Rules
Towed in El Paso? How to Find and Get Your Car Back
If El Paso Police towed your car, it most likely went to the City of El Paso Municipal Vehicle Storage Facility at 11615 Railroad Drive, El Paso, TX 79934. Call (915) 212-0205 or search the facility's online list. The lot is open 24 hours, 7 days a week. Bring a valid photo ID plus your registration, title or insurance, and call first to check for a hold.
How do I find out if my car was towed in El Paso?
You come out of work on Montana Avenue and your spot is empty. Don't report it stolen yet. First, find out if police took it.
The El Paso Police Department sends its tows to one city lot. The lot keeps a database of every car stored there. You can search it on the facility's website, or call (915) 212-0205. The phone line works any time, since the lot never closes.
Not on the list? Then think about where you parked.
- A store, apartment or office lot: this is likely a private property tow. Look for the tow-away sign. Texas rules say the phone number on that sign is how you find your car.
- A city street or the freeway: call the EPPD non-emergency line at (915) 832-4400 and ask.
- Nobody has it: report it stolen. Stolen cars that police recover also end up at the city lot, so check the list again later.
Why would El Paso Police tow my car?
EPPD lists the usual reasons on its towing page:
- You parked illegally, or the car looked abandoned.
- You were in a crash, or the car wasn't safe to drive.
- The driver was arrested or had no driver's license.
- The registration was expired.
The city lot adds one more: an officer can impound a car at their discretion. The expired tag one stings, because it's so easy to fix ahead of time. Check the sticker on your windshield tonight.
Where is the El Paso impound lot, and when is it open?
| Name | City of El Paso Municipal Vehicle Storage Facility |
|---|---|
| Address | 11615 Railroad Drive, El Paso, TX 79934 |
| Phone | (915) 212-0205 |
| Hours | Open 24 hours, 7 days a week |
A private company runs the lot for the city. That's normal, and it's still the city's lot. The EPPD towing page links to it. Fees, payment and paperwork all come from the facility's own page.
Being open around the clock is a real help here. You can claim the car after a night shift at Fort Bliss or on a Sunday morning. You don't have to burn a weekday.
What do I need to get my car out of the El Paso impound?
Call (915) 212-0205 before you go. Some cars have a "hold" and can't be released yet. A wasted trip across town is no fun. Then bring these:
- A valid photo ID issued by the federal government or a state
- One of these: your registration, title or proof of insurance
- Enough to pay the balance owed
The lot also accepts a power of attorney, a court order or a rental agreement in some cases. It takes cash, Discover, Mastercard and Visa. Cards carry an extra government fee, so cash costs a little less.
Look up what you owe in the online list first. The facility says those charges are only good through midnight that day. Storage keeps adding up, so go as soon as you can.
Can someone else pick up my car?
Yes, but call first. If you're not the registered owner on the title, the lot will tell you what extra papers to bring. Your cousin can't just show up with your keys.
What if my only ID is from Mexico?
Texas rules for licensed storage lots accept a photo ID from a foreign government. That includes a Mexico driver's license or a matricula consular. The city lot's own page lists federal or state ID. Call (915) 212-0205 and ask before you make the drive.
What are my rights at a Texas storage lot?
The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) licenses storage lots and tow companies. Its rules give you a few rights that many people don't know about:
- You can get into your car for free to grab your ownership papers.
- You can take out your personal things for free, unless police say no.
- You can see a copy of the tow ticket.
- If police started the tow, the lot can't make you sign a form for a tow or repair.
There are limits, too. You can't remove parts that are attached to the car while it sits at the lot. And you can't drive it out without paying.
What if a private lot towed me?
Texas gives you rights in the parking lot, before the truck leaves. If the driver hasn't fully hooked up your car, you can keep it with no charge. If it's fully hooked up but still in the lot, you can keep it by paying a drop fee.
Think a private tow was wrong, or you were overcharged? You can ask for a tow hearing at any Justice of the Peace court in El Paso County. You must ask within 14 days of the tow. You can also call TDLR at (800) 803-9202.
Can a tow truck just show up at my crash in El Paso?
Not anymore. A city ordinance took effect on June 1, 2026. A tow company can't come to a crash scene for a nonconsent tow unless police, the owner, the driver or the insurer called it. It also can't hand out cards or pitch its services at the scene.
So if a truck rolls up to your fender bender on I-10 and nobody called it, you don't have to use it. Choose your own tow. If the car still drives, Texas law tells you to move off the freeway after a damage-only crash. Pull onto the Gateway Boulevard frontage road or the nearest cross street.
What if my car won't start when I pick it up?
This happens. A car that sat in the sun on Railroad Drive for a few days may have a dead battery. Or it was towed after a crash and can't be driven at all.
Once the lot releases it, you can call for help. A car tow can take it from the lot to your home or a repair shop. If it just needs power, a jump start may get you rolling. Tell the dispatcher you're at the city impound lot on Railroad Drive and where the car is going.
Does Sentinel do impounds?
No. Sentinel doesn't do impounds or private property tows, and only the lot can release your car. Our part starts after it's released.
Sentinel Towing is a towing and roadside network. A vetted local partner tow company does the job. We lock your price by text before anyone is sent, and we check on you by text until help arrives. That's our Stay-With-You Promise. You can also track your truck on a map.
If the car dies again on Loop 375 or the Patriot Freeway on the way home, turn on your hazards. If anyone is hurt or you're stuck in a live lane, call 911 first. For more on El Paso roads, see our El Paso towing page.
Stuck right now? Call 1-888-TOW-1213, or request help online.
El Paso Impound Questions
Is the El Paso impound lot open on weekends?
Yes. The city's storage lot at 11615 Railroad Drive is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can claim your car any time. Call (915) 212-0205 first to make sure it has no hold.
Can I get my stuff out of my car without paying?
Under Texas storage lot rules, yes. You can remove your personal items for free, unless police say you can't. You can't take off parts attached to the car.
What happens if I never pick up my car?
The city lot holds public online auctions on the second Tuesday of every month. Storage keeps adding up while you wait. If you want the car, claim it soon.
Who do I call if a private lot towed my car?
Call the number on the tow-away sign where you parked. If you think the tow was wrong, ask a Justice of the Peace court in El Paso County for a tow hearing within 14 days.
Rules change, so check the official source before you rely on it. Sources: El Paso Police: Vehicle Towing, City Vehicle Storage Facility page, El Paso City Code Chapter 12.54 amendment, TDLR: Consumer Information about Towing, TDLR: Access to a Vehicle, Texas Transportation Code 550.022.
