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Tennessee drop fee: do they have to release your car?

If the car has not left its parking spot, the tower must release it immediately when the owner pays a release fee. That fee is capped at $100 statewide. The most a tow company may charge for a drop fee on a car in Tennessee is $100.

Checked Nov 15, 2026 against the Tennessee statute and regulator pages.

What to do now

  1. Stay calm and tell the operator you want the car released.
  2. Ask what the drop fee is and pay it if it is within your state limit. Some states require them to take a card.
  3. Get a receipt with the company name, truck number and amount.
  4. If they refuse when your state requires release, call police non-emergency and note the time.

Tennessee rules that matter here

Drop fee release

If the car has not left its parking spot, the tower must release it immediately when the owner pays a release fee. That fee is capped at $100 statewide.1

Payment

State law does not list payment types a tow company must take. On tows ordered by the Tennessee Highway Patrol, a card surcharge may not be more than what the company itself pays to accept the card. Paid boots must allow payment by credit or debit card.14

Tow-away signs

Towing from a lot open to the public requires clearly visible signs at each entrance and exit saying unauthorized cars will be towed, with the tow company's name and phone number. Without signs, a car can still be towed if it has been left more than 12 hours or is blocking access, creating a hazard or parked illegally.1

Related

Tennessee cities: Nashville, Memphis

Think the tow or the bill was wrong?

Ask the lot for an itemized receipt, compare it to the legal limits in Tennessee, and request a hearing before the deadline. Our step-by-step guide and calculator are free.

Questions

Do tow trucks have to release your car if you show up?

In many states the operator must release the car for a drop fee if you arrive before it leaves the property. In others it is up to the company or city ordinance. Check your state below.

Sources

Last checked Nov 15, 2026. Fees and rules change: confirm with the lot or agency before you go. Spot an error? Tell us.

  1. Public Chapter 457 of 2025 (SB 1068), MOTION Act creating T.C.A. title 55, chapter 31 (Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 55-31-201 to 55-31-305), Tennessee Secretary of State. Checked Nov 14, 2026.
  2. Tenn. Code 66-19-103 Garagekeeper liens (2025 code via Justia) (Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-19-103), Justia (mirror of the Tennessee Code). Checked Nov 14, 2026.
  3. Metropolitan Transportation Licensing Commission Rules and Procedures (September 16, 2026), Metro Nashville Transportation Licensing Commission. Checked Nov 14, 2026.
  4. Tennessee Highway Patrol Towing Service Standards Manual (revised January 2017, as posted in 2026) (THP Towing Service Standards Manual, sections XIII and XIV), Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security. Checked Nov 15, 2026.
  5. Vehicle Storage and Release, Memphis Police Department. Checked Nov 15, 2026.