Tennessee Towing Companies Playing Dirty
Tennessee drivers are increasingly facing troubling towing practices that often leave them frustrated, financially burdened, and unsure of their rights. Across cities like Nashville and Memphis, reports have surfaced about vehicles being towed without proper warning, from private lots that lack clear signage, or even from legal parking spots. What makes these incidents worse are the exorbitant fees charged to retrieve a vehicle, sometimes reaching hundreds or even over a thousand dollars, turning an already stressful experience into a significant financial hardship.
Private towing companies often operate under contracts with property owners to remove unauthorized vehicles. While this practice is legal if specific rules are followed, such as posting clear “No Parking” signs and obtaining written authorization before towing, many companies push the boundaries or outright ignore these requirements. This can include towing vehicles without explicit consent or relying on ambiguous agreements with property managers to justify removal. The result is a growing number of drivers who find their cars missing, only to discover steep towing and storage fees when they attempt to recover them.
In one well documented Nashville case, a towing company lost its license after authorities discovered it had towed a vehicle without proper authorization and had conflicts of interest influencing their decisions. Such enforcement actions demonstrate that regulations exist to protect consumers, but unfortunately, many towing companies still operate with little oversight, leaving drivers vulnerable. Memphis has seen particularly aggressive towing and booting practices, with companies facing lawsuits and public backlash for predatory behavior. Drivers report being booted or towed without sufficient notice or opportunity to move their vehicles, sometimes coupled with excessive fees that add financial strain.
In 2024, Tennessee introduced new legislation designed to curb abusive towing and booting practices. This law caps fees for removing boots on vehicles at $75 and requires boot removal within 30 minutes of owner contact. It also restricts booting and towing to properly licensed companies operating on commercial lots with clearly posted signage. While these steps mark progress, enforcement varies, and many drivers remain unaware of their rights or how to challenge wrongful towing.
High fees associated with unlawful or predatory towing in Tennessee can vary widely but typically include:
- Towing fees: The initial cost to have the vehicle towed often ranges from $150 to $300 or more, depending on the towing company and distance to the impound lot.
- Storage fees: After towing, vehicles are stored in impound lots, and daily storage fees can add up quickly—usually $20 to $50 per day. If the vehicle remains unclaimed for several days, these fees can become substantial.
- Administrative or release fees: Some companies charge extra for paperwork processing or vehicle release, which can add an additional $50 to $100 or more.
- Boot removal fees: Where booting is involved, removal fees are typically capped (for example, at $75 in Tennessee’s recent law), but in practice, fees can sometimes approach or reach that cap.
- Late retrieval penalties: If a vehicle isn’t retrieved promptly, accumulated storage fees and penalties can cause total costs to exceed $1,000 in extreme cases.
These high fees can financially strain vehicle owners, especially when towing was done without proper authorization or clear warning. This is where OUTPOUND.com can help. We are a dedicated resource for drivers facing unfair towing practices. Our team provides guidance on how to navigate disputes with towing companies, helps identify violations of state and local towing laws, and connects victims with legal assistance if needed. No one should be left feeling powerless after losing their vehicle to an unethical tow. By leveraging our expertise and support, Tennessee drivers can avoid excessive costs, and recover their vehicle. Unlawful towing is a serious issue, but you don’t have to face it alone.
Visit OUTPOUND today if you’ve been wrongfully towed and need to recover your vehicle.
