Towing rules in Oregon
What the state says about towing, with the page each rule comes from. It's a summary of the published rules, not legal advice, and your city or county can have rules of its own.
Updated October 6, 2026
Tow company licensing
In Oregon, a company needs a tow business certificate and tow plates from the Oregon DMV to tow or recover vehicles for pay. The Oregon State Board of Towing works with the DMV on it.1-3
Limits on police and private-property tow fees
In Oregon, each city or county may set maximum rates, including hookup and storage, for tows requested by someone other than the vehicle owner. Without such a rate, a company may not charge more than the prices it disclosed.4
Storage fees
In Oregon, storage limits are set by each city or county.4
Towed from a private lot
In Oregon, a sign in plain view must prohibit or restrict public parking. The tower needs signed authorization from the lot owner at the time of the tow, must photograph the vehicle first, and must notify local police within one hour of storing it. If the owner is present, release is free before hookup and costs at most the hookup charge after.4
Where to complain
Complaints about a tow go to the city or county that set the maximum rates, which must run a complaint process.4
Get quotes from tow companies in your county
One request instead of calling tow companies one at a time. It's free, and you don't have to hire anyone. Your request may go to contractors nearby.
Sources
Tow companies in Oregon
Oregon has 580 tow companies listed, and 476 of them hold an active USDOT registration. Browse them by county and call one directly, or schedule a tow and we'll pass it to tow companies near you.
Cite this page
“Towing rules in Oregon.” FindTowingTruck.com, updated October 6, 2026. https://findtowingtruck.com/or/rules/