Understanding Towing Laws in Arizona: What You Need to Know

If you’ve ever had your vehicle towed or are curious about the legal guidelines that towing companies must follow, it’s important to be aware of the towing laws in Arizona. At ZK Towing LLC, we pride ourselves on following all state regulations and ensuring that our customers understand their rights. In this blog, we’ll cover key Arizona towing laws that govern everything from non-consensual towing to fee regulations.

1. Non-Consensual Towing

Non-consensual towing refers to instances where your vehicle is towed without your permission, such as when your car is illegally parked or blocking traffic. In Arizona, towing companies must follow strict guidelines for non-consensual tows:

Signage Requirements: For vehicles to be towed from private property, there must be clearly visible signs warning that unauthorized vehicles will be towed. These signs must include the name and contact information of the towing company.

Notification: The towing company must notify law enforcement within 30 minutes of towing a vehicle without the owner’s consent. This ensures that vehicle owners can locate their car if it’s towed.

Vehicle Release: Once towed, the vehicle must be available for release within 24 hours, allowing the owner to retrieve it quickly after paying the necessary fees.

2. Maximum Towing Fees

Arizona has regulations that protect vehicle owners from being overcharged for towing services. The Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) sets maximum rates for towing and storage fees in cases of non-consensual towing. Towing companies cannot exceed these rates, ensuring fair and consistent pricing for all tows.

Towing Fees: Towing companies are limited in how much they can charge based on the type of vehicle being towed and the distance of the tow.

Storage Fees: If your vehicle is stored at a towing facility, the fees for daily storage must be reasonable and fall within the limits set by the state.

3. Payment Options

Under Arizona law, towing companies must provide multiple payment options for customers retrieving their vehicles. This includes accepting cash, debit, and credit cards, ensuring you have flexibility in paying your towing and storage fees. Companies cannot insist on cash-only payments, which helps protect consumers.

4. Rights of Vehicle Owners

Vehicle owners have certain rights when their car is towed in Arizona. These rights ensure transparency and fairness in the towing process:

Access to Your Vehicle: Even if your vehicle has been towed, you have the right to access your vehicle to retrieve personal belongings. The towing company must allow you to collect your items, even if you haven’t yet paid the towing or storage fees.

Fair Notice: If your vehicle is towed from a parking lot or private property, the towing company must provide clear notice of where your vehicle is being stored and the total amount you owe.

Dispute Process: If you believe your vehicle was wrongfully towed or that you were overcharged, you have the right to dispute the tow. This can be done through the Arizona Department of Public Safety, which oversees towing company regulations and handles complaints.

5. Commercial and Heavy-Duty Towing

For commercial and heavy-duty vehicles, Arizona towing laws include specific guidelines to ensure safe and compliant towing. At ZK Towing LLC, we adhere to all state and federal regulations when towing semi-trucks, buses, and other large vehicles. These regulations cover equipment requirements, driver qualifications, and weight limits to ensure safe transport.

Why Understanding Towing Laws Matters

Knowing your rights as a vehicle owner and understanding Arizona’s towing laws can help protect you from unfair practices and overcharging. It also ensures that towing companies like ZK Towing LLC operate with integrity and transparency. We are fully licensed and insured, and we follow all Arizona towing regulations to provide safe, legal, and professional services across Phoenix, Glendale, and Mesa.

Need Towing Services in Phoenix, AZ?

If you’re in need of reliable, law-compliant towing services in Phoenix or the surrounding areas, ZK Towing LLC is here to help. Whether you require light-duty towing, roadside assistance, or heavy-duty towing, we ensure that your vehicle is handled with care and that all state laws are followed.

Contact us today for all your towing needs.