Towing laws by state
What a tow company may charge and what it must let you do, state by state. Click a state for the statute, fees and deadlines. "Not confirmed" means we have not verified it in the law yet, not that no rule exists.
Swipe the table sideways to see every column.
| State | Fee caps | Private tow cap (car) | Drop fee release | Get belongings | Hearing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | No | - | No | No | Yes |
| Alaska | No | - | No | No | Partly |
| Arizona | Some | - | No | Partly | 10 calendar days |
| Arkansas | No | - | No | Yes | 30 calendar days |
| California | Some | - | Yes | Yes | Partly |
| Colorado | Yes | $250.91 | Partly | Yes | Not verified |
| Connecticut | Yes | $130.63 | Yes | Yes | Partly |
| Delaware | Some | $250 | Yes | Yes | Partly |
| District of Columbia | Some | - | – | – | Not verified |
| Florida | No | - | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Georgia | Some | $228 | Yes | Yes | Partly |
| Hawaii | Some | $75 | Yes | – | Not verified |
| Idaho | No | - | Partly | Yes | 10 calendar days |
| Illinois | Some | $238.20 | Yes | Yes | Partly |
| Indiana | Some | - | – | Partly | 30 calendar days |
| Iowa | No | - | No | No | Partly |
| Kansas | No | - | No | Partly | No |
| Kentucky | No | - | Yes | Partly | Not verified |
| Louisiana | Yes | $152.50 | – | Yes | Partly |
| Maine | Some | - | – | Yes | Not verified |
| Maryland | Some | $250 | Yes | Yes | Not verified |
| Massachusetts | Yes | $132 | Yes | – | Not verified |
| Michigan | No | - | Yes | Yes | 20 calendar days |
| Minnesota | No | - | No | Partly | No |
| Mississippi | No | - | Partly | – | Not verified |
| Missouri | No | - | Yes | Partly | 10 calendar days |
| Montana | No | - | No | Partly | Partly |
| Nebraska | No | - | Partly | Partly | No |
| Nevada | No | - | Yes | Yes | 21 calendar days |
| New Hampshire | No | - | No | Yes | 15 calendar days |
| New Jersey | No | - | Yes | Partly | Partly |
| New Mexico | Yes | $100 | – | Yes | Yes |
| New York | No | - | Partly | Partly | Partly |
| North Carolina | No | - | No | No | Yes |
| North Dakota | Some | - | – | – | Not verified |
| Ohio | Some | $144 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Oklahoma | Yes | $108.06 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Oregon | No | - | Yes | Yes | Partly |
| Pennsylvania | Some | - | No | No | Partly |
| Rhode Island | Yes | $125 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| South Carolina | No | - | No | Partly | Partly |
| South Dakota | No | - | No | Partly | No |
| Tennessee | Some | - | Yes | Partly | Partly |
| Texas | Some | $272 | Yes | Yes | 14 business days |
| Utah | Yes | $211 | Yes | Partly | Yes |
| Vermont | No | - | No | No | No |
| Virginia | Some | $210 | Yes | Partly | No |
| Washington | Some | $400.95 | No | Yes | 10 calendar days |
| West Virginia | Yes | $102 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Wisconsin | Some | $150 | – | Yes | Not verified |
| Wyoming | No | - | No | Yes | No |
Questions
Which states cap towing fees?
In our data, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin set statewide limits on at least some tow fees. Elsewhere cities and counties often set their own.
Do tow companies have to release my car for a drop fee?
23 of the 50 states require release for a drop fee if you get there before the tow truck leaves.