Our Wrecker Enforcement & Impound Unit supervises the impoundment of thousands of vehicles a year that are involved in unfortunate circumstances on our county roadways. Under the guidance of the Texas Transportation Code (§545.305 and §683.002) and the Code of Criminal Procedures (Art. 2.12), we derive the authority to regulate towing and storage of non-consent police towing in the unincorporated areas of Travis County.
We have a contractual agreement with numerous towing companies throughout Travis County for service as it applies to police-initiated tows. With this mechanism in place, our agency can protect the public with the use of towing regulated pricing and rules.
Please be advised that the City of Austin has city ordinances and rules for towing companies that operate within the city limits, and these may differ from the rules of Travis County. You must be aware of which authority applies to your vehicle.
Fees
The most common complaint about towing is in overcharging fees. If you believe you have been overcharged, please check the fee schedule below. If there is a discrepancy, please contact our
If the impounded vehicle is not recovered by the owner or lienholder within the prescribed period, it can be subject to public auction.
Fee Schedule
Class A Tows
Initial Towing – Vehicles 10,000 lbs. or less (flat fee including flatbed/dollies): $275.00
Flatbed/Dolly (included in initial towing fee): $0.00
Storage: $20.00 per day
Winching (flat fee for one or more hookups on the same vehicle): $75.00
Waiting Time at Scene after First Hour: $50.00 per hour
Clean-up: $50.00 flat fee
Extra Labor: $50.00 per hour
*Hourly rates for time worked of less than an hour shall be calculated to a half hour.
Class B Tows
Initial Towing – Vehicles in excess of 10,000 lbs.: $450.00
Flatbed/Dolly (included in initial towing fee): $0.00
Storage: $20.00 per day
Winching (flat fee for one or more hookups on the same vehicle): $75.00
Waiting Time at Scene after First Hour: $75.00 per hour
Clean-up: $75.00 flat fee
Extra Labor: $75.00 per hour
Specialized Equipment Rental Cost Plus 35%
*Hourly rates for time worked of less than full hour shall be calculated to the next half hour.
Class C Tows
Initial Towing – Vehicles in excess of 26,000 lbs.: $1,000.00
Additional Class C Tow Truck: $600.00
Truck and Driver Waiting Time After First Hour - $25 per 15 min.: $100.00 per hour
Air bags: $1,000.00 per incident/bag
Forklift: $125.00 per hour
Haul Trailer or Off-Load Cargo/Pay-load: $500.00
Trailer Dollies (to move disabled Semi-Trailer): $100.00 per hour
Additional /Extra labor/manpower (only as necessary): $100.00 per hour
Equipment operator (per piece, per hour, per person): $150.00
Winching: $200.00
Specialized Equipment (snatch block, cable, etc.): $200.00
Other Specialized Equipment Rental Cost Plus 35%
Haul Truck and Trailer: $1,000.00
*Hourly rates for time worked of less than an hour shall be rounded to 15 min. increments.
Wrecker Inspection Annual Inspection: $100.00 per truck
Law Enforcement Non-Consensual Towing
We have the authority to tow and impound vehicles under the following limited circumstances. Law enforcement directed vehicle tows falls under the Texas Transportation Code (§545.305 and §683.002) and Code of Criminal procedures (Art. 2.12).
- When the driver of the vehicle was lawfully stopped by law enforcement and the vehicle has been seized, with or without the driver being arrested.
- When the vehicle has been disabled in a traffic accident and the owner/operator is not at the scene or is unable to exercise that right.
- When the vehicle is illegally parked in violation of a Texas Statute.
- Examples would include blocking the roadway, parking within an intersection or crosswalk, parking too close to a fire hydrant or traffic control sign, and several other reasons. If your vehicle becomes disabled on a traffic-way or roadway, and it is a hazard or impedes traffic, it will be impounded.
- When the vehicle has been abandoned on public property or left unattended on the right-of-way of a designated county, state, or federal highway.
TOWING FROM A PRIVATE PROPERTY
For more information, please contact the Wrecker Enforcement & Impound Unit at: