Your car was already towed once — maybe after an accident on I-35, a parking violation near Uptown, or a breakdown that left it at a shop you don't trust. Now you need to move it again. That second move has a name: secondary towing, and it works a little differently than the emergency tow that brought you to a stop.
At Texas Tows Inc., we handle secondary tows across Dallas-Fort Worth every day — from impound releases in South Dallas to shop-to-shop transfers in Plano. Here's what you need to know before you make that call.
What Is Secondary Towing?
Secondary towing (also called a secondary transport or vehicle relocation) is any tow that moves a vehicle that isn't currently being driven — and that wasn't just disabled on the road. In plain terms, it's towing a car that's already sitting somewhere: a lot, a garage, a repair facility, or a storage yard.
The vehicle doesn't have to be broken down. It just needs to get from Point A to Point B, and it can't get there under its own power.
Common scenarios include:
- Retrieving a car from an impound or non-consent tow lot
- Moving a car from a body shop to a mechanical shop (or vice versa)
- Transporting a vehicle from storage to a new home or address
- Relocating a car left at an accident scene once authorities have cleared it
- Pulling a vehicle out of underground or tight-clearance parking in structures like those near the Dallas Arts District or Park Cities
How Secondary Towing Differs from Emergency Towing
Emergency roadside towing is reactive — something goes wrong, you call, we dispatch immediately and get you off a dangerous road. Secondary towing is typically planned (though not always). That distinction affects a few things:
- Scheduling: Secondary tows can often be booked in advance, letting us send the right equipment for your specific vehicle type. Emergency tows require the nearest available unit.
- Vehicle condition: In a secondary tow, the vehicle is stationary and accessible. Our TDLR-licensed operators (license #0654316VSF) have time to assess the situation before hooking up — important for lowered cars, AWD vehicles, or anything with front-end damage.
- Destination flexibility: You choose where the vehicle goes. In a non-consent tow (the kind that happens when you're parked illegally), the tower decides the destination. Secondary towing puts that choice back in your hands.
When Do You Need Secondary Towing in Dallas?
After a Non-Consent or Impound Tow
Dallas sees thousands of non-consent tows every year — vehicles ticketed on private property, in no-parking zones, or blocking driveways from Mockingbird Lane to the Design District. Once you pay the impound fee and retrieve your car from the lot, you may still need to get it to a repair shop. If it isn't drivable, that's a secondary tow.
Under the Texas Transportation Code (Chapter 2308), you have the right to request towing from a permitted carrier of your choice once you've paid the impound release fee. Don't let the lot pressure you into using their in-house transport at an inflated rate — you can call Texas Tows at (817) 512-1024 and we'll pick it up.
Shop-to-Shop Transfers
You brought your car to one shop, got a quote you didn't like, and want a second opinion. Or the body shop finished their work but the engine still needs attention somewhere else. These shop-to-shop moves are one of the most common secondary tow requests we handle in Dallas.
Our fleet of flatbed trucks is the right tool here — especially for vehicles with front-end damage, vehicles that don't roll freely, or anything low-clearance that a wheel-lift truck would scrape getting out of a crowded lot.
Tight Parking Structures and Underground Garages
Dallas's growth has brought a lot of high-rise development, and with it, a lot of underground and multi-level parking structures. When a vehicle breaks down inside one — or simply can't be moved out by the driver — standard tow trucks often can't fit.
Texas Tows has been handling these situations since 2015. We assess clearance, use the right low-profile equipment when needed, and coordinate with building management to get your vehicle out without damaging the structure or the car. Our stuck-in-garage towing service covers parking facilities across the DFW Metroplex, including high-density areas like downtown Dallas, Uptown, and the Greenville Avenue corridor.
Post-Accident Relocation
After a serious accident on a highway like I-30 or US-75, police and emergency responders may clear the scene before you've decided where to send the vehicle. It could sit at a police-designated storage lot or an independent facility — sometimes racking up daily storage fees.
A secondary tow gets it out of that lot and to your preferred collision center or insurance-approved repair facility. The sooner you act, the fewer storage days you pay for. Texas Tows can often dispatch same-day for post-accident relocations across Dallas County and Tarrant County.
What to Tell Us When You Call
To get you the right equipment and the fastest dispatch, have this information ready when you call (817) 512-1024:
- Current location of the vehicle — street address, lot name, or parking structure name and level if applicable
- Destination address — the repair shop, storage location, or home address you want it delivered to
- Vehicle year, make, model, and drivetrain — AWD and 4WD vehicles, EVs, and lowered cars require specific loading procedures
- Current vehicle condition — does it roll freely? Are the brakes functional? Any damage to the undercarriage?
- Any access restrictions — gate codes, height restrictions, or hours when the lot is accessible
Secondary Towing vs. Vehicle Transport: What's the Difference?
You may also hear the term vehicle transport — typically used for longer-distance moves, often on an enclosed carrier. Secondary towing is usually local (within the DFW area) and uses the same flatbed trucks we use for emergency towing. If you're moving a vehicle from Dallas to Houston or out of state, that's a different service. For local secondary tows anywhere in Dallas or surrounding areas, our standard fleet handles it.
Check our vehicle transport page if you need a longer-haul move.
How Secondary Towing Is Priced in Texas
Texas regulates towing rates through TDLR (Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation). Non-consent tows have maximum rate caps set by local municipalities; consent tows (like secondary tows you arrange yourself) are market-rate but must still be disclosed upfront.
We'll give you a clear rate before we hook up — no surprise fees at drop-off. The rate depends on distance, vehicle size, and any specialized equipment required (like low-profile skates for tight garages). Call us for a quote specific to your situation.
Get Your Vehicle Moved — We're Available 24/7
Whether your car is sitting in an impound lot in South Dallas, a parking garage in Uptown, or a body shop in Garland, Texas Tows can move it. Our TDLR-licensed operators have handled secondary tows across Dallas-Fort Worth since 2015, and our flatbed fleet is equipped for everything from standard sedans to lowered sports cars and electric vehicles.
Call (817) 512-1024 anytime — day or night — or visit our secondary towing service page for more information. You can also learn about your rights during a tow on our roadside assistance page.
