Legal and Regulatory Information About Towing in Dallas TX
We navigate complex towing rules in Dallas, TX, where a single misstep can result in hefty fines or even the loss of a vehicle. We follow the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation’s (TDLR) guidelines, which govern towing procedures.
This article should help you as the vehicle owner to learn more about the legal ins and outs of towing in Dallas, TX. Please note that this is no legal advice and we claim no responsibility if you take or don’t take any action based on this article.
Also note that our company only tows vehicles on the owner’s request and we don’t tow other people’s vehicles because we don’t have a specific license for that.
So if your car has been towed without your consent and you are looking for it, let’s assure you, it wasn’t us 😉
How To Legally Tow A Car In Texas?
So, how exactly do we go about towing a car in Texas without incurring hefty fines or possibly even having the vehicle impounded?
First, towing companies in Dallas need to follow the proper towing procedures set by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). If the car is hooked up but not fully towed, the owner can reclaim it without charge or proof of ownership. However, if the car is fully hooked up, a drop fee must be paid to reclaim it.
As a property owner, you have property rights that allow a towing company to tow vehicles if parked without permission. However, they also need to respect the consumer protections in place. For this type of towing, a special license is needed which we don’t have. So we can’t tow other people’s cars from your property.
Before towing, a towing company must provide clear signage with the tow company’s phone number. If the car is towed, the owner can locate it by calling this number and pay the required towing fees to recover the vehicle from a Vehicle Storage Facility (VSF).
How Long Before A Tow Company Can Sell Your Car In Texas?
In Texas, a tow company can sell a car through a public sale 30 days after the Vehicle Storage Facility (VSF) mails or publishes the second notice, which is sent to the vehicle owner. As vehicle owners, you need to understand your rights in this situation.
You’re entitled to access your personal property from the towed vehicle without charge, but you must act quickly.
The auction process timeline is vital. After the VSF sends the second notice, you’ve 30 days to claim our vehicle before it’s sold. If you dispute the towing fees, you can request a tow hearing within 14 days. The hearing will be held within 21 days, and you can contest the fees.
It’s essential to be aware of the notification requirements. The VSF must send two notices before auctioning your vehicle. If you don’t respond, the vehicle can be sold, and the proceeds will cover towing and storage charges.
Any remaining funds will be paid to you as the vehicle owner. By understanding your rights and the auction process timeline, you can navigate this situation effectively and protect our interests.
What Are The Towing Laws In Texas?
As vehicle owners in Texas, you need to understand the laws that govern towing in the state, which dictate the rights and responsibilities of both towing companies and vehicle owners, as outlined by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR).
When it comes to towing rights, you’ve specific protections afforded to you. For instance, if your car is hooked up but not fully towed, you can reclaim it without charge or proof of ownership. Additionally, you’ve the right to access your vehicle to retrieve documents or personal property without incurring a fee.
Consumer protections also extend to vehicle recovery. If your car is towed, you can locate it by calling the phone number on the no-parking sign and recover it from a Vehicle Storage Facility (VSF) by providing proof of ownership and paying the required towing and storage fees.
You can also request a tow hearing within 14 days if you believe your car was wrongfully towed. Understanding towing fees, property access, and your rights and responsibilities is essential to maneuvering the towing process in Texas.
What Are The Texas Towing Regulations?
Numerous regulations govern towing in Texas, and understanding these specific requirements is essential for safe and compliant towing practices.
As we explore the specifics, we find that our towing equipment must meet certain standards, including connection strength and tow bar visibility. We also need to adhere to specific trailer dimensions, such as height, length, and width. The height of both our towing vehicle and trailer shouldn’t exceed 14 feet, while the trailer’s length and width should be within 45 feet and 8 feet 6 inches, respectively.
We must also comply with weight limits, which dictate that no special license is required for towing vehicles up to 25,999 lbs. However, a Class B license is necessary for vehicles weighing 26,000 lbs or more.
Safety regulations require us to use safety chains, warning signs, and flares, while brakes and breakaways are mandatory for trailers over 4,500 lbs and 3,000 lbs, respectively. Additionally, there are specific speed limits for different types of vehicles and trailers.
Familiarizing ourselves with these regulations and obtaining the necessary towing permits will help us avoid penalties and guarantee a smooth towing experience. By following these regulations, we can guarantee a safe and successful tow.
Can A Towing Company Keep Your Car?
Most people wonder how long a towing company can hold onto their vehicle, and the answer depends on the specific circumstances surrounding the tow.
We’ve seen cases where vehicles are kept for an extended period, but not indefinitely. In consumer towing situations, such as illegal parking or unsafe driving, the towing company can keep the vehicle for up to six days or until 30 days after recorded possession.
However, in cases of private property impound (PPI), the tow company can keep the car for up to four days unless requested longer by the property owner.
It’s crucial to understand the fee structures and impound procedures to navigate towing disputes effectively.
Vehicle retrieval requires paying all fees, including storage, impound, towing, and administrative fees. If you dispute the fees, you can file a complaint with local authorities or take legal action to recover damages.
We recommend reviewing towing notifications carefully to guarantee you’re aware of the fees and procedures.
How Long Does A Towing Company Keep Your Car?
Understanding how long a towing company can hold onto your vehicle is vital, and the timeline typically hinges on the state’s regulations, with 30 days being a common benchmark.
You must note that the rules vary by state, and it’s important to familiarize yourself with the specific regulations in Dallas, TX.
When a vehicle is towed, the towing company must notify the owner that the vehicle has been towed and is being held. This notification marks the beginning of the towing duration, during which the owner can retrieve their vehicle by paying the necessary fees.
As vehicle owners, your responsibilities include paying storage fees and retrieving our vehicles within the specified period. If you fail to do so, the towing company can begin the title process, which may lead to a lien sale or public auction.
It’s significant to understand that towing companies can keep your vehicles for an extended period if you don’t take action. By knowing your responsibilities and the towing duration, you can avoid additional costs and guarantee a smooth vehicle retrieval process.
Conclusion
As we conclude our overview of the legal and regulatory landscape of towing in Dallas, TX, we want to point out that staying informed is key to a safer and more responsible driving community.
Curiously, according to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, over 20,000 vehicles are towed in Dallas County each month.
By understanding the laws and regulations that govern towing, we can work together to reduce this number and promote a more informed and accountable towing industry.
If you want to learn more about what the most important part to consider when towing a vehicle is, read the linked post.
