Tow lot won't accept my card, only cash — is that allowed?

Use the free tool — Tow & Impound Dispute FL

Is "cash only" allowed?

Florida's private-property towing law, Fla. Stat. 715.07, is the statute that Tow & Impound Dispute FL applies to what you describe. Among the things the tool checks is whether cash or card was accepted. That means card acceptance is one of the requirements the law is understood to set for a private-property tow — a lot telling you "cash only" is one of the things that can make a tow look non-compliant.

This is informational only, not legal advice. The tool can't see your actual receipt or the lot's posted payment policy, so it can't give you a legal determination — only a comparison between what you describe and what the law requires.

The full list Florida requires for a private-property tow

Posted signs
A towing company within 10 miles
24-hour release
Posted rates
Cash or card accepted
The county's maximum rates

Tow & Impound Dispute FL checks the tow you describe against this list, including the payment-method point, and flags which parts appear to be missing.

If they still won't take your card

If your car is still held and the lot refuses your card, pay however you can to get the car released — storage fees keep growing every day the car sits there. Keep every receipt and note exactly how you paid and what they told you about payment options. You can pursue a refund afterward if the tow doesn't look compliant.

What this tool can't tell you

It can't see the lot's actual posted signs or payment policy — only what you describe.
It can't verify your county's exact rate schedule; check that with the county.
Police tows and accident tows follow different statutes (316.193/323.002), not 715.07, so this analysis doesn't apply to those.

Confirm any outcome with a professional or the relevant agency before you rely on it, especially if you're deciding whether to dispute a charge.

What to do next

Describe the tow in Tow & Impound Dispute FL — the signs, the distance, the hours, every charge, and exactly how you paid, including whether they accepted your card. The tool reads the numbers and details you type, not a generic script, and shows you which parts of Florida's private-property tow rules this tow does or doesn't seem to meet. If it doesn't look compliant, it can help you generate a refund demand letter to the tow company and property owner. It's free, and available in English and Spanish. This is not legal advice — confirm the outcome with a professional or the county before you file anything.

Use the free tool

Tow & Impound Dispute FL is an informational tool based on Florida Statutes 715.07, 713.78 and county towing ordinances as of 2025–26. It is not legal advice, does not file complaints, and cannot verify rates for your county — check the county's published schedule. Law-enforcement and accident tows are governed by other statutes. It is not affiliated with any tow company, property owner or agency.