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

If your car was just towed in Wyoming - as an abandoned vehicle, after a crash, or by police direction - 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 Wyoming statutes and state agency pages, each cited so you can verify it yourself.

Who regulates towing in Wyoming

Wyoming's abandoned vehicle act defines a towing and recovery service as one meeting all the requirements of the local authorities in its jurisdiction and of the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT). Towing consumer complaints alleging unfair or deceptive practices are filed with the Attorney General's Consumer Protection and Antitrust Unit, reachable at (307) 777-6397 or ag.consumer@wyo.gov.

What a tow can cost

Wyoming statutes set no statewide rate caps for non-consent tows in general - redemption simply requires paying the charges of towing, storage, notice, and other impoundment costs, without a dollar ceiling attached. The only specific dollar limits in Wyoming law apply narrowly to expenses payable from a county's abandoned vehicle account: removal at the greater of $6.00 per mile or $100.00, storage at $20.00 per day for up to 30 days, and a $760.00 total cap, all under the statute governing that county account.

Because there's no broad statewide price cap, ask for an itemized invoice and, if a charge seems unreasonable, raise it with the Attorney General's Consumer Protection and Antitrust Unit. Our towing cost calculator can also help you compare a bill against typical costs.

Getting your car back from impound

Anyone with proof of ownership can redeem an impounded vehicle in Wyoming by paying the towing, storage, notice, and other impoundment costs owed. The custodian is required to release personal property inside the vehicle during regular office hours, with no charge for its removal or release. If a police-impounded vehicle has a fair market value of $2,000.00 or more, it may be sold at public auction once 30 days have elapsed from notice, with sale notice published at least 10 days before the sale.

If you're towed from private property

Wyoming's statewide facts on private-property towing weren't available for this guide, and rules can vary by city or county ordinance. If your vehicle was towed from a private lot, look for posted signage at the property and check with your local police department or city government about what notice and authorization requirements apply locally, and ask the towing company for an itemized invoice you can compare against those rules.

After an accident

Wyoming requires drivers to immediately notify law enforcement when a crash causes injury or death, or property damage that leaves a motor vehicle unable to operate normally and safely. If you need a copy of the report afterward, you can request one from WYDOT Highway Safety at 307-777-4450 or crash.records@wyo.gov, providing the crash and involved-party identifiers requested.

The Move Over law

When a parked authorized emergency vehicle displays visual signals, Wyoming requires drivers on highways with two or more lanes in their direction to merge into the lane farthest from it, or at least one lane apart. On a two-lane road posted at 45 miles per hour or greater, drivers must slow to 20 miles per hour less than the posted limit.

Chains & winter traction

Wyoming's chain law has two levels. Under Level 1, travel is limited to vehicles with tire chains, adequate snow tires, or all-wheel drive. Under Level 2, commercial vehicles must chain at least two drive wheels at opposite axle ends. Fines are $250 for violating the travel restriction, rising to $750 for a violation that results in a highway closure.

FAQ

Is there a statewide maximum for what a Wyoming tow can cost? Not broadly. Wyoming law doesn't set statewide rate caps for non-consent tows generally - redemption just requires paying the towing, storage, and notice costs owed. The only fixed dollar limits apply to county abandoned vehicle account expenses: the greater of $6.00 per mile or $100.00 for removal, $20.00 per day for storage up to 30 days, and a $760.00 total cap.

Can I get my belongings out of a towed vehicle without paying extra? Yes. The custodian is required to release personal property inside the vehicle during regular office hours at no charge for its removal or release.

What happens if I ignore Wyoming's chain law? Violating the travel restriction under the chain law carries a $250 fine, and a violation that causes a highway closure carries a $750 fine.

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