Dallas County, TX Business Licensing & Operations: Towing Companies (2026)
Key Facts
- State law
- TX Occupations Code Ch. 2308
- State agency
- Texas TDLR
- County rotation
- Dallas County Sheriff
- VSF supervision
- TDLR plus OCCC
- Fee complaints
- TDLR enforcement
Summary
Texas Occupations Code Chapter 2308 makes the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation the sole licensing authority for tow operators and vehicle storage facilities in Dallas County. The Dallas County Sheriff maintains a non-consent rotation list for crash and arrest tows on county roads.
Sec. 2308.151. LICENSE OR LOCAL AUTHORIZATION REQUIRED. (a) Unless the person holds an appropriate license under this subchapter, a person may not: (1) perform towing operations; or (2) operate a towing company. (b) Unless prohibited by a local authority under Section 2308.2085, a person may: (1) perform booting operations; and (2) operate a booting company. Sec. 2308.153. INCIDENT MANAGEMENT TOWING OPERATOR'S LICENSE. (a) An incident management towing operator's license is required to operate a tow truck permitted under Section 2308.103.
Full Breakdown
Under Texas Occupations Code Chapter 2308 and 16 Texas Administrative Code Chapter 86, every incident-management and consent tow operator, tow truck driver, and vehicle storage facility (VSF) in Dallas County must hold a TDLR license and follow the Texas Towing and Booting Act. TDLR sets equipment, insurance, fee posting, and consumer rights rules statewide. The Dallas County Sheriff publishes a non-consent rotation contract for police-ordered tows on county roads and unincorporated areas, requiring rotation tow companies to hold TDLR licenses, carry adequate insurance, meet response-time targets, and submit to background checks. Cities run their own rotation contracts inside city limits. TDLR investigates fee disputes; the OCCC supervises Vehicle Storage Facility regulation alongside TDLR.
Violations & Fines
Operating an unlicensed tow truck or VSF, charging above TDLR maximum non-consent fees, refusing credit cards, or running predatory private-property tows violates Occupations Code 2308 and triggers TDLR fines, license revocation, and rotation removal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Dallas County tow operator demand cash only?
How do I get on the Dallas County Sheriff tow rotation?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Dallas County
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Dallas County to another location·View the Texas business licensing & operations overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.