Towing services are run by owner-operators and small fleets that move disabled, wrecked, illegally parked, or repossessed vehicles. Invoices go to private customers, motor clubs, insurance companies, body shops, property managers, and sometimes police departments for rotation calls. Typical charges include the hookup, loaded mileage, winching, storage, and after-hours fees.
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Most towing work is priced as a base hookup fee plus a per-mile charge for loaded miles, meaning the miles the vehicle is on the truck. Private-pay jobs are often quoted as a flat price for a short local tow. Extras are billed on top: winching or recovery by the hour, dolly or flatbed use, labor for tire changes, jump starts, and lockouts, plus after-hours, holiday, and weather surcharges. Storage is charged per day after a free period, and gate or release fees apply when a vehicle is picked up from your lot. Heavy-duty tows and accident recovery are billed hourly per truck and per worker, often with a minimum. Motor club and police rotation work usually follows set rate sheets or local ordinances that cap what you can charge, so check what applies to you. Many cities and states regulate nonconsensual tows, such as private property impounds, with maximum rates.
| Service | Priced | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| Local light-duty tow (hookup, first 5-10 miles) | flat fee | $75-150 |
| Loaded mileage beyond included miles | per mile | $3-7 |
| Winching or light recovery | per hour | $100-225 |
| Jump start, lockout, or tire change | per service call | $45-100 |
| Fuel delivery | per call plus fuel | $50-100 |
| Impound or outdoor storage | per day | $25-75 |
| Heavy-duty tow or recovery | per hour | $200-450 |
| After-hours or holiday surcharge | flat fee | $25-100 |
Typical US ranges. Rates vary by region, experience, and job size.
| Description | Qty | Rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flatbed tow hookup, 2019 Honda Accord, disabled on I-85 (includes first 5 miles) | 1 flat fee | $110.00 | $110.00 |
| Additional loaded miles to Ridgeway Auto Repair (total 23 miles) | 18 per mile | $4.50 | $81.00 |
| Winching vehicle from roadside ditch | 0.75 hour | $150.00 | $112.50 |
| After-hours surcharge (call received 11:40 PM) | 1 flat fee | $50.00 | $50.00 |
| Storage at yard, 1 day after free 24-hour period | 1 day | $40.00 | $40.00 |
| Total | $393.50 | ||
Notes: Payment due upon vehicle release or within 14 days for billed accounts. Vehicle pickup/drop-off: Unit 7, call received 11:40 PM, arrived 12:15 AM. Storage accrues daily after 24 hours. We accept cash, card, and check. Late balances over 30 days incur a 1.5% monthly fee.
Identifies exactly which vehicle you towed and protects you in damage or ownership disputes.
Supports the per-mile charge and settles any argument about distance.
Justifies hourly winching, wait time, and after-hours surcharges.
Many states and cities require operator identification, and insurers and fleets often ask for it.
Itemizing keeps customers and insurers from disputing a lump sum.
Shows who agreed to the tow and lets insurers and motor clubs match the invoice to their file.
Storage balances grow over time and are commonly challenged, so dates and rates must be clear.
Private-pay customers are normally expected to pay at the time of service or at vehicle release, and many operators will not release a stored vehicle until the balance is paid. Roadside customers often pay by card on a mobile reader. Motor clubs, fleets, body shops, and insurers are billed on net 15 to net 30 terms, and motor clubs may pay through their own dispatch systems on a set schedule. Written late fees, often 1.5% per month, should be listed on the invoice. Cash discounts are common but should be applied consistently. Check local rules on lien sales, notice requirements, and storage fee limits before holding a vehicle for nonpayment.
Give private customers the hookup, mileage, and any known add-ons before you start. Stranded drivers remember surprises, and chargebacks often follow. Get a signature or recorded verbal approval.
Timestamped photos of damage, condition, and location protect you against claims and support winching or recovery charges when an insurer reviews the bill.
Private pay, motor club, police rotation, and commercial accounts often have different rates and caps. Applying the wrong sheet is a common source of underbilling and rejected claims.
Many states require you to notify the owner and lienholder within a set period before charging full storage or selling a vehicle. Track the days and keep copies of notices so storage charges hold up.
Insurers often pay only what they approve. Include the claim number, adjuster name, photos, and tow ticket so the claim does not stall for lack of documents.
Include your business name and license information, the customer, vehicle details with VIN and plate, pickup and drop-off locations, mileage, time stamps, an itemized list of charges, authorization details, and payment terms. Add storage dates and rates if the vehicle was held.
In most places yes, but states and cities often set maximum daily rates, free periods, and notice rules. Put your daily rate and free period on the invoice and on any signage at your lot, and check your local rules.
Most private tows charge only loaded miles, plus a hookup fee that covers getting to the scene. Some operators charge deadhead miles for long-distance calls or remote areas. Whichever you use, state it up front.
Send the itemized invoice with time stamps, photos, and the authorization record. A clear tow ticket usually resolves it. For unpaid balances, follow your state's lien rules rather than withholding or selling a vehicle without proper notice.
It varies by state. Some states tax towing services, some do not, and parts or materials may be taxed separately. Check with your state revenue department or an accountant.
Send a Towing Service estimate for approval, then turn it into an invoice when the work is done.
Towing Service estimate template