Towing in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, explained
Towing is not one service. The right kind of tow depends on the vehicle, the distance and the reason the car cannot be driven. This page gives a quick overview of the main types and points to the detailed guides. It describes how towing generally works and does not offer towing itself.
Local towing
A local tow moves a vehicle a short distance, for example from a breakdown to a repair shop or from a parking lot to a home. Pricing is usually a hook-up fee plus a per-mile rate, with extra charges for after-hours calls or difficult access. The towing cost guide explains each line of a typical bill.
Long-distance towing
Moving a vehicle across the state or beyond is priced by the mile and almost always uses a flatbed. Questions worth asking include who carries insurance for the haul, whether the quote is itemized in writing and what happens if the truck itself breaks down. See long-distance towing from Dallas.
Accident and non-consent towing
After a crash, police may call a rotation tow to clear the road, and private property owners can authorize tows from their lots. These tows are regulated differently from a tow you order yourself. Towing after an accident and getting a towed car back explain the rules and your options.
Breakdown and recovery towing
A car that will not start, will not steer or has been driven into soft ground may need more than a plain hook-up. Winch-out recovery covers vehicles stuck off the pavement, and the freeway breakdown guide covers the first minutes on a busy road.
Flatbed or wheel-lift?
A flatbed carries the whole vehicle on a level platform. A wheel-lift raises two wheels and rolls on the other two. All-wheel-drive vehicles, electric vehicles, low sports cars, damaged vehicles and motorcycles generally need a flatbed, and wheel-lifting them can cause expensive damage. Read when you need a flatbed, towing an electric car and motorcycle towing for the details.
What to check before agreeing to any tow
- That the company holds a current Texas towing license, which you can look up on the state licensing website.
- The total price, how mileage is counted and whether after-hours or equipment surcharges apply.
- The type of truck being sent and whether it suits your vehicle.
- The destination address, written on the work order before anything is hooked up.
- Whether your insurance, membership or manufacturer program already covers the tow.
For help with the non-towing side of a breakdown, see the overview of roadside assistance, and for the warning signs of predatory operators, read how to avoid towing scams.