How to fight a tow

First, get the car back

Storage is charged by the day, so in most cases you should pay, get the car out and dispute afterward. Paying does not give up your right to contest the tow in most states. Write "paid under protest" on the receipt if you can.

Collect evidence the same day

Evidence disappears fast. Signs get fixed and lot footage gets recorded over.

• Photos of every tow-away sign at the entrances, including what it says and whether it names the tow company and phone number.
• Photos of where you parked, any permit or sticker, curb paint and meters.
• The itemized receipt with the company name, license number and each fee.
• Photos of the car at pickup, including any new damage, before you leave the lot.
• Names, times and what was said on any calls.

Check the bill

Compare each line to the limits in your state or city. Our calculator does this line by line: enter what you were charged and it flags anything above a confirmed cap. Fees with no legal basis, like a "gate fee" during business hours, are worth questioning too.

Request a hearing before the deadline

Many states let you contest a tow in court or before a hearing officer, but the window is short, sometimes 10 or 14 days. Look up your state on our state law pages for the deadline and where to file. The tow company or police must usually prove the tow followed the rules.

Write to the tow company and property owner

A short, factual letter that names the rule that was broken, the amount you want refunded and a date to respond by often settles it. Keep a copy. If they refuse, the regulator in your state may take complaints, and small claims court is another route.

Where to complain

Tow companies are licensed by a state agency in some states (for example TDLR in Texas), by the city in others. Police-ordered tows are usually contested through the city or police department. Our state and city pages list the right office where we could confirm it.

Hearing rules by state

• Alabama
• Arizona10 calendar days
• Arkansas30 calendar days
• Florida
• Idaho10 calendar days
• Indiana30 calendar days
• Michigan20 calendar days
• Missouri10 calendar days
• Nevada21 calendar days
• New Hampshire15 calendar days
• New Mexico
• North Carolina
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Rhode Island
• Texas14 business days
• Utah
• Washington10 calendar days
• West Virginia