Towing Laws in West Virginia: Your Rights, Costs & Impound Rules

If your car was just towed in West Virginia - from a private lot, an accident 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 back, and where to file a complaint. Every fact below comes directly from West Virginia statutes and state agency pages, each cited so you can verify it yourself.

Who regulates towing in West Virginia

The West Virginia Public Service Commission (PSC) regulates carriers that perform towing and recovery of wrecked or disabled vehicles. Under the statute governing the PSC's authority, the agency runs a complaint process for third-party tows in which the carrier bears the burden of proving its charges are just and reasonable - and the PSC can order refunds if they aren't. That complaint process is your recourse if you believe you were overcharged.

What a tow can cost

Rather than publishing a fixed statewide price list, West Virginia law directs the PSC to establish rules setting fair and reasonable towing rates statewide, taking into account factors like vehicle type, time, staffing, location, and weather. Carriers are also required to list their approved rates and charges on every invoice they issue.

Since there's no single dollar figure to check your bill against, compare the rates on your invoice to what the carrier has on file with the PSC, and file a complaint if the charges look inflated. Our towing cost calculator can also help you evaluate whether a bill seems reasonable.

Getting your car back from impound

When a vehicle is taken into custody in West Virginia, the agency holding it must notify the owner and any lienholders by registered or certified mail within 15 days. From there, the owner has 10 days after that notice to reclaim the vehicle by paying the towing, preservation, and storage charges owed. If that 10-day reclamation period passes without the vehicle being claimed, it can be sold at public auction or to a licensed salvage yard.

If you're towed from private property

An owner, tenant, or lessee of private property in West Virginia can have an unauthorized parked vehicle removed, and the vehicle's owner is responsible for paying all the removal costs. Whoever arranges the removal is required to notify the West Virginia State Police - and, if the vehicle was removed from within a municipality, the municipal police as well.

After an accident

West Virginia requires a driver to give notice immediately, by the quickest means of communication available, to local police or the county sheriff or State Police whenever a crash results in injury, death, or property damage of $1,000 or more.

The Move Over law

West Virginia requires drivers approaching a stationary vehicle displaying emergency or warning lights to make a lane change away from it when possible. If a lane change isn't possible, drivers must slow to no more than 15 miles per hour on a nondivided highway or 25 miles per hour on a divided highway. A violation carries a fine of up to $500 and/or up to 60 days in jail.

FAQ

Is there a fixed statewide price for a West Virginia tow? No. The Public Service Commission sets rules for fair and reasonable rates rather than a single price list, and carriers must list their approved rates and charges on every invoice.

How long do I have to reclaim my vehicle before it's sold? After the custodial agency mails notice by registered or certified mail, you have 10 days to reclaim the vehicle by paying towing, preservation, and storage charges. After that window closes, the vehicle can be sold at auction or to a licensed salvage yard.

Who do I complain to if a West Virginia tow company overcharges me? File a complaint with the Public Service Commission, which oversees towing and recovery carriers and can order a refund if the carrier can't prove its charges were just and reasonable.

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