- Secondary towing in Dallas is a second tow that moves a vehicle that's already been towed once, such as from an impound lot or storage yard to a repair shop, or from one shop to another.
- To release a car from a Texas vehicle storage facility (VSF), you generally need photo ID, proof you own or may use the car, and payment of the towing and storage fees.
- Storage fees build up daily, so lining up the second tow quickly can save money.
- Texas Tows handles secondary tows 24/7, with clear pricing based on distance and vehicle type and flatbeds available when the car needs one.
Secondary towing in Dallas covers the move after the first tow. Your car might be sitting at an impound lot after a private property tow, at a storage yard after an accident, or at a body shop that can't fix it. A secondary towing service picks it up there and delivers it where it needs to go next.
What is secondary towing?
Secondary towing is any tow that moves a vehicle from where it was first taken to its next destination. The first tow clears the road or the parking lot; the secondary tow gets the car to the place that will fix, store or keep it.
Common Dallas examples include:
- An impound or storage lot to your preferred repair shop
- A body shop to a dealership for warranty or specialty work
- A shop that declined the job to another shop
- A storage facility back to your home once repairs are done
It's the same towing work, just with a pickup from a business rather than the roadside. That means a little more coordination: release paperwork, gate hours and who's paying for what.
When do you need a secondary tow in Dallas?
You need a secondary tow whenever a car can't be driven and isn't where you want it. After an accident, the vehicle often goes to the nearest storage yard first, because getting it off the highway quickly matters more than where it lands.
After an accident
Crash-damaged cars usually leave the scene with whichever tow truck police or the driver calls. If you and your insurer later choose a different body shop, the car needs a second move. Our guide on what happens to your car after an accident in Dallas explains the first steps, and our comparison of police impound vs. accident tows covers how the two differ.
After a private property tow
If your car was towed from a parking lot, it goes to a vehicle storage facility. Once you've released it, you may not be able to drive it away, for example if the battery died, a tire went flat, or there's damage. A secondary tow takes it home or to a shop.
When a repair shop can't do the job
Sometimes a shop inspects the car and can't fix it, can't get parts, or quotes more than you'll pay. Moving it to another shop or a dealership takes another tow.
How do you get your car released from a Texas storage facility?
Before any tow truck can pick up your car from a vehicle storage facility, the facility has to release it. The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) lists three things you must do to recover a car from a VSF:
- Show photo ID. A state driver's license or ID card, a federal photo ID, or a photo ID issued by a foreign government.
- Prove you own the car or may use it. Examples include your title, an insurance card naming you as an insured for the car, a current lease or rental agreement, or a notarized power of attorney signed by the owner.
- Pay the towing and storage fees.
TDLR also notes that you can access the car at the storage facility to get ownership documents or recover personal property without paying a fee. That's useful if your title or insurance card is in the glove box.
If you can't go to the lot yourself, call the facility first and ask exactly what it needs. TDLR's list of acceptable ownership proof includes a notarized power of attorney signed by the owner.
How fast should you move your car out of storage?
Sooner is usually cheaper. Storage facilities charge a daily fee, and TDLR says the fee can generally be charged for any part of a day (with limits for stays under 12 hours), and days begin and end at midnight.
Fee limits and when they apply can change, so check them before you go. Our breakdown of Texas towing storage fees explains what's allowed and what isn't.
Also check the facility's release hours. Under TDLR's consumer guidance, a VSF that accepts cars 24 hours a day must let you claim your car 24 hours a day, within one hour of your request. Facilities that don't accept cars around the clock have set release hours, so plan the pickup around them.
What should you have ready before calling for a secondary tow?
A few details make the pickup quick and the quote accurate. Have these ready when you call:
- Pickup location: the facility or shop name and address
- Destination: where the car is going, plus that location's hours for drop-offs
- Vehicle details: year, make and model, and whether it rolls, steers and brakes
- Release status: whether the car is already released and fees are paid
- Special needs: low clearance, all-wheel drive, heavy damage or a luxury vehicle
If the car is badly damaged or low to the ground, mention it. Some vehicles should only move on a flatbed. Our guide to flatbed vs. wheel-lift towing explains why.
How does secondary towing with Texas Tows work?
The process is straightforward. Here's how a secondary tow with Texas Tows works:
- Call (817) 512-1024 and tell us the current location, the destination and any special requirements.
- Get a clear quote based on distance and vehicle type.
- We dispatch a truck and coordinate the pickup with the lot or shop.
- Your vehicle is loaded and transported to its new destination.
- Delivery is confirmed and you pay the agreed price.
We pick up from impound lots, repair shops, storage facilities and anywhere else your vehicle is sitting. We work with impound lots and repair shops regularly, so we know how to handle these pickups efficiently. If the move calls for it, our flatbed towing is ready.
Texas Tows Inc. is licensed and insured (TDLR #0654316VSF) and answers calls 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We serve Dallas and the surrounding area, including the Dallas neighborhoods on our service area page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a tow company pick up my car from an impound lot for me?
Usually the vehicle has to be released first. That means someone with photo ID and proof of ownership or permission pays the fees. Once the car is released, a tow truck can pick it up. Call the facility to ask how it handles third-party pickups.
How much does a secondary tow cost in Dallas?
The price depends mostly on distance and vehicle type. Texas Tows gives a clear quote before dispatch. Our Dallas towing cost guide explains the main factors.
Will my insurance pay for a secondary tow?
It depends on your policy and the claim. Some policies cover towing to a repair shop after a covered accident. Ask your adjuster before you schedule, and keep your receipt. Our guide to filing an insurance claim after being towed walks through the process.
What if my car sits in storage and I don't pick it up?
Fees keep building, and the facility can eventually take legal steps to dispose of it. See what happens if you never claim a towed car in Texas.
Can you tow my car from one repair shop to another?
Yes. Shop-to-shop and shop-to-dealership moves are common secondary tows. Let us know the hours at both locations so the pickup and drop-off line up.
Need Your Car Moved? Call Texas Tows 24/7
Whether your car is at an impound lot, a storage yard or a repair shop, we can get it where it needs to go. Call (817) 512-1024 any time, or use the Request Service form on our contact page.
