New Mexico towing laws
New Mexico sets statewide maximum rates for all nonconsensual tows, including trespass tows from private lots.
More about New Mexico
The statewide wrecker tariff caps the hookup for a car at $100 and storage at $10 to $20 a day depending on how secure the lot is. You can get personal items out for free during business hours, and tow companies must take cash plus a card or check.
Checked Nov 14, 2026 · Regulator: New Mexico Department of Transportation, Transportation Division (took over from the Public Regulation Commission in 2024)
At a glance
Fee limits
Towed from a private lotApartments, stores, businesses
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Drop fee | Not verified |
Any kind of tow
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
First mile and hookup, Class A/B (up to 12,000 lb)1DetailsStatewide Wrecker Tariff effective February 1, 2017, still posted by NMDOT. Applies to all nonconsensual tows. A fuel surcharge may be added under state rules. | Up to $100 |
| Loaded mileage, Class A/B, miles 2 to 2513$3.50 a mile from mile 26 on. | Up to $5 / mile |
Daily storage, Class A/B vehicle12Details$10 for a fenced and locked lot, $15 if also lighted, $20 for an enclosed roofed building. Any part of a day counts as a full day. | Up to $20 / day |
| After-hours delivery charge13Release outside business hours is optional for the tow company. | Up to $50 |
What will I owe in New Mexico?
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.
Your rights: drop fee, belongings, hearing
Get your belongings outWithout paying the tow first
Unless police ordered a hold, the owner can inspect the car and remove personal property for free during normal business hours by showing proof of ownership.2
Right to a hearingTo contest the tow
If you dispute the charges or think the tow was illegal, the tow company must give you a written statement explaining how to file a complaint with the state transportation department.2
Payment they must take
Tow companies must accept cash, plus either a credit card or a check, and must post which forms of payment they take.2
Owner noticeWhat the tower must tell you or police
The tow company must request owner information within three business days and mail a certified notice to the owner and lienholder within two business days of getting it. If it misses either step, it cannot collect storage on an unclaimed car.2
Storage rules
Storage starts when the car reaches the lot and is charged by calendar day. The lot must be fenced and locked, and the tow company must take the car to its nearest storage lot.12
What to bringTo get the car released
You can get the car back during business hours as a matter of right by paying the charges and showing proof of ownership. Bills must be itemized.12
Tow-away signsRequired on private lots
Commercial lots and apartments need visible signs saying illegally parked cars may be towed and the exact hours enforced. The tow company needs written authorization from the property and must photograph the car and the sign before towing.2
Not verified Release for a drop fee. We have not confirmed these in New Mexico law yet. Why
By situation
New Mexico cities
Think the tow or the bill was wrong?
Ask the lot for an itemized receipt, compare it to the legal limits in New Mexico, and request a hearing before the deadline. Our step-by-step guide and calculator are free.
Guides: how to fight a tow · what to bring · impound costs by city
Questions
Is there a limit on towing fees in New Mexico?
Yes. First mile and hookup, Class A/B (up to 12,000 lb): up to $100. Storage: $20 per day.
Can I get my belongings out of a towed car in New Mexico?
Unless police ordered a hold, the owner can inspect the car and remove personal property for free during normal business hours by showing proof of ownership.
How do I contest a tow in New Mexico?
If you dispute the charges or think the tow was illegal, the tow company must give you a written statement explaining how to file a complaint with the state transportation department.
What payment do tow lots have to accept in New Mexico?
Tow companies must accept cash, plus either a credit card or a check, and must post which forms of payment they take.
Sources
Last checked Nov 14, 2026. Fees and rules change: confirm with the lot or agency before you go. Spot an error? Tell us.
- New Mexico Statewide Wrecker Tariff, effective February 1, 2017, NM Public Regulation Commission, posted by NMDOT. Checked Nov 14, 2026.
- 18.3.12 NMAC Towing Services (18.3.12 NMAC (eff. 7/1/2024)), New Mexico Department of Transportation. Checked Nov 14, 2026.
- Vermont AG draft State Towing Regulation Compendium (rates only), Vermont Attorney General. Checked Nov 14, 2026. Secondary source.