Towing Laws in Idaho: Your Rights, Costs & Impound Rules

If your car was just towed in Idaho - off a private lot, from a crash scene, or as part of a law-enforcement-directed tow - this page explains what state law says about the fees you can be charged, how to get your vehicle and belongings back, and where to take a complaint. Every fact below comes directly from Idaho statutes and regulator pages, each cited so you can verify it yourself.

Who regulates towing in Idaho

Idaho doesn't have a standalone towing licensing board. Instead, law-enforcement tow rotation runs through the Idaho State Police authorized tow list, with background checks required under the state's towing chapter. For consumer complaints about unfair or deceptive towing practices, you file with the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division, either online or by mail, under the Idaho Consumer Protection Act.

What a tow can cost

Idaho doesn't publish flat statewide dollar caps for towing. Instead, state law requires towing companies to provide their rate sheets to the department for law-enforcement-directed tows, and it prohibits tow fees from varying based on the value of your vehicle. Critically, any charge higher than what's reflected on the company's own filed rate sheet is deemed excessive under the law - meaning the company is legally bound by whatever rates it has on file.

Since there's no single statewide number to compare against, your best move is to ask the towing company for its filed rate sheet and check the charges on your invoice against it. Our towing cost calculator can help you organize that comparison.

Getting your car back from impound

Idaho requires the tow company to notify you as the owner within one business day after it reports the tow. If the vehicle goes unclaimed, the company can obtain a title or junk certificate clear of liens 30 days after that first notification. Storage charges themselves can't run past 60 days from the date of the tow. And regardless of how long your car has been sitting, personal property inside it must be given to you during reasonable business hours at no additional charge, whenever you ask for it.

If you're towed from private property

A property controller in Idaho can remove or boot an unauthorized vehicle if there's a conspicuous, large-print sign warning of removal at the owner's expense and naming the towing company. If a noncommercial property doesn't have that posted sign, the tow instead requires a signed release form before it can happen.

After an accident

Idaho requires you to immediately report a crash to police if it causes injury or death, or more than $1,500 in damage to any one person's property. If you need an official copy of the report afterward, Idaho crash reports can be ordered online through the state's Office of Highway Safety for $7, plus a transaction fee.

The Move Over law

On a multi-lane highway, Idaho requires you to immediately reduce speed below the posted limit and change lanes away from a stationary vehicle displaying flashing lights, as soon as you can do so safely. On a single-lane highway, you're instead required to immediately reduce speed below the posted limit and maintain a safe speed until you're past the vehicle. The statute itself doesn't specify a dollar fine for violations.

Chains & winter traction

Idaho law lets the state require chains for all commercial vehicles when specific mountain passes - Lookout Pass or Fourth of July Pass on Interstate 90, or Lolo Pass on State Highway 12 - are in an unsafe condition that calls for them. When chains are required, operators have to chain a minimum of one tire on each side of one drive axle, plus one axle at or near the rear of each towed vehicle, and the state provides multiple advance notices and pull-out opportunities before the requirement takes effect.

FAQ

Is there a statewide maximum tow fee in Idaho? No fixed dollar cap exists statewide. Instead, towing companies must file their rate sheets, fees can't vary by vehicle value, and any charge above the filed rate sheet is considered excessive under Idaho law.

How long can an Idaho tow company hold my car before it's abandoned? You must be notified within one business day of the tow, and if the vehicle stays unclaimed, the company can obtain a lien-free title or junk certificate 30 days after that first notification; storage charges themselves are capped at 60 days from the date of the tow.

How much does an Idaho crash report cost? An official crash report can be ordered online through the Idaho Office of Highway Safety for $7 plus a transaction fee.

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