last checked Nov 14, 2026. Fees and rules change: confirm with the lot or agency before you go. Spot an error? Tell us.
- Wrecker Enforcement, Austin Police Department. Checked Nov 14, 2026.
- Traffic Incident Management (Towing) Program, Austin Police Department. Checked Nov 14, 2026.
- Ordinance No. 20260812-006, FY 2026-2027 fees, fines and other charges (Exhibit A, Police - Parking/Towing Rates) (Austin Ordinance No. 20260812-006), City of Austin. Checked Nov 14, 2026.
- Texas Occupations Code ch. 2308, Vehicle Towing and Booting (Tex. Occ. Code §§ 2308.2565, 2308.453, 2308.456), Texas Legislature. Checked Nov 14, 2026.
- Census Bureau city and town population estimates, Vintage 2024 (SUB-EST2024), U.S. Census Bureau. Checked Nov 14, 2026.