Towing Companies

Towing process policies and procedures

Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners has standards of service and consumer protection requirements regarding towing and wrecker companies in Hillsborough County.

Can’t find your vehicle?

First things first: look for a towing sign and call the number on the sign to see if your car was towed from private property.

If you can’t find a towing sign, contact the local law enforcement non-emergency line. They can also help determine whether your vehicle has been towed.

Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office Non-Emergency: (813) 247-8200
City of Tampa Police Non-Emergency: (813) 231-6130
City of Temple Terrace Police Non-Emergency: (813) 989-7110
City of Plant City Police Non-Emergency: (813) 757-9200

Need more information?
For a comprehensive list and additional useful information check out our What To Do If Your Car is Towed page.

Want to file a complaint?
Find information on how to file a complaint, as well as a link to an online form.

How to File a Complaint

Towing process - policies and procedures

Towing companies must follow proper policies and procedures before, during, and after the towing process.

Before the tow

Towing companies MUST follow these rules before the towing process begins:

Maintain business certificates, licenses, and permits, as per County ordinance
Have specific authorization from the property owner to tow your car via a signed authorization (this is known as a trespass tow)
Maintain signs with specific language, and in specific locations, as per County ordinance
Allow a vehicle owner to immediately remove personal property from their vehicle, at the scene of the tow or at the storage facility, during normal business hours regardless of whether payment has been made; additional fees may apply during non-business hours only

During the tow

Towing companies MUST follow these rules during the towing process:

Never tow a vehicle while a person or animal is occupying the vehicle
Release a vehicle to the owner or legally authorized person in control of the vehicle upon request, even if the vehicle is connected to a tow truck, and upon payment of a drop fee. The maximum allowable drop fee is half of the towing rate.
Store any vehicle that is trespass towed within a ten-mile radius from the point of removal

After the tow

Towing companies MUST follow these rules once the towing process is completed:

Notify law enforcement within 30 minutes of arrival to their storage facility
Monitor and answer telephones 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays; they must return a vehicle or vessel owner’s call within one hour
Accept an original or a copy of any of the following documents as evidence of a person's interest in a vehicle or vessel:

An electronic title
A paper title
A contract between a lender and the owner of the vehicle or vessel
A contract between a lessor and the lessee of the vehicle or vessel
Credentials establishing the person as an employee or contract agent of an insurance company along with documentation identifying the vehicle by the vehicle identification number (VIN) or vessel by the hull identification number.
Written agreement evidencing that the person is an agent of the vehicle or vessel owner or lienholder. NOTE: This agreement must be notarized if such agreement is presented for the purpose of releasing the vehicle or vessel.

Provide the exact tow charges at the time of the call plus any additional charges that may accrue
Provide the location to pay the fees to pick up the vehicle
Charge only a certain amount as per BOCC Resolution; all rates and associated fees must be prominently posted and clearly legible at the point of payment at the storage site
Provide a written bill before payment is processed that details the charges to date and any potential storage charges
Provide a legible, written receipt with charges when payment is complete
Accept payment for accrued charges in any form from at least two of the following lists:

Cash, cashier's check, money order, or traveler's check
Bank, debit, or credit card
Mobile payment service, digital wallet, or other electronic payment system

Allow the vehicle to be retrieved within one hour of the request
Allow a vehicle owner the right to inspect the vehicle before accepting its return. No release or waiver of any kind releasing liability may be required of a vehicle owner in order to receive a vehicle.
Send a notice via certified mail to the registered owner, the insurance company insuring the vehicle, and anyone claiming a lien against the vehicle’s title within seven (7) business days after the date of storage
Require no more than one form of current government-issued photo identification when payment is made or to verify identity

NOTE: If the vehicle owner believes the vehicle or vessel was wrongfully towed and/or has been overcharged for services rendered, they do not have to pay your bill to get the vehicle or vessel back right away. They can post a bond in the circuit court, payment to [name of towing service], in the amount of the final bill for services rendered, and the court will decide later who is right.

Things to Know Before You Trespass Tow

Regulatory compliance

Under the County’s ordinance, Code Enforcement Regulatory Compliance performs the following functions:

Receives and reviews all complaints of ordinance violations
The department may request additional information from the complainant for purposes of processing the complaint
Evaluates and investigates complaints received and takes action(s) deemed appropriate as provided for by the ordinance
The department may request additional information from the complainant for purposes of processing the complaint and/or investigate potential violations regardless of the absence of a written or verbal complaint
Makes periodic physical inspections of tow trucks to ascertain compliance with the provisions of the ordinance
Inspects the records of certificate holders and/or owners of tow trucks at their respective place of business during regular business hours
Enforces provisions of the ordinance
Provides written notice, with proof of delivery, of the suspension or revocation of certificates, permits, and public vehicle driver’s licenses, specifying the grounds for the suspension or revocation
Issues citations for violations of the ordinance

Regulatory Compliance does not give legal advice and cannot take legal action on behalf of the complainant. Any alleged violation reported to the county will result in an investigation with all records including the complaint representing a public record.

Vehicle license requirements

There are a number of specific requirements for licenses and the Hillsborough County Tax Collector is responsible for receiving, reviewing, and approving applications for business certificates, public vehicle driver’s licenses (PVDL), and vehicle permits. Questions or concerns about the licensing process can be addressed with the Tax Collector by calling (813) 635-5200.

Regulations

The majority of complaints received about towing companies involve vehicles that were towed from private property without the vehicle owner’s consent (also known as a trespass tow).

The Florida Legislature repealed the state law regulating towing and wrecker companies in Hillsborough County. The Public Transportation Commission (PTC), which previously regulated these companies, is now closed.

Ordinances and resolutions

Contact

For more information about companies offering towing and wrecking services, email regcomp@hcfl.gov or call (813) 272-7400 ext 36004.