If you are wondering what the towing laws are in Pennsylvania, the rules depend on why your vehicle is being towed, where it is parked, and whether the tow involves an accident, private property, or law enforcement. Pennsylvania law regulates vehicle removal, private-property towing, and vehicle recovery, while local municipalities may have additional requirements.
Understanding these rules can help if you believe your vehicle was improperly towed or you received an unexpected towing or storage bill.
When Can a Vehicle Be Towed in Pennsylvania?
A vehicle may be legally towed when it is:
- Illegally parked
- Blocking traffic or creating a safety hazard
- Parked on private property in violation of posted restrictions
- Abandoned under applicable law
- Involved in an accident
- Ordered removed by law enforcement
- Parked where towing is authorized by local ordinance
For private property, Pennsylvania law generally restricts leaving an unattended vehicle without permission from the property owner or person controlling the property, subject to certain exceptions.
What Are the Rules for Private-Property Towing?
Private-property towing is a common concern for Pennsylvania drivers.
Under Pennsylvania’s Vehicle Code, vehicles can be removed from certain private property when applicable legal requirements are met. Private parking lots generally need appropriate signs informing drivers about parking restrictions before certain towing provisions apply.
A property owner cannot necessarily have a vehicle towed simply because they dislike where it is parked. Applicable laws, posted restrictions, and local ordinances all matter.
Can Your Car Be Towed From a Private Parking Lot?
Yes, but the circumstances must meet applicable requirements.
Drivers should look for signs identifying:
- Parking restrictions
- Whether unauthorized vehicles may be towed
- Property ownership or management information
- Contact information
- Any required local notices
If you believe your vehicle was improperly towed, photograph the signs, parking area, and location where your vehicle was parked.
What Happens After an Accident?
Accident-related towing can involve different procedures from ordinary private-property towing.
When a vehicle is involved in a crash, law enforcement may arrange for towing if the vehicle is disabled, creates a hazard, or needs to be removed from the roadway. Pennsylvania law also contains procedures for police-directed towing and vehicle recovery.
Some municipalities use a rotational towing system, where qualified towing companies take turns responding to police-authorized calls.
Can a Towing Company Choose Your Repair Shop?
Towing and vehicle repair are separate matters. A towing company may transport your vehicle to an authorized location, but that does not automatically mean you must authorize repairs or extended storage with that company.
Pennsylvania’s 2026 Act 46 adds restrictions concerning accident-scene towing, including provisions addressing solicitation and documents authorizing repair or storage exceeding 24 hours.
However, Act 46 was enacted July 20, 2026, and its new Section 7332 has an effective date 150 days after enactment. Therefore, these new requirements are not all in effect as of September 4, 2026.
Are Towing Fees Regulated in Pennsylvania?
There is no single statewide price covering every ordinary tow. Towing fees can depend on the type of tow and the local jurisdiction.
Municipalities may establish rates for certain government- or police-related towing situations. Pennsylvania law also addresses storage charges in certain private-property towing circumstances.
If you receive a towing bill, check the municipality where the vehicle was towed and request an itemized breakdown of the charges.
Can a Towing Company Charge Storage Fees?
Yes, storage fees may apply when a vehicle is taken to a towing or storage facility. The amount and applicable rules depend on the circumstances.
Ask the towing company:
- What is the daily storage fee?
- When did storage charges begin?
- Are there administrative fees?
- Are there additional recovery charges?
- What payment methods are accepted?
- When can the vehicle be collected?
An itemized bill can help you understand exactly what you are being charged for.
What Rights Do Vehicle Owners Have?
Depending on the type of tow, owners may need to provide identification, proof of ownership or authorization, valid registration, insurance information, and payment of applicable charges to recover a vehicle.
For certain police-directed towing situations, Pennsylvania law provides procedures for recovering vehicles and addressing towing, storage, fines, and related costs.
What Is Pennsylvania’s New 2026 Towing Law?
Pennsylvania enacted Act 46 of 2026, which adds Section 7332 to Title 18 concerning unlawful towing and towing-storage-facility practices.
Once effective, the provisions include requirements involving:
- Maintaining a physical business address
- Proper tow-truck registration
- Displaying the company’s name, address, and telephone number
- Posting towing and storage fees
- Providing written itemized charges
- Providing information following certain accident-related tows
- Restricting unauthorized accident-scene solicitation
- Accepting specified payment methods
- Releasing vehicles during posted business hours when requirements are satisfied
- Prohibiting certain unreasonable retention and storage practices
Certain violations can result in fines of up to $750, while some towing-conduct or vehicle-retention violations can carry penalties of up to $2,500, with higher penalties for subsequent violations.
Because Section 7332 has a 150-day effective period, these requirements should not be treated as fully effective on September 4, 2026.
Can a Towing Company Refuse to Release Your Car?
Whether a towing company can continue holding your vehicle depends on the reason for the tow, outstanding charges, law-enforcement instructions, and applicable law.
For certain vehicle seizures, Pennsylvania law establishes conditions for recovery. Owners may need to provide valid documentation and pay applicable towing, storage, fines, or other costs.
If you believe a company is unlawfully refusing to release your vehicle, document the situation and contact the appropriate local authority or Pennsylvania consumer-protection officials.
What Should You Do If You Think Your Car Was Wrongfully Towed?
If you believe your vehicle was illegally towed, take these steps:
Find Out Where the Vehicle Was Taken
Contact the police department, property owner, or towing company to locate your vehicle.
Request an Itemized Bill
Ask for all towing, storage, administrative, and recovery charges.
Photograph the Location
Document parking signs, curbs, entrances, and the area where the vehicle was parked.
Check Local Rules
Your city, borough, township, or municipality may have additional towing requirements.
Keep Your Documentation
Save receipts, photographs, notices, correspondence, and payment records. If you cannot resolve the dispute, you can consider contacting the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Bureau of Consumer Protection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is towing legal without the owner’s permission in Pennsylvania?
Yes. Police-authorized towing, accident-related towing, and properly authorized private-property towing can occur without the owner’s prior consent.
Does Pennsylvania require towing signs on private property?
Certain private-parking towing situations require appropriate signs notifying drivers of parking restrictions. Exact requirements depend on the circumstances and applicable law.
Can a police officer order a car to be towed?
Yes. Law enforcement can arrange towing when authorized by law, including accidents, abandoned vehicles, traffic hazards, and other legal violations.
Can I dispute a towing charge in Pennsylvania?
Yes. Request an itemized bill and documentation supporting the tow. If the issue cannot be resolved, contact the appropriate local authority or Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Bureau of Consumer Protection.
Conclusion
Understanding Pennsylvania towing laws can help you protect your vehicle and avoid unnecessary disputes. Requirements can vary depending on whether your vehicle was towed from private property, involved in an accident, removed by police, or handled under a local ordinance.
If your vehicle is towed, determine why it was removed, identify who authorized the tow, request documentation and an itemized bill, and check the applicable local requirements. Also keep in mind that Pennsylvania’s Act 46 of 2026 introduces additional towing and storage requirements, but its new Section 7332 is subject to a 150-day effective period.
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