What to Do if Your Car Ever Gets Towed in Harris County

Few experiences are as frustrating as walking to where you parked your car—only to find it gone. In Harris County, this happens every day, often due to illegal parking, being left on private property, blocking traffic after an accident, or violating local ordinances. Whether you live in Houston, Pasadena, Baytown, or any of the surrounding communities, knowing what to do after your car gets towed can save you time, money, and stress.

At Orange Law Firm, we’ve helped countless clients navigate complex vehicle impound, towing disputes, and property damage claims throughout Texas. This guide will walk you through every step of what to do when your car is towed in Harris County—from locating your vehicle and understanding your rights to disputing wrongful towing and recovering your car efficiently.

Why Vehicles Get Towed in Harris County

Understanding why cars get towed in Harris County helps prevent future issues and gives you a foundation for disputing an improper tow. Under Texas law and local city ordinances, towing companies must follow strict procedures before removing a vehicle. However, there are several common situations where towing is entirely legal:

1. Illegal Parking or Traffic Violations:
   Cars parked in a “No Parking” zone, blocking driveways, fire hydrants, or sidewalks can be towed immediately. This also applies to cars parked in handicap spaces without proper placards.
2. Private Property Towing:
   Apartment complexes, shopping centers, and business parking lots can contract private towing companies to remove unauthorized vehicles. In these cases, proper signage must be clearly displayed, identifying the towing company’s name, phone number, and address.
3. Abandoned or Inoperable Vehicles:
   Vehicles left on public property for more than 48 hours without moving—or those considered inoperable—may be impounded by local authorities.
4. Accidents and Police Impounds:
   After a car crash, especially if a vehicle blocks traffic or is unsafe to drive, Houston police or the Harris County Sheriff’s Office may authorize a tow to clear the roadway.
5. Expired Registration or Violations:
   In some cases, cars with expired tags or unpaid tickets may be towed when stopped by law enforcement.

No matter the reason, the process of getting your car back can be overwhelming—especially if you’ve never dealt with an impound before. But don’t panic—there’s a clear process for tracking your car down and reclaiming it legally.

Step 1: Stay Calm and Verify That Your Car Was Actually Towed

Before assuming your car was stolen, confirm that it was towed. Many people panic and call 911 to report a theft, but this often delays the process. If your vehicle is missing in Harris County, start by checking for posted towing signs nearby.

Look around for signage stating “Unauthorized vehicles will be towed at the owner’s expense.” If you see such signs, it’s likely that your car was towed by a private company. You may also notice freshly scraped tire marks, which can indicate that a tow truck recently pulled your car away.

If you parked in a public area or on a city street, it’s possible your car was removed by local law enforcement for violating parking rules or being left in a restricted zone.

Step 2: Locate Your Towed Vehicle

Once you suspect your car was towed, the first and most urgent step is to find out where it was taken. In Harris County, there are multiple ways to locate your vehicle:

1. Call the Houston Police Department’s Auto Impound Lot

If you’re within Houston city limits, call (713) 308-8580. The Houston Police Department maintains a database of all vehicles towed within the city. You’ll need to provide your license plate number, VIN, or driver’s license informationto locate the vehicle.

2. Use HoustonTow.com

Visit HoustonTow.com and enter your license plate or VIN number. This website is linked to multiple authorized towing companies and impound lots across Harris County. It can instantly display the name, phone number, and address of the facility holding your car.

3. Contact the Local Law Enforcement Agency

If you were outside city limits—such as in Pasadena, Baytown, Humble, or Cypress—contact the law enforcement agency that patrols that jurisdiction. They can confirm whether your car was towed by order of an officer or due to a violation.

4. Ask Nearby Businesses or Property Owners

If your car was in a private parking lot, nearby businesses may know which towing company was contracted to remove vehicles from that area. Property owners are required by law to post contact information for the towing company used.

Once you confirm which company towed your car, write down the towing company’s name, phone number, and the impound lot’s address. The sooner you retrieve your car, the less you’ll owe in daily storage fees.

Step 3: Understand Texas Towing and Storage Fees

Under Texas Occupations Code Chapter 2308 (the Towing and Booting Act), towing companies must follow strict rules about fees and storage charges. These fees can vary depending on the type of tow and how long your vehicle stays in storage.

Typical Fees You Might Face Include:

• Standard Tow Fee: $255 for a light-duty tow (passenger cars)
• Heavy-Duty Tow Fee: Up to $450 or more, depending on vehicle weight
• Daily Storage Fee: Typically $20–$30 per day
• Administrative or Notification Fees: Charged when a towing company mails required notices to registered owners

It’s critical to pick up your car as soon as possible to minimize these costs. Under Texas law, towing companies must release vehicles immediately upon payment and presentation of valid documents. If they refuse, you have the right to file a complaint with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) or request a Tow Hearing in a local justice court.

Step 4: Bring the Required Documents to Retrieve Your Vehicle

When you arrive at the impound lot, bring the following items to ensure a smooth release process:

• A valid driver’s license or photo ID
• Proof of ownership, such as the title, registration, or a bill of sale
• Proof of insurance
• Proof of lienholder or authorization (if applicable), if the vehicle is leased or financed

Without these documents, the storage facility cannot legally release your vehicle. If you don’t have access to them immediately—for example, if your registration is in the glove box of the towed car—you can request permission to retrieve documents from your vehicle under supervision.

Step 5: Inspect Your Vehicle Before Leaving the Impound Lot

Before driving away, carefully inspect your vehicle for damage or missing items. Take clear photos or videos of all sides of your car, both exterior and interior. Towing and impound facilities are required to maintain reasonable care of your vehicle while it’s in their possession, but damage does occur.

If you notice new dents, scratches, or broken parts, immediately document them and report the issue to the towing company in writing. You can later use these photos as evidence if you decide to file a claim for property damage or dispute the tow.

Step 6: What to Do if You Can’t Afford the Fees

Retrieving a towed car can be expensive—especially if it’s been in storage for several days. Fortunately, Texas law allows you to challenge or delay payment through a “Tow Hearing.”

How a Tow Hearing Works:

• You can request a hearing at your local Justice of the Peace Court within 14 days of the date your vehicle was towed or you were notified.
• The hearing allows a judge to review whether the towing was legal under Texas law.
• If the judge finds the tow improper, you may not be required to pay the full towing and storage fees. The towing company may even have to reimburse you.

This legal safeguard is designed to prevent predatory or unauthorized towing—something that unfortunately occurs frequently in Harris County.

If you believe your car was wrongfully towed or the fees are excessive, contact Orange Law Firm at (713) 885-9787 for a free consultation. Our attorneys can help you prepare the hearing request, gather evidence, and represent your case.

Step 7: Know Your Rights Under Texas Towing Law

Many drivers don’t realize they have rights when it comes to vehicle towing. Texas has specific laws that protect consumers from overcharging, illegal tows, and property damage. Here are key rights every Harris County driver should know:

1. Right to Receive a Towing Receipt
   The towing company must give you a detailed receipt listing the tow date, reason, and all fees charged.
2. Right to Immediate Vehicle Release
   Once you pay the authorized charges and show proof of ownership, your vehicle must be released immediately.
3. Right to a Tow Hearing
   As discussed above, you can challenge the legality or reasonableness of the tow within 14 days.
4. Right to Access Personal Property
   Even before paying, you have the right to retrieve personal belongings, such as your wallet, medication, or important documents, from your car.
5. Right to Report Violations
   If a towing company refuses to cooperate or overcharges, file a complaint with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) or call 1-800-803-9202.

Common Towing Scams and How to Avoid Them

Unfortunately, predatory towing practices are common in Texas. Some companies patrol lots and tow cars without proper authorization or signage. Here’s how to protect yourself:

• Check for Signage: Always verify that a private parking lot has clearly posted towing warnings with contact information.
• Avoid Leaving Your Car Overnight: Some lots tow after hours, even if you were a legitimate customer earlier in the day.
• Be Wary of “Spotters”: In some apartment complexes, individuals are paid to report cars for towing violations.
• Take Photos: If you believe a tow is unjustified, take photos of where you parked and any missing or obscured signage.

If you suspect a predatory tow, contact a Houston towing dispute attorney immediately. The sooner you take action, the better your chances of recovering your vehicle and any associated costs.

What If Your Car Was Towed After an Accident?

After a collision in Harris County, it’s common for police to call a rotation tow truck to remove your damaged vehicle from the scene. These tows are legally authorized, but they can still lead to confusion about where your car was taken.

Here’s what to do:

• Ask the responding officer for the tow slip and towing company information.
• Contact your insurance company immediately. They may cover towing and storage fees.
• Don’t authorize additional repairs or storage until your insurer inspects the vehicle.

If the tow company refuses to release your car to your insurance adjuster or charges excessive fees, contact an attorney for help. Orange Law Firm can step in to resolve disputes and ensure your rights are protected.

What to Do if Your Car Was Wrongfully Towed

Wrongful towing happens more often than you’d think—especially in private parking lots around Houston and Harris County. If you believe your car was towed without legal justification, you have several options:

1. Gather Evidence: Take photos of the area where your car was parked, showing the absence or illegibility of warning signs.
2. Request Tow Documentation: Ask the towing company for a copy of their tow authorization form or photos proving your violation.
3. File for a Tow Hearing: Bring your evidence to the local Justice of the Peace Court within 14 days.
4. Consult an Attorney: A Texas towing lawyer can help you recover damages, challenge fees, and file complaints with TDLR if necessary.

At Orange Law Firm, we regularly assist clients in recovering vehicles, disputing wrongful tows, and filing claims for damages or lost personal property.

How to Prevent Your Car from Being Towed in Harris County

The best way to handle a towing situation is to avoid one altogether. Here are proactive steps every driver should take:

• Always Read Signs Carefully: Before parking, check for private property or “Tow Away Zone” signs.
• Keep Your Registration Up to Date: Expired tags or inspection stickers can make your car an easy target for impound.
• Avoid Parking on Public Rights-of-Way: Don’t park near fire hydrants, crosswalks, or red-painted curbs.
• Report Illegal Towing: If you notice predatory towing activity, notify law enforcement or file a TDLR complaint.
• Use Well-Lit Areas: Towing disputes often arise in dark, unmarked lots—stick to clearly marked, legal parking spaces.

When to Contact an Attorney

Most towing issues can be resolved through direct communication with the impound lot or by paying fees. But when you’re facing excessive charges, missing property, or wrongful towing, legal help is invaluable.

An experienced Houston towing lawyer can:

• Challenge improper or illegal tows in court
• Recover overpaid fees or damages for vehicle damage
• File complaints with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation
• Negotiate with towing companies and property owners on your behalf

At Orange Law Firm, we understand the frustration and financial hardship that comes from losing access to your car. Our team fights for fair treatment under Texas law and ensures towing companies are held accountable when they cross the line.

Contact Orange Law for Help

If your car has been towed in Harris County—especially under questionable circumstances—don’t handle it alone. You have legal rights, and we’re here to help you enforce them.

Our experienced Houston injury attorneys can review your situation, explain your legal options, and help you recover your vehicle as quickly as possible. Whether you’re dealing with a Houston towing company dispute, improper impound fees, or property damage after a tow, we’ll fight to protect your rights and your wallet.