Towing Laws in Kansas (2026): Rules Every Driver Should Know

Getting your car towed is stressful. Getting hit with a surprise bill is worse. Kansas has a mix of state laws and local rules that every driver should understand before it happens to them.

This guide breaks down everything. We cover when towing is legal, what fees you can be charged, your rights as a vehicle owner, and the rules if you are towing a trailer yourself.

What Are Kansas Towing Laws?

Towing laws in Kansas cover two very different situations. The first is when your car gets towed by a company. The second is when you are towing something yourself, like a trailer or boat.

Both situations have rules. Breaking them can cost you money or even result in a fine. Knowing the rules ahead of time can save you a lot of trouble.

When Can Your Car Be Towed in Kansas?

Okay, this is important. Not every tow is legal. Kansas law only allows towing in specific situations.

Your car can be towed if it is illegally parked. It can also be towed if it is blocking traffic. Law enforcement can order a tow if you are arrested or if your car is considered abandoned.

A car left unattended on a public highway for more than 48 hours can legally be towed. This is true whether it is broken down or just left there. If it is causing a traffic hazard, it can be towed even sooner.

Private property is a little different. A property owner can request a tow if your car is parked on their land without permission. This counts as criminal trespass under Kansas law (KSA 8-1102). The tow can happen right away. There is no 48-hour waiting period in that case.

Notice Rules After a Tow

Wondering how you find out where your car went? Kansas has rules for that.

If a towing company knows who owns the vehicle, they must send written notice within 15 days. That notice has to include the company name, location, fees, and instructions for getting the car back.

For tows from public property, the company must notify local police within 30 minutes. This helps you locate your car quickly. If a company fails to give proper notice, they can face fines and may be required to release the vehicle without charging you.

Honestly, most people do not know about this rule. It is one of the more protective parts of Kansas law.

Private Property Towing Rules

Here is where things get a little more complicated. Private property towing has its own set of rules in Kansas.

Under Kansas statute (KSA 8-1103), a city ordinance or county resolution can authorize private property towing. If a city does allow it, the local law must spell out the maximum fees a company can charge. It must also protect your right to access personal items in your vehicle for 48 hours after the tow.

The towing company must also report the location of your vehicle to local law enforcement within two hours of the tow. This is a requirement. Not optional.

Here is a key rule: a towing company cannot tow your vehicle to a location outside of Kansas without your consent. They need either your approval, a law enforcement officer’s approval, or insurance company authorization to cross state lines with your car.

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Kansas Towing Fees: What They Can Charge You

This is probably the part you care most about. Kansas state law does not set one single statewide cap on towing fees. Instead, cities and counties set their own maximum rates.

This means fees can vary a lot depending on where you are in Kansas. Some areas have strong protections. Others have very little regulation in place.

What the law does require is that storage fees must be reasonable and clearly disclosed. Administrative fees for paperwork are allowed, but they must be documented. You should always ask for an itemized receipt when you pick up your vehicle.

If you think you were overcharged, you have options. You can file a complaint with your local consumer protection agency. You can also take the matter to small claims court.

Abandoned Vehicles and What Happens Next

Stay with me here. This part matters if your car has been sitting somewhere for a while.

If your car is impounded and you do not claim it within 30 days, the law considers it abandoned. At that point, the public agency holding the car will try to locate the registered owner through the state’s division of vehicles. They are required to mail a notice giving you 15 days to claim it.

If you still do not claim it, a public notice gets published in a local newspaper. You then have 10 days from the second publication to act before the car is sold at public auction.

Do not let it get to that point. Storage fees keep adding up every day. The sooner you act, the less you pay.

Penalties for Illegal Towing in Kansas

So what happens if a towing company breaks the rules? Glad you asked.

Companies that tow illegally can face fines up to $1,000 per incident. Repeat violations can lead to license suspension. The company can also lose its towing permits entirely for ongoing illegal behavior.

On top of that, you can sue in civil court. If your vehicle was towed unlawfully, you may be able to recover the towing fees you paid. In some cases, you might even receive additional compensation for damages.

Think of it like a traffic ticket for the towing company. But more serious and more expensive.

Your Rights When Your Car Gets Towed

Most people do not realize how many rights they actually have. Let me break it down.

You have the right to know where your car is. You have the right to get your personal belongings out of the vehicle, even if you cannot pay the fees yet. You have the right to a detailed receipt showing every charge. And you have the right to dispute any fees you think are unreasonable.

When you go to pick up your vehicle, bring your ID and proof of ownership. A registration card or title works. Pay the required fees and always get that receipt.

You do not have to be present in person in some cases. Written authorization with a copy of your ID may be enough for someone else to retrieve your car for you, depending on local rules.

Trailer Towing Laws in Kansas

Now let us switch gears. If you are the one doing the towing, Kansas has rules for you too.

You’re gonna want to pay attention here. Getting these wrong can mean a roadside stop and a fine you did not expect.

Trailer Registration Requirements

Kansas law exempts trailers from registration if the total weight of the trailer and its load is 2,000 pounds or less. Go over that, and you need to register.

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Farm trailers get a little more flexibility. They do not need registration unless the load exceeds 6,000 pounds. Commercial trailers follow federal rules on top of state rules and often require additional licensing.

Size and Length Limits

Kansas sets clear limits on how big your trailer setup can be. The total length of your tow vehicle plus trailer cannot exceed 65 feet, measured from front bumper to rear bumper.

The maximum trailer width is 102 inches (about 8.5 feet). The maximum height for your trailer and load is 14 feet. If you are towing a house trailer, you cannot exceed 55 mph, even if the posted speed limit is higher.

Nobody wants to ride in the trailer, right? Well, it is also illegal. You cannot have passengers riding in or living in a trailer while it is being towed on a public road in Kansas.

Safety Chains and Hitch Rules

This one is non-negotiable. Kansas law requires all trailers to have a safety hitch or chain of adequate strength.

The purpose is simple. If the main hitch fails, the safety chain keeps the trailer connected to your vehicle. You need to cross the chains under the trailer tongue so the tongue does not drag on the ground if it comes loose.

The connection between your tow vehicle and trailer must be strong enough to pull, stop, and hold the full weight being towed. It also must keep the trailer tracking straight behind you on flat ground.

If you are using a chain, rope, or cable instead of a rigid connection, Kansas law requires you to display a white flag or cloth at least 12 inches square on that connection to alert other drivers.

Brake Requirements for Trailers

Here is where things get interesting. Kansas law requires brakes on trailers with a gross weight of 3,000 pounds or more. These brakes must be operable from the towing vehicle.

If your trailer exceeds 15,000 pounds, it must have its own independent braking system. For commercial vehicles, Kansas requires brakes on all axles of the trailer being towed.

You can also tow two trailers in tandem in Kansas. But the first trailer needs an anti-sway device. The second trailer needs an active braking system. And the total length of the combination still cannot exceed 65 feet.

Lighting Requirements for Trailers

Pretty straightforward here. Your trailer must have working taillights and turn signals, visible from at least 500 feet away.

It must also have red reflectors on the rear and white reflectors on the sides. These are required for visibility at night or in bad weather. The rear license plate must be illuminated and visible from up to 50 feet away.

If your trailer is wider than 80 inches, you need additional clearance lamps on both the front and rear sides of the trailer. Trailers that block your vehicle’s rear lights must have their own full lighting setup.

Load Securement Rules

Yep, this one matters too. Kansas law prohibits driving any vehicle if it is loaded in a way that allows cargo to drop, shift, leak, or escape from the vehicle.

Everything on your trailer needs to be securely fastened. Loads must be stable and not shift during travel. Failure to secure your load can result in fines and puts every other driver on the road at risk.

Double Towing Rules

Kansas actually allows double towing under specific conditions. This is when you tow a second trailer behind the first one.

To do it legally, the first trailer must have an anti-sway device and the second must have an active braking system. The total length of the entire combination must stay under 65 feet. Get all three of these right, and you are good to go.

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How to Dispute an Illegal Tow in Kansas

So your car was towed and you think it was not legal. Here is what you do.

Start by contacting local law enforcement to get the location of your vehicle. Then gather any evidence you have, such as photos of where you were parked or signs in the area. Write down a timeline of what happened.

You can file a complaint with your city or county consumer protection office. You can also contact the Kansas Attorney General’s office. If the fees were excessive or the tow was unauthorized, small claims court is an option for amounts under the court’s limit.

Document everything. Take pictures when you pick up your car. Note the condition of the vehicle and any damage. Get an itemized receipt before you leave the lot.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a towing company tow my car from private property in Kansas without warning?

Yes, if a local city ordinance or county resolution allows it. A property owner can request an immediate tow if your car is parked on their land without permission.

How long does a towing company have to notify me after towing my car?

If the tow company knows who you are, they must send written notice within 15 days. For public property tows, they must notify police within 30 minutes.

Can Kansas towing companies charge whatever they want?

Not entirely. Cities and counties set maximum rates. At the state level, fees must be reasonable and clearly disclosed. Always ask for an itemized receipt and dispute charges you think are excessive.

What happens to my car if I do not claim it?

After 30 days, the car may be considered abandoned. You will receive mailed notice and have 15 days to respond. After that, the car can be sold at public auction.

Do I need brakes on my trailer in Kansas?

Yes, if your trailer weighs 3,000 pounds or more. Brakes must be controllable from the towing vehicle. Trailers over 15,000 pounds need their own braking system.

Can I tow two trailers at once in Kansas?

Yes, but only if the first trailer has an anti-sway device, the second has an active braking system, and the total length does not exceed 65 feet.

What is the maximum trailer length in Kansas?

The total length of your towing vehicle plus all trailers combined cannot exceed 65 feet. The trailer width cannot exceed 102 inches.

Final Thoughts

Kansas towing laws cover a lot of ground. Whether you are worried about your car being towed or you are the one pulling a trailer, knowing the rules protects you.

If your car gets towed, act quickly. Get your proof of ownership ready. Ask for an itemized receipt. Know that you have rights to your personal belongings. And if something feels wrong, you can dispute it.

If you are towing a trailer, check your equipment before you hit the road. Safety chains, brakes, lights, and load securement are not optional. They are the law.

When in doubt, check the Kansas Highway Patrol website or contact a local attorney. The rules exist to keep everyone safe, including you.