You’re stuck. A car you don’t recognize is sitting across your driveway and you can’t get in or out. Here’s the short version: who you call depends on whether that car is parked on the public street or on your private property.
If the car is blocking your driveway from the street
A vehicle parked across your driveway apron, on the public street, is a police matter. Only the San Antonio Police Department can order a tow from a public street. Call SAPD’s non-emergency line at (210) 207-7273, give them your address, and explain that the car is blocking your driveway access. You cannot legally have a private tow company remove a car parked on a public street just because it’s inconveniencing you. That call to SAPD is your only path.
Be ready to describe the vehicle: make, color, license plate if you can see it, and how long it’s been there. The dispatcher will let you know what happens next.
If the car is on your private property
This is different. If someone parked on your driveway itself, or on a private lot you own or manage, you have more direct options, but there’s a catch: the property needs proper signage before a tow is enforceable.
City Code § 19-391 requires at least one sign at each driveway or curb-cut entrance warning that unauthorized vehicles will be towed. If the property has restricted or reserved parking areas, those need signs at intervals no more than 50 feet apart. Without that signage in place, a towing company generally won’t take the car, and the enforcement isn’t valid.
If your property already has the required signs, you can call a licensed towing company to remove the vehicle. The tow has to be done by a company licensed through TDLR, the state agency that regulates towing in Texas.
If you don’t have signage yet and this keeps happening, that’s worth fixing before the next time it happens. Put up a sign at each driveway entrance so you have a clear path to a tow next time.
What if it’s a repeat problem
Some driveways get blocked over and over, especially in dense neighborhoods, near event venues, or around apartment complexes. If you’re a homeowner dealing with a one-time blocked driveway, the street-versus-property distinction above covers you. If you manage a property with a recurring parking problem, proper signage under § 19-391 is what makes a repeat offender towable going forward instead of just an ongoing headache.
One more thing worth knowing: Texas law does not allow an apartment complex to tow a vehicle just because its registration or inspection sticker is expired. Towing there is limited to real obstructions, tow-away zones, and similar posted violations.
Don’t try to move it yourself
It’s tempting to just push a car out of the way or nudge it with your own vehicle. Don’t. That’s how people get hurt, and it can leave you liable for damage to a car that isn’t yours. Let the right authority, SAPD for the street or a licensed tow company for your posted property, handle the removal.
When you need a tow yourself
If you’re the one who needs a vehicle moved, whether it’s your own car after a breakdown or you’re a property owner ready to call a licensed operator, Quick Tow San Antonio can help you get connected. Call (210) 791-9982 and we’ll dispatch a tow to your location. We’re a dispatch service connecting you to a local towing partner; the operator that arrives does the actual tow.
Frequently asked questions
Can I call a tow truck myself for a car blocking my driveway from the street? No. Only SAPD can order a tow from a public street. Call their non-emergency line at (210) 207-7273 and let them handle it.
What if I don’t know whose car it is? You don’t need to know. Give SAPD the location and vehicle description and they’ll take it from there.
Do I need a sign to have a car towed from my own driveway? Yes, if you want the tow enforceable and want a towing company to actually take the car. City Code § 19-391 requires a sign at each driveway or curb-cut entrance.
How far apart do the signs need to be for a bigger lot? Restricted or reserved parking areas need signage at intervals no more than 50 feet apart under § 19-391.
Can an apartment complex tow me for an expired registration sticker? No. Texas law specifically prohibits towing for expired registration or inspection stickers alone. Towing is limited to real violations like blocking access or parking in a posted tow-away zone.
What if the car is gone by the time SAPD arrives? Let the dispatcher know when you call back or follow up. They can update or close the report based on the current situation.