Tow Companies

Mission Statement

To ensure tow truck businesses in Prince George's County comply with all applicable laws and regulations.

Towing Documents and FAQs

Towing Application | English
Towing Application | Español

Where can I find Prince George's County regulations for the "Towing and Disposition of Vehicles"?

What is the difference between Consensual and Non-consensual towing?

Consensual Towing is the towing of a motor vehicle at the request of the owner or the owner's agent, insurer, primary lienholder or law enforcement officer.
Non-consensual towing is the towing of a motor vehicle from private property at the request of the owner of the property, the owner's designee, or law enforcement officer.

Do I have to have a towing license to tow vehicles in Prince George’s County?

Yes, except as provided in Section 5-266 of the Towing Regulations, it shall be unlawful for any person to provide a towing service in Prince George's County, Maryland, without first having obtained a license from the Department of the Environment.
Once you have completed the towing application in its entirety you can email the application to PGCTowing@co.pg.md.us or bring it and the required fees to the Department of the Environment located at 1801 McCormick Drive, Suite 500, Largo, MD 20774.

How can I submit an application for a towing license in Prince George’s County?

Once you have completed the towing application in its entirety you can email the application to PGCTowing@co.pg.md.us or bring it and the required fees to the Department of the Environment located at 1801 McCormick Drive, Suite 500, Largo, MD 20774.

Can I provide towing services prior to receiving a license, new or renewal?

No. A person who provides a towing service in Prince George's County without a license is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) or imprisonment not to exceed six (6) months, or both. Any tow truck providing towing services without a license shall be subject to impoundment in accordance with regulations issued by the Director and may only be retrieved upon presentation to the Department of proof of license and/or payment of a fine of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00).

What is needed for my tow truck(s) to pass inspection and receive a medallion?

Each tow truck shall have permanent signs or markings on both sides of the vehicle, in a color that contrasts with the color of the body paint and in letters not less than three (3) inches in height, the name, telephone number, and license number of the licensee for that tow truck. Each tow truck shall also display on the driver side fender a tow truck medallion number issued by the Department that contains the license number of the licensee for that tow truck.
A copy of a current valid vehicle registration from the Department of Motor Vehicles and proof of insurance must be submitted with your application.

How much can I charge to tow and/or impound a vehicle?

Non-consensual tows - Private and Revenue Authority: $175; an additional $50 per day after the first 18 hours of impoundment.
Police: $215; additional $50 per day after the first 18 hours of impoundment
Consensual tows – pricing shall be according to the pricing list on file with the Director of the Prince George’s County Department of the Environment.
- Before providing any consensual towing service, each tow truck operator shall inform the owner or operator of the motor vehicle or the owner's representative of the towing service charges and provide an itemized Towing Service Work Order Statement, except no Towing Service Work Order Statement shall be required where the owner or operator of the motor vehicle or the owner's representative is not reasonably available or otherwise consents to the tow. Section 5-268 (i)
- Any changes to pricing list must first be presented to and accepted by the Director of the Department of the Environment.
- All pricing lists should be on company letterhead, signed and dated.

What are the requirements for tow slips?

See Section 26-142.05 of the Towing Regulations.

What are the payment methods allowed to retrieve a vehicle?

A towing company shall accept payment in cash or by a major credit card with a credit card slip validly signed by the vehicle owner or the owner's agent for the amount of all valid charges. The towing company shall accept two (2) major credit cards that include the following: MasterCard, American Express, Discover and Visa. Credit card telephone touchtone capture option with signed receipts is allowed.
A receipt shall be provided upon release of the vehicle. The receipt shall specify the name, address and phone number of the towing company, the make, model and Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) of the vehicle, the license plate number, the tow company's license number, the time at which the vehicle was towed, the location from which the vehicle was towed, the reason for the towing, the location where the vehicle was towed and any other location at which the vehicle was stored. The receipt shall also include information on the legal right of the vehicle owner to request a hearing pursuant to Section 26-142.10 of this Code.

What is a Show Cause Hearing?

Show Cause Hearings are to determine whether a vehicle was properly towed and impounded under the provision of Subtitle Divisions 5 and 26 of the County Code.
Show Cause Hearings are conducted by a Hearing Officer.
You will be required to appear and present testimony at the hearing.

Do I have to attend a Show Cause Hearing if I receive a summons?

Yes, failure by a tow company to attend a hearing, without just cause, shall result in a finding for the vehicle owner by the Hearing Officer. The Director may impose a fine of up to Fifty Dollars ($50.00) per hearing on any towing company for failing to attend a hearing under Section 26-142.10.

What happens at the hearing?

Currently hearings are held virtually.
Both the requestor and tow truck company representative will present evidence, witnesses, and testimony to support their stance.
The Hearing Officer weighs the facts presented and makes a determination as to whether there was probable cause for the vehicle to be towed.
Determinations are not made during the hearing; however, will be mailed out within 21 business days.

What do I need in order to have a virtual hearing?

A computer or mobile device with a webcam (camera), a stable internet connection, and a noise-free environment.
Evidence should be submitted no later than seven (7) business days before the scheduled hearing either via mail, in-person to The Towing Commission at 1801 McCormick Drive, Suite 500 Largo, MD 20774, or by email to PGCTowing@co.pg.md.us.
If a case number has been assigned, you will need to include that case number with all evidence submissions.
If no case number assigned, then please use the name of the person that is referenced on the Vehicle Show Cause Hearing Request Form or the parties listed on the summons.

What does the Hearings Officer consider when making a decision?

The hearing officer is only empowered to rule on if the vehicle was legally towed and impounded. (Sec. 26. 142. 10 and Sec. 26 – 169).
Should the hearing officer rule that the vehicle was towed without probable cause (illegally) then the owner is entitled to receive reimbursement for towing and storage fees already paid or a fraction thereof as ordered by the Hearing Officer.
- The failure by a towing company to pay an ordered reimbursement within fifteen (15) days of notice by the Hearing Officer, shall result in:
  - (1) A suspension by the Director of the towing company license for a period of no less than ninety (90) days pursuant to Section 5-273 (a)(10) of the Code; and
  - (2) A court in any subsequent civil action for enforcement of the decision finds the tow invalid and the amount charged was paid, the towing company shall pay the vehicle owner, in addition to the amount invalidly charged, liquidated damages of two (2) times the amount invalidly charged, but not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), and all reasonable costs of collection, including court costs and a reasonable attorney's fee.
Should the hearing officer determine there was a probable cause (legally) for the vehicle being impounded, impound/storage fees paid will not be refunded.

What kind of towing does the Hearings Officer have jurisdiction over?

Private, County Police and Revenue Authority towing

Where can I find Prince George's County’s "Towing Hearings Officer Rules and Regulations"?

Subtitle 26 Division 10 Section 26-142.10

How do I request to have my hearing rescheduled?

Notify the hearing administrator via email no later than five (5) business days before the date of the hearing.
Both the requestor and tow truck company are permitted one (1) reschedule.

May a requestor withdraw the request for a hearing?

Yes, by sending a signed and dated request to withdraw to The Towing Commission at PGCTowing@co.pg.md.us.

How do I appeal a tow hearing decision?

The decision of the Hearing Officer is final; however, the citizen does have the right to file a claim in civil court.