By Texas Tows Inc.
Quick Summary
To find your towed car in Dallas, first work out who towed it: a private property tow goes to the number on the tow-away sign, and a Dallas police tow goes to the Dallas Police Auto Pound at (214) 670-5116.
Have your license plate number, VIN, year, make and model, and the registered owner's name ready when you call.
To get the car back from a storage facility, you'll need photo ID, proof you own or may use the car, and payment of the towing and storage fees.
Storage fees start adding up daily, so find the car and plan the pickup the same day if you can.
If you're trying to find your towed car in Dallas, start with where it was parked. A car taken from a parking lot is usually a private property tow, so call the number on the lot's tow-away sign. If police had it towed, call the Dallas Police Auto Pound. If it can't be driven out, a secondary tow can move it from the lot.
Was your car towed or stolen?
Before you assume the worst, look around where you parked. A tow-away sign at the entrance or on a light pole, fresh no-parking signs, or a nearby boot or tow notice usually means the car was towed, not stolen.
A few quick checks help:
Look for a sign. Private lots that tow post tow-away signs, and the number on the sign is the one to call to find your car (per the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation).
Think about the last few days. A crash, an arrest, a parking violation, a blocked street or driving without insurance can all lead to a police-ordered tow.
Consider a repossession. If you're behind on a car loan, call your lender before anyone else.
If there's no sign, no tow notice and no reason for a repossession, call the Dallas Police Auto Pound (below) to rule out a police tow, then report the car to Dallas police as possibly stolen.
Who do you call to find a towed car in Dallas?
Who you call depends on who ordered the tow. Private property tows and police tows end up in different places, so it pays to figure out which one you're dealing with first.
If it was towed from a parking lot or apartment complex
Call the phone number on the tow-away sign. TDLR's consumer guide says that's how you find a car towed from a parking lot, and the towing company or the vehicle storage facility (VSF) will tell you where it is.
If you return while the truck is still hooking up your car, you may not have to pay anything at all. TDLR explains the rules for a car that's partly or fully hooked up but hasn't left the lot. Our guide to Texas private property towing laws walks through the sign requirements and drop fees in detail.
If Dallas police had it towed
Call the Dallas Police Auto Pound at (214) 670-5116. The Auto Pound stores vehicles towed after crashes, arrests, car fires, parking violations and street blockages, along with cars with no proof of insurance, recovered stolen cars, abandoned vehicles and cars held as evidence.
The Auto Pound is at 1955 Vilbig Road, Dallas, TX 75208. Its staff need these details to locate your car:
License plate number
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
Year, make and model
Registered owner's name
The Auto Pound handles Dallas police tows. If another agency ordered the tow, ask that agency where the car went. Our post on police impound vs. accident towing in Dallas explains how those two kinds of tows differ.
If you can't find your VIN
Your VIN is printed on your title and usually on your registration paperwork and insurance card. Having it ready makes the call faster.
What do you need to get your car out of impound in Dallas?
You'll need photo ID, proof that you own the car or are allowed to use it, and payment of the towing and storage fees. The exact documents depend on whether the car is at a private VSF or the Dallas Police Auto Pound.
At a private vehicle storage facility
TDLR lists three things a VSF can require before releasing your car:
Photo ID. A state driver's license or ID card, a federal photo ID, or a foreign government photo ID such as a Mexico driver's license or matrícula consular.
Proof of ownership or permission. Any one of: a license that matches the registration records, an insurance card naming you, the title, a notarized power of attorney from the owner, a tax collector's receipt with a registration renewal card, or a current lease or rental agreement.
Payment of the towing and storage fees.
You can get into the car at the VSF to collect ownership papers or personal belongings without paying a fee. If the facility accepts cars 24 hours a day, TDLR says you can claim or access your car at any hour, within one hour of asking.
At the Dallas Police Auto Pound
The Auto Pound's claiming page asks for a state-issued photo ID or driver's license, current auto insurance, and the certificate of title or a bill of sale. If ownership changed in the last 30 days, bring a copy of the registration printout from the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Bring the original ID. The Auto Pound says it won't accept a copy. Call (214) 670-5116 to confirm current release hours before you go.
The Auto Pound's FAQ says it requires proof of insurance to release a vehicle, and that staff won't waive fees because you show insurance after a no-insurance impound. Its claiming page marks ID and insurance as required when you plan to drive the car away. If the car can't be driven, call (214) 670-5116 before you go so you know what they'll accept.
If someone else is picking up the car
The Auto Pound lists the extra paperwork needed when someone other than the registered owner claims the car. That includes a notarized Authorization to Release, which the Auto Pound has on hand. At a private VSF, a notarized power of attorney from the owner is one of TDLR's accepted proofs.
How fast do towing storage fees add up?
Storage fees start the day your car arrives and are charged per day or part of a day, so every day counts. Under TDLR's rules, a day begins and ends at midnight, and a car that stays less than 12 hours can't be charged for more than one day.
That midnight rule is why speed matters. A car dropped off in the evening and picked up late the next afternoon has been there more than 12 hours across two calendar days, so it can be charged for two days. Our guide to Texas towing storage fees covers what a facility can and can't charge.
If you can't pick the car up for a while, don't let it sit. TDLR says a VSF can treat an unclaimed car as abandoned after sending notices, then sell it. Here's what happens if you never claim a towed car in Texas.
What if you think the tow was wrongful?
Pay to get your car out first, then dispute the tow. Texas law doesn't let you take your car from the facility without paying, but it does give you the right to a tow hearing.
TDLR says you can request a hearing at the Justice of the Peace court named on the notice the towing company or VSF gives you. You must file before the 14th day after your car was stored or booted, not counting weekends and national holidays.
Keep everything you're given: the tow ticket, receipts and any notices. Take photos of the parking area and any signs, or of the spot where a sign should have been. You can also file a complaint with TDLR, which is separate from the hearing.
Can Texas Tows move your car from the impound lot?
Yes. Texas Tows picks up vehicles from impound lots, storage facilities and repair shops, and moves them wherever they need to go next. That's called secondary towing.
It helps when your car won't start, was damaged in a crash, or can't legally be driven yet. Once the lot is ready to release the car, we pick it up and take it where it needs to go next.
Call (817) 512-1024 and tell us where the car is, where it's going, and anything special about it. Quotes are based on distance and vehicle type. If the car needs a flatbed, we have the equipment. For a tow from anywhere else, see our 24/7 towing service.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find out if my car was towed in Dallas?
Look for a tow-away sign where you parked and call the number on it. If there's no sign, call the Dallas Police Auto Pound at (214) 670-5116 with your plate number or VIN. If neither has the car, report it to police as possibly stolen.
Can I find my towed car by license plate or VIN?
Yes. The Dallas Police Auto Pound asks for your license plate number, VIN, year, make and model, and the registered owner's name to locate your car. For a private property tow, give the same details to the towing company listed on the sign.
What do I need to get my car out of impound in Texas?
At a private vehicle storage facility, you need photo ID, one accepted proof of ownership or permission, and payment of the towing and storage fees. The Dallas Police Auto Pound also asks for proof of insurance and the title or a bill of sale.
Can I get my belongings out of a towed car without paying?
Yes, at a private vehicle storage facility. TDLR says you can access the car to recover personal property, or to get ownership documents, without paying a fee. You'll still need to pay the fees before you can take the car itself.
Can someone else pick up my towed car?
Yes, with the right paperwork. The Dallas Police Auto Pound accepts a notarized Authorization to Release, among other documents. For a private facility, TDLR accepts a notarized power of attorney signed by the owner.
Need Your Car Moved Out of the Lot? Call Texas Tows 24/7
Once you've found your car and handled the release, Texas Tows can take it the rest of the way. Call (817) 512-1024 any time, day or night, or use the Request Service form for a quote based on distance and vehicle type.
Sources
Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, Consumer Information about Towing
Dallas Police Department, Auto Pound
Dallas Police Department, Claiming a Vehicle
This post is general information, not legal advice. Rules, hours and requirements can change, so confirm with the towing company, storage facility or Dallas Police Auto Pound before you go.
