Question 1

What should a towing invoice include?

Accepted Answer

Vehicle details, pickup and drop-off locations, mileage, an itemized breakdown of charges (hookup, mileage, storage, admin), and — for police-ordered or impound tows — a case or reference number, plus the usual invoice basics like invoice number, date and business/customer details.

Question 2

How much can a towing company legally charge?

Accepted Answer

This varies by jurisdiction. In the US, several states cap towing and storage fees or require them to be itemized, particularly for non-consensual (police-ordered) tows — check your state's rules before setting rates.

Question 3

Do I need a police report number on a tow invoice?

Accepted Answer

Only for impound or non-consensual tows (police-ordered, illegal parking, abandoned vehicle). For an ordinary breakdown call-out billed directly to the vehicle owner, you don't need one — leave that field blank.

Question 4

Is towing subject to sales tax or VAT?

Accepted Answer

Yes — in nearly every market a one-off towing or recovery service billed to the vehicle owner is a standard-rated supply, the same as any other trade service. Canada is a partial exception: the CRA classifies towing as a freight transportation service for GST/HST purposes, though the standard GST/HST rates still apply.

Question 5

How are storage fees calculated?

Accepted Answer

Almost always as days multiplied by a daily rate, sometimes with a different rate for indoor versus outdoor storage and a short grace period before charges start. Add storage as its own line item — quantity in days, rate per day.

Question 6

What's the difference between a towing invoice and a vehicle recovery invoice?

Accepted Answer

"Towing" is the more common term in the US, Canada and Australia; "recovery" is the more natural trade term in the UK. Both describe the same document — this generator covers either.

Question 7

Can I invoice an insurance company or breakdown club directly for a tow?

Accepted Answer

Yes — put the insurer or fleet/breakdown-club account number in the notes or bill-to field and invoice them the same way you'd invoice the vehicle owner. Note that a fixed annual breakdown-membership fee is a different (and in some markets VAT-exempt, as insurance) product from the ad hoc call-out this tool invoices — that membership fee itself isn't what you are billing here.

Question 8

What is a mechanic's or storage lien, and does it belong on the invoice?

Accepted Answer

In the US, towing and storage companies commonly hold a statutory lien over a vehicle until charges are paid. If this applies in your state, add your standard lien and storage-terms notice in the notes/terms field.

Question 9

Do towing companies need a DOT or MC number on the invoice?

Accepted Answer

Interstate carriers in the US typically show their USDOT/MC number on paperwork, and some states (e.g. Texas, via the TDLR) require a certificate-of-registration and operator license number on every tow ticket. Put these in your business header details rather than as a per-invoice field.

Question 10

How much does towing cost per mile?

Accepted Answer

Rates vary widely by market and vehicle type — this tool doesn't set rates for you. Enter your own hookup fee and per-mile or per-day rate as line items.

Descripción	Cantidad	Precio unitario	Importe
Dispatch / hookup fee	1	MX$0.00	MX$0.00
Towing — miles	1	MX$0.00	MX$0.00
Winching / recovery — minutes	1	MX$0.00	MX$0.00
Storage — days	1	MX$0.00	MX$0.00
After-hours / weekend surcharge	1	MX$0.00	MX$0.00
Admin / release fee	1	MX$0.00	MX$0.00

Subtotal	MX$0.00
IVA (16%)	MX$0.00

Total	MX$0.00

Towing Invoice Generator

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Free towing invoice generator & template

What should a towing invoice include?

Towing invoice vs. vehicle recovery invoice

FAQs about towing invoices