The Police Called a Tow Truck. Do You Have to Use It?
You’re standing on the shoulder of I-66 after a fender bender near the Route 123 interchange in Fairfax County. The police officer tells you a tow truck is on the way. You didn’t call one. You don’t know who’s coming. And now you’re wondering: do I have to use this company, or can I call my own?
This is one of the most common questions drivers ask after an accident in Virginia. For more information, see the Virginia State Police. The answer involves understanding the difference between police-dispatched towing and private towing, and knowing your rights under Virginia law.
How Police Tow Rotation Lists Work in Virginia
In Fairfax County, both the Fairfax County Police Department (non-emergency: 703-691-2131) and the Fairfax City Police (703-385-7924) maintain rotation lists of approved towing companies. Virginia State Police also maintain their own list for incidents on I-66, I-495, and other state highways. When an officer needs a tow truck at an accident scene, they call the next company on the list. It’s a round-robin system designed to give equal business to all approved companies in the area.
To get on a police rotation list, towing companies must meet certain requirements. They need proper licensing, insurance, equipment standards, and response time capabilities. In Fairfax County, rotation tow companies must typically respond within 30 minutes of being dispatched.
The system exists for a practical reason: police need to clear accident scenes quickly, especially on busy roads like I-495, Route 50, and the Fairfax County Parkway. Having a pre-approved list means they don’t waste time searching for available tow trucks.
Your Right to Choose in Virginia
Here’s what many drivers don’t know: Virginia law gives you the right to choose your own towing company. You are not legally required to use the police-dispatched tow truck.
Under Virginia Code, vehicle owners have the right to select the towing company and repair facility of their choice. The police can suggest a company, dispatch a company, and even strongly recommend a company, but they cannot force you to use one.
There are exceptions. If your vehicle is evidence in a criminal investigation (like a DUI or hit-and-run), police may impound it and choose where it goes. If your vehicle is an immediate safety hazard blocking traffic and you’re unable to make decisions (unconscious, hospitalized), police will use the rotation company to clear the scene.
But in a standard accident where you’re conscious and present? You choose.
Why This Choice Matters for Your Wallet
The difference between a police-dispatched tow and a private tow often comes down to money and convenience.
Where Your Car Ends Up
Police rotation tow companies typically take your vehicle to their own storage yard. This makes sense from their perspective: they have the facilities, and they earn storage fees. But from your perspective, your car is now sitting in a lot that may not be near your home, your job, or the repair shop you want to use.
When you call your own towing company, like (703) 844-2871, you tell them exactly where to take the vehicle. Directly to the body shop? Done. To your driveway in Oakton? No problem. This eliminates the extra step (and extra cost) of moving the car a second time.
Storage Fees Add Up Fast
Storage yard fees in Fairfax County range from $35 to $75 per day. If your car sits in a rotation company’s lot over a weekend while you figure out insurance and find a repair shop, that’s $100 to $225 in storage fees alone. These fees are technically recoverable through insurance, but the process can be slow, and some policies have limits on storage reimbursement.
By towing directly to a repair shop, you skip storage entirely. The shop starts the repair estimate process right away, your insurance adjuster can inspect it at the shop, and there are no daily fees piling up.
Rate Differences
Police rotation tow rates in Virginia are regulated, but “regulated” doesn’t always mean “cheapest.” Rotation companies charge set rates for the initial hookup and per-mile towing, plus any additional services like winching, dollies, or after-hours fees. Private tow companies set their own rates, which are sometimes more competitive, especially for straightforward tows.
How to Exercise Your Right at the Scene
If you want to use your own towing company after an accident, here’s how to handle it:
- Tell the officer immediately. As soon as the officer mentions dispatching a tow truck, let them know you’d like to call your own company. Be polite but clear.
- Have a number ready. This is crucial. If you don’t have a towing company’s number saved in your phone, you’ll be scrambling to find one while the officer waits. Save (703) 844-2871 in your contacts now, before you ever need it.
- Your company needs to respond promptly. The officer has a scene to clear. If your towing company can’t arrive within a reasonable timeframe (usually 30 to 45 minutes), the officer may insist on using the rotation company to keep traffic moving. Choose a company that operates 24 hours a day and can respond quickly.
- Don’t argue with the officer. If there’s a genuine safety emergency and the officer needs the road cleared immediately, cooperate. You can always have your preferred company pick up the vehicle from the rotation lot afterward.
When Police Towing Is Actually Required
There are specific situations where you don’t get a choice:
- Vehicle impoundment: If your car is being impounded as evidence or due to criminal charges, police control where it goes.
- Abandoned vehicles: If you leave the scene and your vehicle is still there, police will have it towed at their discretion.
- Blocking emergency lanes: On highways like I-66 and I-495, if your vehicle is blocking a travel lane and creating a dangerous backup, police may not wait for your preferred company.
- DUI/DWI arrests: When the driver is arrested, police typically impound the vehicle using a rotation company.
The Fairfax County Towing Landscape
Fairfax County is one of the busiest jurisdictions in Virginia for towing. With major arteries like Route 50 (Lee-Jackson Memorial Highway), Route 29 (Lee Highway), Route 123 (Chain Bridge Road), I-66, and I-495 all running through the county, accidents happen every day. High-traffic areas like Fairfax Circle, the Route 50 corridor near Fair Oaks Mall, and the I-66 interchange at Route 123 generate frequent towing calls.
The Fairfax County Police Department handles thousands of accident calls each year. The Virginia State Police cover the interstate highways running through the county. Each agency has its own rotation list, though some towing companies appear on both.
For drivers, this means there’s no shortage of towing options. The key is having a plan before an accident happens. Drivers in Springfield, Burke, Annandale, and Falls Church should all have a trusted towing company’s number saved and ready.
Fairfax City vs. Fairfax County: Which Police Handle Your Tow?
This trips up a lot of drivers. Fairfax City is an independent city located within Fairfax County, with its own police department and towing policies. If your accident happens within the City of Fairfax boundaries, near Old Town Fairfax, the courthouse, or along the stretch of Route 123 through the city, Fairfax City Police respond. Their non-emergency number is 703-385-7924.
If the accident is anywhere else in the county, including popular areas like Fair Oaks Mall, George Mason University, Fairfax Corner, or the Route 50 corridor outside city limits, Fairfax County Police handle the call. Their non-emergency number is 703-691-2131.
Both departments maintain their own towing rotation lists. But regardless of which agency responds, your right to choose your own tow truck company remains the same under Virginia law.
What About Towing Scams?
Unfortunately, accident scenes attract predatory tow truck operators. These are unlicensed or unscrupulous operators who show up uninvited, hoping to snag a tow. Red flags include:
- A tow truck that arrives before anyone called for one
- A driver who pressures you to sign paperwork immediately
- Refusal to provide a price estimate before loading your vehicle
- No company name or phone number visible on the truck
- Cash-only payment demands
Virginia law requires towing companies to be licensed and to provide clear pricing. If something feels wrong, tell the officer and wait for the company you called or the official rotation company.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the police force me to use their tow truck?
In most standard accident situations, no. You have the right to choose your own towing company in Virginia. The exception is when police are impounding your vehicle for legal reasons or when there’s an immediate safety emergency requiring instant removal.
What if the police tow truck arrives before mine?
If you’ve already told the officer you’re calling your own company and they’re en route, the officer should wait a reasonable amount of time. If your company is taking too long and the scene needs to be cleared, the rotation truck may take the vehicle. You can then arrange a secondary tow from the rotation lot to your preferred destination.
Is police towing more expensive than private towing?
Not necessarily. Police rotation rates are regulated and fairly standard. The extra cost usually comes from storage fees if your car sits in their lot. Private towing directly to a repair shop often saves money overall because you avoid storage entirely.
Do I have to pay the tow truck driver at the scene?
Payment policies vary by company. Some require payment at the scene, others bill you or accept insurance assignment. Ask about payment options when you call. Always get a receipt for your insurance claim.
What if I’m taken to the hospital and can’t deal with the tow?
If you’re transported by ambulance, a family member or friend can coordinate the tow on your behalf. If no one is available, police will use the rotation company to clear the scene. You can sort out the vehicle location once you’re released from the hospital.
Save This Number Before You Need It
The best time to choose a towing company is right now, before you’re ever in an accident. Save (703) 844-2871 in your phone. We provide 24-hour towing throughout Fairfax County, serving Fairfax, Vienna, McLean, Herndon, Reston, Alexandria, and every community in between. When you call, we come to you – and we take your car where you want it to go.