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

If your car was just towed in Mississippi - from a private lot, a crash scene, or after being flagged as abandoned - 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 file a complaint. Every fact below comes directly from Mississippi statutes and state agencies, each cited so you can verify it yourself.

Who regulates towing in Mississippi

The Mississippi Department of Public Safety administers the state's commercial towing program through the Commercial Towing Advisory Committee (CTAC), under Miss. Code 63-37-1 through 63-37-15. If you believe you were overcharged, you can dispute the invoiced fees within 15 calendar days, and CTAC must rule on your appeal within ten business days - with all storage fees suspended until the appeal is resolved.

What a tow can cost

Mississippi sets statewide maximum rates for nonconsensual tows of commercial vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of 15,000 pounds or more: a towing and recovery service may charge less than the approved statewide rates but may not charge more. Per-pound billing for nonconsensual private-property tows is also prohibited outright.

If your vehicle doesn't fall into that commercial-vehicle category, ask for an itemized invoice and remember that you have a formal dispute process available through CTAC if something looks off. Our towing cost calculator can help you compare the bill against what's typical.

Getting your car back from impound

A vehicle lawfully towed by law enforcement in Mississippi and left unclaimed for 40 days is considered abandoned. The holder must notify the owner and lienholder within 7 days of receiving the vehicle, and can sell it at public auction if no claim is made within 30 days - with a minimum wait of 30 days after removal from a public road before that can happen. Starting July 1, 2026, towing companies will be required to use an approved third-party vendor to send certified-mail notice of the amount due and the date, time, and place of the sale.

If you're towed from private property

A Mississippi tow company must notify local law enforcement within 24 hours of a private-property tow, unless you as the owner requested it yourself. If the vehicle goes unclaimed, the process for identifying the owner and lienholder begins after 5 days, and certified-mail notice is required within 10 days.

After an accident

Mississippi requires that a crash involving injury or death, or apparent property damage exceeding $500.00, be reported immediately to local police, the county sheriff, or the nearest Highway Patrol office. If you need an official copy afterward, eligible purchasers can obtain a Mississippi crash report for $15 by mail or in person, or $20 online.

The Move Over law

Miss. Code 63-3-809 requires drivers approaching a stationary emergency or recovery vehicle - which covers tow trucks - with flashing lights to make a lane change into a non-adjacent lane on roadways with at least four lanes, or otherwise reduce speed and be prepared to stop. A violation is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $250.00, or not more than $1,000.00 if it results in property damage or bodily injury.

FAQ

Can I dispute a towing charge I think is too high in Mississippi? Yes. You can dispute invoiced fees within 15 calendar days through the Commercial Towing Advisory Committee, which must rule within ten business days, and storage fees are suspended while the appeal is pending.

How long before an unclaimed towed vehicle can be sold in Mississippi? A vehicle towed by law enforcement is considered abandoned after 40 days unclaimed, and can be sold at public auction if no claim is made within 30 days - with a minimum wait of 30 days after it was removed from a public road.

What's the penalty for not moving over for a tow truck in Mississippi? It's a misdemeanor, with a fine of not more than $250.00 for a standard violation, rising to not more than $1,000.00 if the violation causes property damage or bodily injury.

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