Getting a rental car towed in Dallas is a stressful situation made more complicated by the three-way relationship between you, the rental company, and the towing operator. You're responsible for the vehicle but you don't own it — which creates questions about liability, cost, and what steps you're required to take. Our TDLR-licensed team at Texas Tows Inc. has assisted thousands of DFW drivers since 2015, including rental car situations, and this guide walks you through exactly what happens and what to do.
Whether your rental was impounded after an accident on I-30 near downtown Dallas, towed from a private lot in Uptown, or broke down on the Sam Rayburn Tollway in Plano, the steps and your legal rights under Texas law are the same.
What to Do Immediately When a Rental Car Is Towed in Dallas
The first 30–60 minutes after a rental car tow in Dallas are important. Here's the immediate sequence:
- Call the rental company's 24/7 roadside line. Every major rental agency — Enterprise, Hertz, Avis, National, Budget, and others — has a 24-hour emergency line printed in your rental agreement and often on a card in the glove box. Report the situation immediately. Delay can complicate your liability position.
- Locate the vehicle. If it was a private-property non-consent tow, the Dallas towing company is required by Texas law to file the tow with the state within two hours (Texas Occ. Code § 2308.256). The impound location must be disclosed. We cover how to find it in the next section.
- Document everything. Photograph the location where the vehicle was parked before it was towed (if possible), any signage, and any damage to the vehicle when you recover it. This protects you in disputes with the rental company or the tow operator.
- If the tow was accident-related, call 911 to report the accident if you haven't already, and do not move the vehicle before police arrive if the scene is active. If it's already been towed, get the police report number.
- If it was a breakdown, call (817) 512-1024 for Texas Tows. We can assist with roadside service — jump-start, flat tire, or fuel delivery — or tow the rental to an authorized repair facility or dealership your rental company specifies.
How to Find Your Towed Rental Car in Dallas
Dallas has multiple impound lot operators, and the process for locating a towed vehicle depends on why it was towed:
- Police or city-ordered tow (public road): Call the Dallas Police Department non-emergency line at 214-671-4268 or check the Dallas City tow lookup at the City of Dallas website. You'll need the vehicle year, make, model, and license plate number (which is on your rental agreement).
- Private property non-consent tow (parking lot, apartment, private business): Under Texas Occ. Code § 2308.256, the tow operator must notify the local law enforcement agency within two hours and must provide the vehicle owner (or authorized user) with the storage facility address and contact information. Call the tow company if you know it, or call Dallas PD to get the storage location on file.
- Accident tow: Dallas Police will typically have a record of the tow company used and the destination storage yard. Get the accident report number and call Dallas PD records.
- Rental company-initiated tow: If the rental company arranged the tow due to a breakdown, they'll direct you to the recovery location and coordinate the next steps, including a replacement vehicle if your agreement includes that coverage.
If your rental broke down anywhere in the DFW metro — on I-635 in Irving, on US-75 near Plano, on I-20 through Arlington, or on any surface street — Texas Tows can respond fast and tow the vehicle to wherever the rental company directs. Call (817) 512-1024 and we'll dispatch immediately.
Who Pays the Towing and Storage Fees?
This is the most common question — and the answer depends on why the rental was towed and what your rental agreement says.
Private Property Non-Consent Tow (You Parked Illegally)
If you parked in a prohibited area and the property owner had your rental towed, you are typically responsible for the towing and storage fees. These are paid directly to the tow operator's storage facility before the vehicle is released. Dallas non-consent tow rates are regulated under Texas Occ. Code § 2308 — tow operators cannot charge more than the TDLR-approved schedule.
Some renters mistakenly believe the rental company absorbs non-consent tow fees. Most rental agreements explicitly state that the renter is responsible for all fines, towing charges, and storage fees resulting from improper parking or violations while the vehicle is in their possession.
Accident Tow
If your rental was towed after an accident, liability for the tow fee typically goes to whoever is at fault for the accident. If you were at fault, your rental agreement's collision damage waiver (CDW) or your personal auto insurance may cover the towing cost. If the other driver was at fault, their liability insurance should cover it. See our detailed guide on accident towing and insurance claims in Dallas for the full process.
The rental company may also add an administrative fee for processing an accident — this is separate from the towing cost and is disclosed in most rental agreements. Check your agreement before assuming the tow fee is the only expense.
Breakdown Tow
If the rental broke down through no fault of your own (mechanical failure), most rental agreements entitle you to a free tow to an authorized repair facility as part of their roadside assistance program. Call the rental company first — they may have a contracted tow provider they prefer. If they don't respond quickly, or if you need immediate assistance in a dangerous location, call us at (817) 512-1024 and we'll tow the vehicle to the address the rental company specifies. Keep your receipts for reimbursement.
If the Rental Was Towed After an Accident in Dallas
A rental car tow after a DFW accident involves more moving parts than a standard tow situation. Here's the sequence:
- Call 911 if there are injuries or significant property damage. Dallas Police will respond and complete a crash report (CR-3 form), which you'll need for insurance purposes.
- Notify the rental company immediately. Most rental agreements require you to report accidents within 24 hours — some within hours. Failure to notify promptly can affect your coverage under the CDW.
- Don't authorize a tow you haven't agreed to. After an accident on a Dallas highway like I-35E or I-30, Dallas Police may call a rotation tow (a non-consent tow from their approved list). You have the right to choose your own tow company if the vehicle is movable and not creating a hazard. We recommend calling Texas Tows at (817) 512-1024 first if you're not in immediate danger — rotation tow storage fees can be significantly higher.
- Get the CR-3 report number before leaving the scene and document the tow company name, driver, and storage yard address.
- Follow the rental company's instructions on where to send the vehicle — most rental companies want their vehicles sent to an authorized body shop, not a random storage yard. Coordinate the delivery address with their roadside team.
Our TDLR-licensed operators are experienced with accident scenes across the Dallas metro — from the Mixmaster interchange downtown to I-635 in Irving, from SH-114 in Irving to I-20 in Arlington. We can tow a damaged rental vehicle safely to any location the rental company specifies.
If the Rental Broke Down and Was Towed
A rental car breakdown in Dallas — a dead battery in a Plano parking lot, a flat tire on the Dallas North Tollway, a transmission issue on I-30 near Fort Worth, or an overheated engine on US-75 during the July heat — follows a more straightforward process.
Call the rental company's roadside assistance line first. If the wait time is unacceptable or your location is unsafe, call Texas Tows at (817) 512-1024 for immediate dispatch. We cover the entire DFW metro, including Dallas, Fort Worth, Irving, Arlington, Plano, Garland, and surrounding communities. Our roadside assistance services include jump-starts, flat tire changes, fuel delivery, and winch-outs — many breakdown situations can be resolved without a tow.
If a tow is necessary, we'll transport the vehicle to the authorized repair facility or rental yard the rental company specifies. Keep receipts for any out-of-pocket towing costs — if the breakdown was a mechanical failure, most rental companies will reimburse reasonable towing expenses.
Your Rights Under Texas Non-Consent Tow Law
Texas Occupations Code Chapter 2308 gives you specific rights as the person in lawful possession of a towed vehicle — including a rental car. Key rights to know:
- Right to written fee disclosure before release: The tow company must provide a written itemized statement of all charges before releasing the vehicle. You cannot be charged fees not disclosed in writing.
- Right to a certificate of inventory: You're entitled to a certificate of the vehicle's contents and condition at the time of impound.
- Right to retrieve personal property: You can retrieve personal belongings from the vehicle without paying towing or storage fees, during normal business hours.
- Right to dispute excessive charges: TDLR regulates tow rates in Texas. If you believe you were charged above the approved rate schedule, you can file a complaint with TDLR at tdlr.texas.gov.
- Right to choose your own tow company (accident scenes): If your vehicle is movable after an accident and law enforcement hasn't ordered a specific tow, you have the right to call the tow company of your choice. You do not have to use the rotation tow assigned by police.
- Notification rights: Within two hours of a non-consent tow, the tow operator must notify the law enforcement agency with jurisdiction — which creates a record you can access.
These rights apply to rental cars exactly as they apply to owned vehicles, because you are the authorized user in lawful possession of the vehicle at the time of the tow.
What Texas Tows Does When You Call for Rental Car Assistance
When you call Texas Tows for help with a rental car in DFW, here's what you can expect:
- Fast dispatch across the metro: Our drivers cover Dallas, Fort Worth, Irving, Arlington, Plano, Garland, Mesquite, Grand Prairie, and the surrounding DFW region. We respond to rental car breakdowns on any major corridor — I-35E, I-30, I-635, US-75, SH-114, the Dallas North Tollway, and beyond.
- Flatbed for rental vehicles: Most modern rental sedans, SUVs, and crossovers are AWD or front-wheel-drive vehicles that require flatbed transport. We carry flatbed equipment to move rental cars without drivetrain risk. See our towing service page for equipment details.
- Coordination with rental companies: We're experienced working with rental company dispatch teams and can tow a vehicle to the address their roadside program specifies — a dealership, authorized body shop, or rental lot.
- TDLR licensing and transparent pricing: We quote before we arrive, and that quote is what you pay. Our TDLR licensing means you get documentation of every charge — important if you're submitting for reimbursement from the rental company or your insurer.
- 24/7 availability: Rental car breakdowns and accidents don't happen on business hours. We're available any time, day or night.
FAQs: Rental Car Towing in Dallas
Do I have to use the rental company's tow service when my rental breaks down in Dallas?
No — you can call any licensed tow company in Texas. The rental company has a preferred provider for their roadside program, but you're not legally required to use it. If you call an outside tow company for a mechanical breakdown, keep your receipts and contact the rental company immediately to coordinate where to send the vehicle. Many rental companies will reimburse reasonable towing costs for covered mechanical failures.
My rental car was towed from a parking lot in Dallas — who pays the impound fee?
In a private property non-consent tow (parking lot tow), the person in possession of the vehicle at the time of the tow is responsible for the towing and storage fees — that's you as the renter. Most rental agreements explicitly state that the renter bears responsibility for all fines, towing fees, and storage costs incurred during the rental period. Pay the impound lot directly to recover the vehicle, then check with your credit card issuer — some travel cards include coverage for these situations.
Will the rental company penalize me if a car is towed while in my possession?
Rental companies typically add an administrative processing fee on top of any tow or accident costs — this is disclosed in the rental agreement. For accident-related tows, the CDW (Collision Damage Waiver) may cover the tow but the administrative fee is often still charged. For parking violations, the administrative fee is separate from the impound cost. Always notify the rental company promptly — delay can affect your coverage and add penalties.
Can I get my belongings from a towed rental car before paying the storage fee?
Yes. Under Texas Occ. Code § 2308, you have the right to retrieve personal property from a towed vehicle during normal business hours without paying the tow or storage fees. The tow operator must allow access and cannot hold your personal belongings hostage to the storage fee. Bring valid ID and your rental agreement as proof of authorized possession.
How do I find where my towed rental car is in Dallas?
For a police or city-ordered tow, call the Dallas Police Department non-emergency line at 214-671-4268 with the vehicle plate number from your rental agreement. For a private property tow, the tow operator is required by Texas law to file the tow with local law enforcement within two hours — call Dallas PD or check their online tow lookup. If the rental company arranged the tow, they will have the storage location on file.
Does Texas Tows work with rental cars, or only personal vehicles?
Texas Tows assists with all vehicle types — personal vehicles, rental cars, fleet vehicles, and commercial units. If your rental breaks down anywhere in the DFW metro, we can dispatch immediately, tow it to the location the rental company specifies, and provide documentation for your reimbursement request. Call us 24/7 at (817) 512-1024.
Call Texas Tows for Rental Car Assistance in Dallas — 24/7
Whether your rental car broke down on US-75 in Dallas, got towed from an Uptown parking lot, or was involved in an accident on I-30 near Fort Worth — Texas Tows Inc. is the call to make. We're TDLR-licensed, locally operated, and have served DFW drivers since 2015.
Call (817) 512-1024 any time, day or night. We'll dispatch immediately.
For more on what to do after a tow or accident, see our towing services page or our guide on roadside assistance throughout DFW.
