Towing Laws in Tennessee (2026): Your Car, Your Rights

Most people find out about towing laws the hard way. They walk out to an empty parking spot. Their stomach drops. Their car is gone. Don’t let that be you.

Tennessee has some important rules that protect drivers. Knowing them could save you hundreds of dollars. It could even help you get your car back faster.

What Are Towing Laws?

Towing laws set the rules for when a vehicle can be towed. They cover who can authorize a tow, how much it can cost, and what your rights are after the fact.

Think of them like a rulebook for the towing industry. Without rules, towing companies could charge anything and tow anytime. Tennessee’s laws are designed to stop that from happening.

These laws apply to everyone. Drivers, property owners, landlords, and towing companies all have to follow them. Pretty straightforward, right?

When Can Your Car Be Towed in Tennessee?

Okay, this is important. There are specific situations where a tow is legal in Tennessee. Let’s walk through each one.

The 12-Hour Rule

Here’s the one most people don’t know about. Under Tennessee Law 55-16-111, a car that is just sitting somewhere cannot be towed right away. The law says your car must be observed as abandoned, immobile, or unattended for at least 12 hours before it can be towed without your permission.

So if your car broke down and you had to leave it overnight, a tow truck cannot legally take it immediately. They have to wait the full 12 hours first.

But here is the catch. That 12-hour waiting period goes away if the vehicle is creating a hazard, blocking access to public or private property, or parked illegally. If you are blocking a fire lane or parked in a no-parking zone, your car can be taken right away.

Police-Authorized Towing

Wondering when cops can tow your car? Here is the short list.

Police can tow and impound a vehicle if the car is thought to be stolen or unregistered. They can also tow it if it has been sitting unattended for more than 12 hours. Police may also tow vehicles involved in curbstoning, which is the illegal sale of cars on property not zoned for vehicle sales.

One important detail: if the car is on private property, police must gain permission from the property owner before proceeding. They cannot just tow it without that step.

Private Property Towing

This one surprises a lot of people. Private property owners have real power to tow your vehicle. But they also have limits.

A landlord may have an unauthorized vehicle towed from residential property upon giving ten days written notice posted on the vehicle. That means if your car is on a rental property without permission, you get at least a 10-day warning before it disappears.

But there is an exception. A landlord may immediately tow a vehicle without notice if the driver fails to comply with posted signage about traffic and parking restrictions, including traffic lanes, fire lanes, fire hydrants, and accessible parking areas.

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So if a sign says no parking and you park there anyway, your car is gone. No warning. Instantly.

Under Tennessee Law Code 55-8-160, a car can be towed from a parking lot if it fits the illegal parking criteria. A vehicle can also be towed if it is parked in a spot reserved for disabled parking without a proper permit.

Bottom line: always read the signs.

The MOTION Act: Tennessee’s Biggest Recent Towing Reform

Hold on, this part is important. Tennessee passed a major new law in 2024 that changed a lot of rules around towing and booting.

On July 1, 2024, Tennessee enacted the Modernization of Towing, Immobilization, and Oversight Normalization Act, a law that protects drivers from predatory booting and excessive towing or storage fees.

This law came after years of complaints. Predatory towing entails any incident in which a towing operator severely overcharges, illegally seizes assets, damages assets by use of improper equipment, or illegitimately withholds release of a truck, trailer, or cargo. Memphis was a known hotspot for these kinds of problems.

Key provisions include mandating self-releasing immobilization devices, prohibiting referral fees between property owners and towing companies, setting maximum fees for towing and storage, and establishing a process for handling abandoned or immobile vehicles.

This is a big deal. It means property owners cannot get a cut of the towing fee, which was a major driver of unfair tows.

Booting Rules in Tennessee

Booting means putting a clamp on your wheel so the car cannot move. Tennessee now has strict rules about when and how this can happen.

Vehicle booting is only legal in commercial parking lots where a licensed parking attendant wearing easily identifiable proof of employment is physically present and able to remove the boot within 45 minutes of being contacted.

So if you get booted and no attendant shows up within 45 minutes, that is a violation of the law. Keep a record of when you called.

Boot removal fees are capped at $75, and payments can be made with credit or debit cards. They cannot demand cash only. That is now illegal.

It is also illegal to boot any truck or trailer clearly identified as a commercial vehicle with a USDOT number or a commercial license plate anywhere in Tennessee. This was a direct response to truckers getting hit with illegal boots in Memphis.

Your Rights If Your Car Is Being Towed

Wait, it gets better. Tennessee law actually gives you a way to stop a tow in progress.

A tow truck operator must immediately release a motor vehicle that has begun to be towed but has not yet left the parking area if the motor vehicle owner arrives and pays a release fee. The maximum for that release fee is $100.

So if you run out and your car is on the hook but still in the lot, you can stop the tow. You pay $100 and you get your car back on the spot. That is way cheaper than a full impound situation.

Refusing to release the vehicle in that situation is a Class B misdemeanor and also a violation of the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act. The tow company faces real consequences for not following this rule.

After Your Car Is Towed: What Happens Next

Okay, let’s say the tow already happened. Your car is gone. Here is what you need to know.

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Within 15 minutes of towing a vehicle when the owner is not present, the towing company must notify local law enforcement of the vehicle’s VIN, registration information, license plate number, and description. A violation of this requirement is a Class A misdemeanor.

That means the tow company has to report your car almost immediately. If they do not, they have broken the law.

Tennessee law requires that vehicle owners be properly notified if their vehicle is towed, sold, or demolished by a towing company. You have the right to know.

Tennessee law limits towing businesses from charging storage fees for more than 21 days without the consent of the owner or lienholder, except when proper notice is given. Storage fees cannot just pile up forever without your knowledge.

Honestly, this is the part most people miss. You have rights after a tow too. Not just before one.

The New Motor Vehicle Portal

Here is something new coming soon. Tennessee is establishing a new statewide motor vehicle portal to be created by the Department of Revenue by October 2026, which will provide real-time public access to information about towed vehicles, including ownership details, towing location, and retrieval requirements.

This means if your car is towed, you will be able to look it up online instead of calling around in a panic. A big step forward for Tennessee drivers.

Storage Fees and Limits

Not sure what counts as too much? You’re not alone. This confuses a lot of people.

Tennessee law says storage fees must be competitive and reasonable. Storage rates begin 24 hours after the tow. You do not get charged for storage during the first 24 hours.

Towing or storage facilities cannot withhold removable personal items from a towed vehicle. If you left your laptop, your medications, or your work bag in the car, you have the right to retrieve those items even if you cannot yet pay to get the car back.

Pretty important to know. Do not let anyone tell you otherwise.

Personal Items and Special Protections

This one is easy to overlook. Towing or storage facilities cannot withhold removable personal items, and storage facility owners must send a final notice to the vehicle owner after 45 days of storage.

You also have options under the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act if a towing company violates the rules. Violations of the act can result in penalties under the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act, with potential civil actions and misdemeanor charges for serious infractions.

In other words, you can sue. Or file a complaint. The law is on your side if a towing company breaks the rules.

How to Get Your Car Back

So your car got towed. Here is what you do next. Step by step.

First, stay calm. Call your local police non-emergency number and tell them your car is gone. They can tell you if it was towed or stolen. Get the name of the tow company and the impound location.

Second, gather your documents. You will need your driver’s license, your car’s registration, and proof of insurance. Bring your ID. You need to prove the car is yours.

Third, go to the impound lot. To get your vehicle back, you will need to call your local impound lot to locate your car or call the local police department to find out where your vehicle was taken.

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Fourth, pay to release the car. The fees will include the tow charge and any storage charges. Ask for an itemized receipt. You have the right to know what you are paying for.

Fifth, if you believe the tow was illegal, note everything. Write down the time, location, towing company name, and any signage that was present. This helps if you need to file a complaint later.

How to Avoid Getting Towed

Honestly, the best strategy is simple. Read the signs. Every time.

Signs are the number one reason cars get towed legally. If a lot has rules posted, follow them. If a lease agreement has parking rules, stick to them.

Check for disabled parking markers. Parking in those spots without a permit is an immediate tow in Tennessee. No exceptions.

If your car breaks down, try to get it off the road quickly. If it has to stay put, contact a tow company yourself before the 12-hour window closes. That way you control where it goes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my landlord tow my car without any warning? Sometimes. If you violated posted parking rules, yes. If the car is just unauthorized, they must give you 10 days written notice first.

What is the maximum boot removal fee in Tennessee? The fee is capped at $75 under the MOTION Act that took effect July 1, 2024.

Can a tow company tow my car while I am standing there watching? If the car has not left the parking area yet, you can stop the tow by paying a release fee of no more than $100.

How long can a storage facility hold my car before they have to notify me? They must send notice within a few business days of taking custody. After 45 days of storage, they must send a final notice.

What do I do if I think the tow was illegal? Document everything and file a complaint with the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security. You may also have a claim under the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act.

Can a towing company refuse to let me get my belongings? No. Tennessee law says removable personal items cannot be withheld from you, even if you have not paid to retrieve the vehicle yet.

Final Thoughts

Now you know the basics of Tennessee towing law. The rules are actually more protective than most people think. You have real rights here.

The MOTION Act made things even better in 2024. Fee caps, booting limits, and consumer protections are all on your side. And a new statewide towing portal is coming in 2026 to make finding your car even easier.

When in doubt, take photos of posted signs, save receipts, and do not be afraid to ask questions at the impound lot. If something feels wrong, trust that instinct and look into your options.

Stay informed, stay aware, and always read the signs before you park.