# Junk car towing: what to ask before pickup

> Many junk car buyers include towing in their offer, but not all do, so ask whether the price you were quoted is what you'll actually receive after towing and any other fees. Confirm the pickup window, whether you need to be there to sign the title and get paid, and tell the buyer about anything that makes the car hard to reach.

Reviewed 2026-10-12 by the Junk Cars Nation editorial team. Canonical: https://junkcarsnation.com/guides/junk-car-towing/

Towing is part of almost every junk car sale, and it's where most surprises happen. Ask the questions below when you accept an offer, not when the truck is in your driveway.

## Is towing included?

Many junk car buyers include towing in their offer, but there's no rule that they must. Ask it plainly:

> "Is the price you quoted what I'll actually receive, after towing and any other fees?"

Then ask about the fees that sometimes come up:

- **A fee if you turn down the offer at pickup** (sometimes called a trip or dry-run fee)
- **Extra charges for distance**, or for cars that need a winch, dollies or a flatbed
- **Charges for missing keys**, flat tires or a car parked somewhere hard to reach
- **Title or paperwork fees**

Get the answer in writing, by text or email. A written quote that says "towing included, no fees" is what you can point to if the price changes later. See [junk car scams](/guides/junk-car-scams/).

Towing is a real cost for the buyer, so it's part of what they can pay you. Being farther away or harder to reach can lower an offer. See [how junkyards price cars](/guides/how-junkyards-price-cars/).

## When will they come?

- **Ask for a pickup window,** not just a day.
- **Ask how they'll confirm,** whether by a call or text before the driver leaves.
- **Ask what happens if they're late or miss the window,** and whether the price still stands if they reschedule.

## Do you need to be there?

Usually yes, because pickup is when you:

1. Hand over the keys, if you have them
2. Sign the title over with the buyer's name filled in (see [how to sign over a car title](/guides/how-to-sign-over-a-car-title/))
3. Get paid
4. Get a bill of sale or receipt (see [bill of sale for a junk car](/guides/bill-of-sale-for-junk-car/))

If you can't be there, ask the buyer how they handle title and payment in advance, and don't leave a signed title with an open buyer section in the car. A trusted adult can stand in for you if the buyer agrees.

## Tell the buyer how the car can be reached

Give these details when you ask for a quote:

- **Where the car is:** street, driveway, backyard, garage, parking lot or storage lot
- **Access:** gates, low clearance, steep slopes, soft ground, tight turns
- **Condition:** flat or missing tires, missing wheels, no keys, locked steering, a car that won't roll
- **Who can authorize the tow:** if it's on someone else's property or in an apartment lot, get permission ahead of time

A car in a tow yard or impound lot is different. Fees and release rules apply. See [selling an impounded car](/guides/sell-impounded-car/).

## Check that the tow company is legitimate

Some states license tow companies. Texas, for example, requires tow truck companies, tow trucks and operators to be licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, and lets the public verify a license online.[^1] If your state has a lookup, use it. At minimum, get the buyer's business name, address and phone number, and note the truck's company name and plate number.

## At pickup: a short checklist

1. **Confirm the price** before the car is hooked up. If the driver offers less, ask why. If the car matches your description, you can say no.
2. **Get paid** in the agreed form. Don't accept a check for more than the price, and never send money back. The FTC warns that this fake check scam targets car sellers.[^2]
3. **Don't feel rushed.** The FTC notes that pressure to act immediately is a red flag.[^3]
4. **Sign the title** with the buyer's name, date and odometer reading. Photograph both sides.
5. **Get a bill of sale** with the buyer's name, business, phone, the VIN, price and date.
6. **Take a final look** for personal items and remove your toll tag. Clear your data and garage door codes beforehand. The FTC recommends this before selling any car.[^4]
7. **Remove your plates** if your state says so. IRS Publication 4303 advises removing plates before giving away a vehicle unless state law requires otherwise.[^5]

## Right after the tow

File your state's release of liability or transfer notice. California sellers must notify the DMV within 5 calendar days of the sale.[^6] Texas sellers file a vehicle transfer notification within 30 days.[^7] Then handle insurance and registration. See [release of liability](/guides/release-of-liability/) and [canceling insurance and registration after selling](/guides/cancel-insurance-and-registration-after-selling/).

## Delivering the car yourself

If your car runs and is legal to drive, or you can borrow a trailer, some yards may pay more when you drop it off, because they skip the tow. Call first to confirm the price, hours and the paperwork they need. If the car isn't safe or legal to drive, don't. See [selling a car that doesn't run](/guides/sell-car-that-doesnt-run/).

When you're ready, you can [get an offer for your car](/cash-for-junk-cars/) and ask each buyer the towing questions above.

[^1]: Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, "Tow Trucks, Operators and Vehicle Storage Facilities", https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/towing/towing.htm
[^2]: Federal Trade Commission, "Fake check scam targets online car sellers", February 27, 2025, https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2025/02/fake-check-scam-targets-online-car-sellers
[^3]: Federal Trade Commission, "How To Avoid a Scam", https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-avoid-scam
[^4]: Federal Trade Commission, "Selling your car? Clear your personal data first.", June 23, 2022, https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2018/08/selling-your-car-clear-your-personal-data-first
[^5]: Internal Revenue Service, Publication 4303, "A Donor's Guide to Vehicle Donation" (Rev. 1-2015), https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p4303.pdf
[^6]: California DMV, "Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability (NRL)", https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/vehicle-registration/titles/title-transfers-and-changes/notice-of-transfer-and-release-of-liability-nrl/
[^7]: Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, "Buying or Selling a Vehicle", https://www.txdmv.gov/motorists/buying-or-selling-a-vehicle

## Questions people ask

**Is junk car towing free?**

It depends on the buyer. Many build towing into their offer, while others deduct it or charge separately. Ask whether the quoted price is the amount you'll receive after towing.

**Do I need to be there when the tow truck comes?**

Usually, if you're signing the title and getting paid at pickup. Some buyers can arrange a pickup without you, but then you have to sort out the title and payment ahead of time. Ask how they handle it.

**Should I pay to tow my junk car to the yard myself?**

Only if your quotes are noticeably higher when you deliver the car. Compare the extra amount with what a tow would cost you.

**What if the tow truck can't reach my car?**

Tell the buyer about gates, garages, steep driveways, tight streets, flat tires, missing wheels or a locked steering wheel before you book. Surprises can lead to a second trip, a fee or a lower offer.