First: where is your car?
Virginia requires every tow-away sign at a private lot's entrances to list the local police non-emergency number. Call it: the tow operator has to notify the State Police or local police right away when it tows a car, and if it doesn't, it can only charge one day of storage.
What it can cost
Unless your city or county has set its own limits, Virginia Code section 46.2-1233.1 caps a tow of a passenger car without your consent:
| Hookup and initial tow, passenger car | $210 max |
| Nights (7 p.m.–8 a.m.), weekends, holidays | +$30, up to 2× |
| Storage, first 24 hours | $0 |
| Caught before it's towed away | $25 max |
| Boot removal | $25 max |
| Charges above posted rates | not collectable |
- The $210 cap covers the hookup and initial tow.
- A $30 extra fee is allowed for a tow between 7 p.m. and 8 a.m. or on a Saturday, Sunday or holiday, and no more than two of those fees per car.
- No storage charge for the first 24 hours, and no other fees in that first day beyond what the law or a local ordinance allows.
- Tow companies must post their fees at their main place of business. Charges above the posted fees can't be collected from you.
If you catch the tow truck
If you're there and move your car off the property before it's actually towed, it can't be towed. The most they can charge is $25, unless a local ordinance sets another limit. Removing a boot also tops out at $25.
Check your local rules
Many Virginia cities and counties set their own towing limits by ordinance, and those replace the state numbers above. Ask the tow company which limits apply, and check your locality's code if the bill looks high.
Common questions
How much can a tow company charge in Virginia?
Unless a local ordinance sets different limits, $210 for the hookup and initial tow of a passenger car towed without consent, plus up to $30 for nights, weekends or holidays, with no more than two of those fees. No storage charge for the first 24 hours.
Can a Virginia tow company charge storage the first day?
No. There's no charge for storage and safekeeping for 24 hours or less.
What if I get to my car before it's towed in Virginia?
If you remove it from the property before it's actually towed, it can't be towed, and the fee is capped at $25 unless a local ordinance sets another limit.
Do Virginia tow companies have to tell the police?
Yes, right away. A tow operator that fails to notify the police can only charge one day's storage.
Checked against official sources on October 29, 2026. Rules change, so confirm with the agency or business before you act.