TEXAS, USA — Driving around town, I'm sure you've seen the "No Parking", "Towing Enforced" signs. However, not all tows are legal, and there is a way to protect your vehicle from an illegal tow.
According to Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), Texas towing laws permit law enforcement and private property owners from towing illegally parked or abandoned vehicles. However, the towing sign must meet certain rules and regulations to be considered a legal tow.
"No Parking" and notices of parking violations both allow a private property owner to call a tow truck at their own expense.
If your car does get towed, you must contact the private property owner and find out the name of the towing company. Fines can rack up for a towed car pretty quickly, starting with the actual tow charge, then a daily storage charge, notification fee, impound fee and government or law enforcement fees.
One valid question to be asked is what about the guidelines a towing company has to follow.
Well, state law says a towing sign must be attached to a pole or a wall in each parking space or placed around the entire lot and be easily visible. They must have this international towing symbol and display “Towing Enforced". The symbol should be bright red, four inches in size and at the top of the sign. Underneath the symbol the sign should state “Unauthorized Vehicle will be Towed at Owner or Operator’s Expense”.
Next, it should identify who is allowed to park in the area, who is prohibited and the days and hours towing is enforced. The bottom portion should provide a 24-hour telephone number that a car owner can call to locate their towed vehicle.
For an even more detailed list of regulations, click here.
Signs that are bent, faded or do not meet height requirements are technically not legal signs, meaning you should not be towed. This is a complex argument that is often heard in justice of the peace courts, but with the right information it can be ruled in favor of the driver.
You may request a tow hearing with the justice court within 14 days of the tow. The court will hold a hearing within 21 days and if your car was towed illegally, you might not have to pay those hefty fines after all.
Click here for more information on Texas Public Law pertaining to towing signs.
Click here for more consumer information about towing from TDLR.