2094), Sec. (a) A towing company that makes a nonconsent tow shall tow the vehicle to a vehicle storage facility that is operated by a person who holds a license to operate the facility under Chapter 2303, unless: (1) the towing company agrees to take the vehicle to a location designated by the vehicle's owner; or, (A) rules adopted under Subsection (a-1); or. FAQ; (c) A towing company, booting company, or parking facility owner who intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly violates this chapter is liable to the owner or operator of the vehicle that is the subject of the violation for $1,000 plus three times the amount of fees assessed in the vehicle's removal, towing, storage, or booting. (a) To protect the public health and safety, the commission by rule shall establish: (1) the fees that may be charged in connection with a private property tow; (2) the maximum amount that may be charged for fees, other than tow fees, that may be assessed by a towing company in connection with a private property tow; and. This limit varies from state to state. Renumbered from Transportation Code, Section 685.008 by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 3510), Sec. 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, TX 78744 (512) 389-4800 | (800) 792-1112 | TTY: (512) 389-8915 Operation Game Thief: (800) 792-GAME 353 (H.B. (g) A vehicle towed under Subsection (b) that is not claimed by the vehicle owner or operator within 48 hours after the conclusion of the special event may only be towed: (1) without further expense to the vehicle owner or operator; and. Renumbered from Transportation Code, Section 643.206 and amended by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. Sec. 2308.251. The TOW CHARGE: The maximum charge for a private property tow is: $357 for a car weighing more than 10,000 but less than 25,000 lbs, $459 per unit for unit for cars weighing more than 25,000 lbs with a $918 total maximum. 2, eff. September 1, 2011. Sec. Sec. 353 (H.B. 2308.305. 353 (H.B. (a-1) The commission shall adopt rules authorizing a towing company that makes a nonconsent tow from a parking facility to tow the vehicle to another location on the same parking facility under the direction of: (2) a parking facility authorized agent; or. To charge the impoundment fee, the VSF must also do at least one of the following: conduct a written inventory of any unsecured personal property contained in the car; or, remove and store all such property for which safekeeping is necessary, and specifies such removal and storage on the written inventory; or. 2094), Sec. 2.05, eff. Amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. Each VSF shall tell the car owner of TDLR's website and email address, mailing address, and telephone number, for purposes of directing complaints about the car storage to the department. September 1, 2007. Sec. 1046 (H.B. 91 (S.B. 4, eff. (b) The commission by rule shall adopt a model alcohol and drug testing policy for use by a towing company. 22, eff. 162 (S.B. Sec. (1) "Advisory board" means the Towing and Storage Advisory Board. 165, Sec. (b) Subject to Subsection (c), an individual designated by a university may, to facilitate a special event, request that a vehicle parked at a university parking facility be towed to another location on the university campus. 442, Sec. 353 (H.B. Austin Towing Laws. (4) whether a towing charge imposed or collected in connection with the removal or placement of the vehicle was greater than the amount authorized under Section 2308.0575. 353 (H.B. Relay Texas-TDD: (800) 735-2989, Helping Small Business and Consumers Since 1909, For more information about obtaining a TDLR license or renewing a TDLR license that expired while serving on active duty, please go to the, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractors, Hearing Instrument Fitters and Dispensers, Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists, Tow Trucks, Operators and Vehicle Storage Facilities, Texas Tow Truck Operator Certification Login. 845 (S.B. June 15, 2017. These pages provide information for consumers who have had their vehicle towed in a private property tow. A VSF must make reasonable efforts for the storage of a car, such as locking doors, rolling up windows, and closing doors, hatchbacks, sunroofs, trunks, hoods, or convertible tops. 2308.154. September 1, 2019. 17, eff. 757 (S.B. Amended by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. (b) Repealed by Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 2153), Sec. ROADWAY CLEARANCE PROGRAM IN CERTAIN COUNTIES; OFFENSE. (a) Under an ordinance of a municipality regulating the parking of vehicles in the municipality, to aid in the enforcement of the ordinance, an employee designated by the municipality may be authorized to: (1) immobilize a vehicle parked in the municipality; and. 2308.051. September 1, 2009. INCIDENT MANAGEMENT TOWING OPERATOR'S LICENSE. (c) A permit holder must keep the cab card in the cab of each permitted tow truck. Amended by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 2.04, eff. (7) be installed so that the bottom edge of the sign is no lower than two feet and no higher than six feet above ground level. Sec. Added by Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 3, eff. The first is towing laws for each state and country and if a braking system is required, the other is the Gross Combination Weight Rating for your motorhome. 1046 (H.B. (b) Subsection (a) does not apply to an emergency vehicle that is owned by, or the operation of which is authorized by, a governmental entity. (b) The owner or operator of a vehicle may not leave unattended on a parking facility a vehicle that: (1) obstructs a gate that is designed or intended for the use of pedestrians or vehicles; (2) obstructs pedestrian or vehicular access to an area that is used for the placement of a garbage or refuse receptacle used in common by residents of the apartment complex; (3) is in or obstructs a restricted parking area or parking space designated under Subchapter G, including a space designated for the use of employees or maintenance personnel of the parking facility or apartment complex; (4) is in a tow away zone, other than a fire lane covered by Section 2308.251(c), that is brightly painted and is conspicuously and legibly marked with the warning "TOW AWAY ZONE" in contrasting letters at least three inches tall; (5) is a semitrailer, trailer, or truck-tractor, as defined by Chapter 502, Transportation Code, unless the owner or operator of the vehicle is permitted under the terms of a rental or lease agreement with the apartment complex to leave the unattended vehicle on the parking facility; or. 1046 (H.B. September 1, 2017. Sec. September 1, 2007. June 15, 2017. 1034, Sec. 91 (S.B. Renumbered from Transportation Code, Section 643.253(d) and amended by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. (a) Repealed by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 13, eff. The information needed to file for a tow hearing. Read more: Watchdog: How to fight back if … September 1, 2009. (6) is leaking a fluid that presents a hazard or threat to persons or property. Renumbered from Transportation Code, Section 684.087 by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. (4) state a telephone number that is answered 24 hours a day to enable the owner or operator to locate the vehicle. The court may charge a filing fee of $20 for this hearing. (c) A vehicle may not be towed under Subsection (b) unless signs complying with this section are installed on the parking facility for the 72 hours preceding towing enforcement for the special event and for 48 hours after the conclusion of the special event.