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

If your car was just towed in Utah - from a private lot, a crash scene, or a state impound yard - this page explains what state law says about the fees you can be charged, how to get your vehicle back, and where to file a complaint. Every fact below comes directly from Utah statutes and regulator pages, each cited so you can verify it yourself.

Who regulates towing in Utah

The Utah Department of Transportation's Motor Carrier Division regulates tow truck operations, including certifications, inspections, and towing fees for non-consent tows. If you want to file a complaint, UDOT provides a Tow Truck Complaint form through its online complaint system.

What a tow can cost

Utah sets statewide maximum rates for non-consent tows. The Consumer Bill of Rights for vehicles 10,000 lbs. and less lists a tow fee of $211 maximum, storage at $42 per day, an administrative fee of $44, an after-hours release fee of $75 maximum, and a credit card fee of 3% of the transaction total. Storage runs $42 per day outdoors or $47 per day indoors. Every non-consent tow must be reported to the Utah Motor Vehicle Division through the Impound Vehicle System before the towing company can collect payment.

Because these are hard statewide dollar caps, they're a solid benchmark to check your bill against. Our towing cost calculator can help you compare an itemized invoice to these maximums before you pay.

Getting your car back from impound

To retrieve a state-impounded vehicle in Utah, you'll need to present proper evidence of ownership - a title, registration certificate, or bill of sale - along with legal picture ID at a DMV office, then pay any applicable fees and obtain a DMV release letter. Only after that can you take the release letter to the impound yard, present photo ID, and pay the towing and storage charges owed there. Note that the Tax Commission and DMV don't have regulatory authority over towing or storage fees themselves - that oversight sits with UDOT's Motor Carrier Division. Utah's online impound-yard database can help you locate where your vehicle was taken.

If you're towed from private property

Utah requires signs at each entrance of a private lot that substantially meet the statutory format - 24 by 18 inches. Without compliant signage, the property owner generally must attach a written 24-hour warning to the vehicle before it can be towed.

After an accident

Utah may require you to file an accident report within 10 days after the department requests one, when a crash causes injury, death, or apparent total property damage of $2,500 or more.

The Move Over law

Utah requires drivers approaching stopped emergency vehicles, UDOT or public works vehicles, incident management trucks, tow trucks, or any vehicle with flashing or hazard lights on, to change lanes. If changing lanes isn't safe, drivers must slow down and move over as far as possible within their own lane, away from the stopped vehicle. A violation is an infraction carrying a $160 fine.

Chains & winter traction

UDOT's Traction Law applies to Big Cottonwood Canyon (SR-190) and Little Cottonwood Canyon (SR-210) when it's activated during winter storms. Under the law, 2WD vehicles need 3 peak mountain snowflake (3PMSF)-rated tires on all wheels, or traction devices like chains or snow socks on at least two drive wheels. AWD and 4WD vehicles need at least M+S-rated tires on all wheels. Regardless of drivetrain, all tires must have at least 5/32 inch of tread depth.

FAQ

What's the maximum a non-consent tow can cost in Utah? The statewide cap for vehicles 10,000 lbs. and less is $211 for the tow, plus storage of $42 per day outdoors or $47 per day indoors, a $44 administrative fee, and up to $75 for after-hours release.

What do I need to retrieve a state-impounded car in Utah? Bring proof of ownership and photo ID to a DMV office to get a release letter and pay applicable fees, then take that letter to the impound yard with photo ID to pay the towing and storage charges.

Do I need chains in Utah's Cottonwood Canyons in winter? When UDOT's Traction Law is activated for Big Cottonwood Canyon (SR-190) or Little Cottonwood Canyon (SR-210), 2WD vehicles need 3PMSF-rated tires or traction devices like chains on at least two drive wheels, and AWD/4WD vehicles need at least M+S-rated tires, with 5/32 inch tread depth minimum on all vehicles.

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