If your car has been towed in Virginia, you have rights. This guide covers Virginia towing laws, what a towing company can and cannot do, fee limits, and how to get your vehicle back fast.
Virginia Towing Regulations Overview
Towing in Virginia is governed by state law under Title 46.2 of the Virginia Code, along with local ordinances that each county and city can set. Together these rules control when a vehicle can be towed, what a company can charge, how it must notify you, and how you get your car back. Prince William County and the cities of Manassas and Manassas Park each adopt their own maximum fee schedules and notice requirements on top of the state framework, so the exact dollar limits and timelines vary by locality. The important thing to know is that a legitimate towing company operates inside these rules, and a predatory one bets that you don't know them.
Your Rights When Your Car Is Towed in Virginia
1. The right to notification
When your vehicle is towed, the towing company is generally required to report the tow to local law enforcement promptly and, for many involuntary tows, to notify the registered owner within the window your locality sets. That means you should be able to find your car quickly by calling the police non-emergency line or the towing company.
2. The right to fair, capped pricing
Localities set maximum amounts a company can charge for the tow, mileage, and daily storage. A company cannot lawfully invent extra fees or raise the price at the scene once your car is hooked. You are entitled to an itemized receipt showing exactly what you were charged for.
3. The right to retrieve personal property
You have the right to recover personal belongings from a towed or stored vehicle, typically during normal business hours, even if you are still arranging payment for the tow itself.
4. The right to inspect your vehicle
You can inspect your car for any damage before you pay and remove it, and note any concerns on the release paperwork.
Private Property (Trespass) Towing Rules
Most disputes come from trespass tows, when a car is removed from a private lot. In Virginia, before a vehicle can be towed from private property, the lot must post clear, visible signage in advance stating the parking rules, that violators will be towed, and how to reach the towing company. If there was no proper signage, the tow may not be valid. Property managers can see the full requirements in our parking lot towing rules guide.
Police-Ordered Tows vs. Private Property Tows
A police-ordered tow (after an accident, for a disabled vehicle in the roadway, or for law-enforcement reasons) follows a different process than a private-property tow ordered by a lot owner. Police tows usually route your vehicle to an approved storage facility, and you may need a police release to recover it. Private-property tows are authorized by the property owner or their agent and are the ones most tightly governed by signage and notice rules.
What to Do If You Believe You Were Illegally Towed
If you think a tow broke the rules, no posted signage, an inflated bill, or a refusal to give a receipt, take these steps:
- Request a fully itemized receipt and photograph the scene, including where signs were (or weren't) posted
- Compare the charges to your locality's published maximum fee schedule
- File a complaint with the local authority that regulates towing in your city or county
- For amounts within Virginia's small claims limit, you can pursue reimbursement in small claims court
Our predatory towing guide walks through this in more detail.
How to Avoid Getting Towed in Northern Virginia
- Read posted signs on private lots, even for a quick stop
- Never park in fire lanes, handicap spaces, or reserved spots
- Watch for permit-only residential zones near Old Town and the Metro
- Move for street cleaning and snow emergencies
More tips in our how to avoid getting towed guide.
Choosing a Reputable Towing Company
The simplest protection is calling a company you trust before you need one. A reputable towing company quotes a fair price on the phone before dispatch, is locally owned, carries proper licensing and insurance, and gives you a clear receipt. PWC Towing does all of that across Prince William County. Program our number now: 571-520-0898.