For a price to any address, call Miller’s Towing & Recovery at 316-351-4754. Tell the dispatcher where the car is and where it is going, and you get the total before we hook up.

How Far Will a Tow Truck Go? It Depends Who Pays

The insurance figure is from Progressive’s guide to towing coverage. Other insurers set their own limits, so read your policy or call your agent.

5 Things That Decide How Far Your Car Gets Towed

1. Your coverage limit

Roadside plans are built around short tows. An entry level motor club plan may cover only a few miles. Higher levels cover much longer trips. If your shop is 22 miles away and your plan covers 15, you pay the driver for the last 7. Ask the dispatcher what the overage costs per mile before you pick the destination.

2. The per mile rate

A tow price has two main parts: a hook up fee and a per mile charge. The hook up fee is the same for one mile or fifty. The mileage is what grows. On a long tow, a small difference in the rate adds up, so get the rate and the total. Our guide to the real cost of towing in Wichita shows how the parts fit together.

3. How the miles are counted

Some companies charge only for the miles your car is on the truck. Some also charge for the drive out to you when you are far from their yard. Neither is wrong, but you should know which one you are getting. Ask: “Is mileage from pickup to drop off, or from your yard?”

4. The kind of truck

For anything past a short hop, a flatbed is the right tool. All four wheels are off the road, so there is no wear on your tires or drivetrain. For all wheel drive cars, all four wheels must be off the road at any distance. See can you tow an AWD car.

5. State lines

A tow truck can take your car to Oklahoma or Missouri if you ask. What it cannot do is take it out of Kansas without consent. K.S.A. 8-1103 says a tow company shall not tow a vehicle to a location outside Kansas without the consent of the owner, the motor club or the insurance company.

Example: How Far Will a Tow Truck Go on a 15 Mile Plan?

Say your roadside plan covers 15 miles and your shop is 22 miles away. The plan pays the hook up and the first 15 miles. You pay the driver for the other 7 miles at the company’s per mile rate. If that rate were $5, the overage would be $35. Ask for the real rate before the truck rolls, and ask if the plan requires the tow to go to the nearest shop.

How Far Will a Tow Truck Take an Impounded Car?

A police ordered tow or a private property tow ends at the tow yard. You do not pick that destination. Once you have paid and the car is released, the next trip is yours to arrange. If it cannot be driven, see moving a car from a tow yard to a body shop.

Rough Distances From Wichita

These are approximate driving miles from central Wichita. Your actual mileage depends on the pickup and drop off addresses.

A tow to Derby or El Dorado is an everyday job. See our guides to K-15 and K-254. A tow to another city is planned ahead. Read about our long distance towing.

How Far Should You Tow It?

The better question is where the car needs to end up. Each extra stop is another tow.

• Tow it once. Send the car straight to the shop that will fix it. A tow home tonight and a second tow to the shop tomorrow costs two hook up fees.
• Call the shop first. Make sure they have room and can take a drop off after hours. See towing a car to a repair shop in Wichita.
• Stay inside your coverage if you can. If two good shops are 8 and 20 miles away and your plan covers 15, the closer one saves you money.
• Do not send it to a tow yard by default. Storage is charged by the day. Your driveway is free.
• Out of town? Compare. Fixing the car where it broke down and driving it home can cost less than a long tow. Get both numbers.

More Questions About Tow Distance

How far will a tow truck take you, not just the car?

You can usually ride along to the drop off if there is a seat and a seat belt. See can you ride in a tow truck with your car.

How far will a tow truck go for free?

Only as far as a plan you already pay for covers. Check your auto policy, your motor club card and your credit card benefits. Beyond that limit, the tow is charged by the mile.

How far will a tow truck travel to pick me up?

Most local companies cover their metro area and the nearby towns. For a pickup well outside Wichita, ask how the trip out is charged.

Is there a maximum distance?

Not by law for a tow you request. The practical limit is cost. For very long moves, compare a tow with a car shipping service.

Can I change the destination after the car is loaded?

Yes, but tell the driver right away and ask for the new total. More miles means a higher price.

Can I book a long tow ahead of time?

Yes, and you should. See how to schedule a tow in Wichita.

Get a Price to Your Exact Address

How far will a tow truck take your car? As far as you ask. Call Miller’s Towing & Recovery at 316-351-4754 with the pickup and the drop off. We provide towing services in Wichita, KS day and night, and you get the total before we hook up.

The rules below come from the Wichita Police Department’s Records Bureau page. Private tow yards can have their own steps, so call the lot before anyone makes the trip.

What the Wichita Police Department Requires

The Records Bureau lists what it takes to claim an impounded vehicle:

• Current registration. The page cites state law, K.S.A. 8-1103.
• Valid government issued photo ID. A driver’s license, state ID, military ID or passport.
• Payment of the impound fees.
• If the vehicle is registered to another person: a notarized Vehicle Release Form from the registered owner granting permission. The bureau says the form is available at Property and Evidence.

The bureau also posts the hours. Its impound line, 316-268-4303 or 316-268-4396, is answered Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tow lot hours to the public are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

5 Rules for Having Someone Pick Up Your Towed Car

1. The registered owner has to give permission in writing

A phone call to the lot is not enough. Neither is a text or a handwritten note. For a Wichita police impound, the permission goes on the Vehicle Release Form.

2. The form has to be notarized

A notary watches the owner sign and checks the owner’s ID. Many banks notarize for their customers, and shipping stores and law offices offer it for a small fee. The owner signs in front of the notary, not before.

3. The helper brings their own photo ID

The lot has to match the person at the counter to the name on the release form. A valid, unexpired government ID is the standard.

4. The registration still has to be current

The release form does not replace the registration. If the tags are expired, renew them first at the county tag office, or ask the Records Bureau what it will accept.

5. The fees are paid at pickup

Whoever picks up the car pays the tow and storage, unless the owner was approved for the city’s plan. Ask the lot what payment types it takes. See do tow trucks take credit cards for how payment usually works.

Common Situations

Before Someone Can Pick Up Your Towed Car: Steps for the Owner

1. Find the car. Confirm which lot has it and whether it was a police impound or a private tow. See how to find your towed car in Wichita.
2. Call and ask what the lot needs from a person who is not the owner. Write down the name of who you spoke with.
3. Get the Vehicle Release Form for a police impound. Fill it in, and sign it in front of a notary.
4. Hand over the packet: the notarized form, the current registration and the keys.
5. Ask for the total as of today and the daily storage rate, so your helper brings enough.

Step by Step for the Helper

1. Bring the notarized form, the registration, your own photo ID and payment.
2. Bring the keys. If there are none, read how a car is towed without keys.
3. Go during lot hours. The city lists 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.
4. Walk around the car before you leave and take photos.
5. Get an itemized receipt and give it to the owner.

If the car cannot be driven, it will need a tow from the lot. See moving a car from a tow yard to a body shop.

What About Private Property Tows?

The rules above are for vehicles impounded by Wichita police. A car towed from an apartment or store lot is held by a private tow company. State law still requires proof of ownership, and most yards ask for the same things: the registration, a photo ID and written, notarized permission if the person at the counter is not the owner. To let someone pick up your towed car from a private yard, call first and ask what the yard needs.

For what those tows involve, see can your apartment complex tow your car in Wichita.

If You Disagree With the Fees

The Records Bureau says you have five business days after the vehicle is impounded to obtain a hearing to protest the fees, through Wichita Municipal Court at 316-268-4629. The city also has a payment plan for owners who qualify. Read how the Wichita impound payment plan works. The application has its own five day deadline.

More Questions About Who Can Pick Up Your Towed Car

Can a friend pick up your towed car without a notarized form?

Not for a Wichita police impound when the car is registered only to you. The Records Bureau asks for the notarized Vehicle Release Form. Without it, expect the lot to turn your friend away, and you will pay for another day of storage.

Does the helper need a driver’s license?

To drive the car off the lot, yes, and the car needs current insurance. If the helper is not licensed or the car is not insured, have it towed from the lot.

Can my spouse pick up my towed car?

If both names are on the registration, either of you can go. If only your name is on it, your spouse needs the notarized release.

Can someone just get my things out of the car?

That is a different question with different rules. See getting your belongings out of a towed car in Kansas.

What if nobody picks it up?

Storage keeps adding up, and the vehicle can be sold after the notice steps in state law. See how long a tow company can keep your car.

What does the full release process look like?

Read what you need to get your car out of impound in Wichita.

Need the Car Moved From the Lot?

Once someone is cleared to pick up your towed car, it may still need a ride. Call Miller’s Towing & Recovery at 316-351-4754. We provide towing services in Wichita, KS and can take it from the lot to your home or a shop. You get the price before we hook up.

These two southeast side neighborhoods grew up around the aircraft plants. They sit close together, but one is inside Wichita and the other is not. That changes who shows up after a crash and which parking rules apply.

The Two Neighborhoods at a Glance

• Planeview is in southeast Wichita around 31st Street South and Oliver, near George Washington Boulevard. It was built during World War II as housing for defense workers. The Active Age reports that it housed more than 20,000 workers and family members and stayed outside the city limits until 1955.
• Oaklawn sits on the west side of K-15 at 47th Street South. It is an unincorporated community in Sedgwick County, not part of Wichita. The 2020 census counted 2,880 residents in the Oaklawn and Sunview area, and it is served by the Derby school district, according to its Wikipedia entry.

K-15, which locals also call Southeast Boulevard, ties both to the plants, to McConnell Air Force Base and to Derby.

6 Things to Know About Towing in Planeview and Oaklawn

1. Name the corner or a landmark

Planeview’s streets curve, and many look alike. A street name alone is slow. Give the cross street, a school, a church or a store you can see. In Oaklawn, say which side of 47th Street South you are on.

2. City on one side, county on the other

Planeview is inside Wichita, so Wichita police respond and Wichita rules apply. Oaklawn is unincorporated, so the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office handles calls there. After a crash in Wichita, police policy lets you request your own tow company. In the county, ask the deputy how a tow request works. Either way, you can tell the officer which company you want. See choosing your own tow company after an accident.

3. Street parking has a clock in Planeview

Lots here are small, and many cars park at the curb. The City of Wichita’s parking FAQ says it is illegal to leave a vehicle on the street for more than 48 hours. A dead car at the curb in Planeview is on that clock. Read how long a car can be parked on the street in Wichita. Oaklawn follows county rules, so check with Sedgwick County.

4. Shift change fills K-15

The plants and the base put a lot of cars on K-15, George Washington Boulevard and 31st Street South at the same hours each day. If you break down in that rush, turn on your hazard lights at once and stay buckled in until there is a gap. Our guide to towing on K-15 covers the highway itself.

5. The Turnpike is right there

Kansas Turnpike exit 45 meets K-15 next to Oaklawn. If you break down on the toll road or its ramps, dial *KTA (*582) first. See what to do on the Kansas Turnpike near Wichita.

6. Apartment and store lots are posted

Both areas have apartment complexes and small shopping lots with tow away signs. A posted private lot does not use the 48 hour street rule. If your car was towed from one, read can your apartment complex tow your car and how to find your towed car in Wichita.

Common Calls on This Side of Town

Most towing in Planeview and Oaklawn falls into a few kinds of calls.

A dead battery is often fixed on the spot. See our jump start service.

A Tow Now Is Cheaper Than an Impound Later

A car that sits too long on a Wichita street can be tagged and towed by the city. Then you owe a tow fee and daily storage before you get it back. A short tow you arrange yourself, to your driveway or a shop, avoids all of that.

If money is the reason the car has not moved, call and ask for the price of the shortest useful trip. Towing to the closest safe spot keeps the mileage down. If your car has already been impounded by Wichita police, read about the Wichita impound payment plan. It has a five day deadline.

Where the Car Goes Next

You choose the drop off. From here the common choices are a repair shop on the south side, a shop in Derby, your driveway or our yard at 4309 S Broadway. Ask about storage charges before you send a car to any yard. For base related tows, see towing near McConnell AFB.

What to Tell Us When You Call

• The nearest corner or landmark, and if you are in Planeview or Oaklawn
• Year, make and model, and if it is all wheel drive
• What is wrong: will not start, flat tire, crash, no keys
• If the car is on the street, in a driveway or in a lot
• If it rolls and steers
• Where it is going

Questions About Towing in Planeview and Oaklawn

How fast can a truck get here?

It depends on traffic, weather and how many calls are ahead of yours. Our yard is on South Broadway, a few miles west. We give you an honest ETA when you call.

How much does towing in Planeview cost?

The price has a hook up fee and a per mile rate, plus any charge for nights or special equipment. Call for the total before the truck is sent. See the real cost of towing in Wichita.

Is Oaklawn part of Wichita?

No. It is an unincorporated community in Sedgwick County. The Sheriff’s Office handles law enforcement there, and county rules apply.

Who do I call about an abandoned car on my street?

In Planeview, report it to Wichita police through the non emergency line. In Oaklawn, call the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office non emergency line. Give the address, the plate and how long the car has been there. Call 911 only if it is blocking traffic.

Can I pay with a card?

Yes. Miller’s takes credit cards and debit cards. See do tow trucks take credit cards.

Do you tow to Derby?

Yes. See our Derby towing page.

Call for Towing in Planeview or Oaklawn

For towing in Planeview, Oaklawn or anywhere on the southeast side, call Miller’s Towing & Recovery at 316-351-4754. We are a local tow company in Wichita, KS, and we answer 24 hours a day.

If the mower is too heavy to push, stuck on a slope or needs to go to a repair shop, Miller’s Towing & Recovery can haul it on a flatbed. Call 316-351-4754.

Why You Cannot Just Tow It

If you try to move a zero turn mower with a rope and a pickup, you risk a second repair bill. A zero turn mower has no gearbox with a neutral. Each rear wheel is driven by its own hydrostatic pump and motor. With the engine off, the oil in that system holds the wheels. Drag the mower and you force oil through parts that are not turning under power.

Toro’s TimeCutter Z operator’s manual is blunt about it: always push the machine by hand, and never tow the machine because damage may occur. Other brands give similar warnings. Check the manual for your model before you move it.

5 Steps to Move a Zero Turn Mower That Won’t Start

1. Rule out the simple causes

A lot of “dead” mowers are not broken. Before you push anything, check that:

• The blade switch is off
• Both steering levers are fully out in the park position
• The parking brake is set, since many mowers will not crank without it
• You are sitting on the seat, so the safety switch is closed
• The fuel valve is open and there is fresh gas in the tank
• The battery terminals are tight and clean

2. Release the parking brake

Once you are ready to push, the brake has to come off. Chock a wheel first if you are on any kind of slope.

3. Open the bypass valves

Every zero turn has a way to let the drive wheels roll free. On the Toro TimeCutter, the manual says to move the two bypass levers forward and then outward to lock them in place. On other brands they may be rods or levers near the rear frame or on each transaxle. There are two, one per side. Open both.

4. Push slowly on level ground

Push at a slow walk, with a helper if you have one. A residential zero turn weighs several hundred pounds, and a commercial one can weigh well over a thousand. Do not push it across a slope. It has no brakes while it is in bypass.

5. Close the bypass valves when you are done

Put both levers back before anyone tries to start or drive the mower. If you forget, the engine will run and the mower will not move.

What About a Riding Lawn Tractor?

The idea is the same, with one release, not two.

Loading It on a Trailer

This is where people get hurt. A mower that will not run cannot drive up the ramps, and pushing one up a ramp by hand is dangerous.

• Use one full width ramp. Toro’s manual says to use a single, full width ramp only, with a ramp angle of no more than 15 degrees. Two narrow ramps let a caster wheel drop between them.
• Winch it, do not push it. Nobody should stand behind or below a mower on a ramp.
• Strap it at four points to the frame, not to the steering levers or the deck.
• Follow Kansas load rules. The Kansas Highway Patrol’s trailering guide says loads must be secured so nothing can drop or shift off, and that a ball hitch or pintle connection needs safety chains strong enough to hold if the hitch fails.

For more on trailers and what the state requires, see can a tow truck tow a trailer.

When to Call a Flatbed to Move a Zero Turn Mower

Pushing works for a short, flat trip to the shed. It does not work for everything. Call for a haul when:

• The mower has to go to a dealer or small engine shop across town
• You do not own a trailer, or your ramps are too steep or too narrow
• The mower is at the bottom of a slope, in mud or near a pond bank
• A tire is flat or off the rim, so it will not roll even in bypass
• It is a heavy commercial mower and you are working alone
• A lawn crew’s mower died on a job and the trailer is already full

A flatbed tilts to the ground, and the winch pulls the mower up the deck with nobody behind it. Read more about our mower and tractor towing in Wichita.

What to Tell Us When You Call

• The brand and type: zero turn, lawn tractor or compact tractor
• Deck width, which tells us the overall size
• If it rolls with the bypass valves open
• If any tire is flat
• Where it sits: driveway, backyard, field or job site, and if there is a gate
• Where it is going

Gate width matters. A 60 inch deck does not fit through a 48 inch gate, and the flatbed cannot drive across a soft yard. Tell us how far the mower is from the street.

Questions About How to Move a Zero Turn Mower

Can you move a zero turn mower in neutral?

A zero turn has no neutral gear to select. The bypass valves do that job. With both open, the wheels roll free.

Can I pull it with my truck for a short distance?

The manuals say no. Toro’s wording is to never tow the machine because damage may occur. Push it by hand or put it on a trailer or flatbed.

Why will my mower not roll even with the bypass open?

Check that both valves are open, the parking brake is off and no tire is flat. If one wheel still drags, the drive on that side may have failed, and the mower should be lifted or hauled.

Can a tow truck haul a riding mower?

Yes. It rides on the flatbed like a small car. We also move compact tractors and small equipment.

What does it cost?

Pricing has a hook up fee and mileage, the same as a car. See the real cost of towing in Wichita, and ask for the total before the truck is sent. A planned pickup can be booked ahead. See how to schedule a tow.

Need a Mower Hauled in Wichita?

If you cannot move a zero turn mower by hand, do not drag it. Call Miller’s Towing & Recovery at 316-351-4754. Equipment hauling is part of our towing services in Wichita, KS, and you get the price before we hook up.

The fix is simple. Only let your car go with a company that you, your insurer or the police called. This guide covers the warning signs, what to say at the scene, and the Wichita and Kansas rules on your side.

What Is a Bandit Tow?

AAA describes it this way on its bandit tow advisory: predatory or bandit towing is when a tow operator charges outrageous fees, holds vehicles hostage and uses deceptive tactics to extort money from drivers.

The National Insurance Crime Bureau has warned about the pattern for years. In a 2020 alert, it said drivers shaken by a crash are pressured into signing blank authorization forms. Charges are then added for services that were never done or never needed. Some operators work with body shops to run the bill up. The Bureau said victims lose hundreds to thousands of dollars getting their vehicles back.

7 Warning Signs of a Tow Truck Scam

1. Nobody called them

This is the big one. A truck that appears within minutes of a crash, before you or the officer has called anyone, was not sent for you. Maryland’s insurance regulator lists uninvited arrival as the first red flag.

2. Pressure to decide right now

“We have to move it now.” “Police told us to take it.” A real operator can wait while you call your insurer or ask the officer.

3. No price in writing

The Bureau’s advice is to demand printed pricing before you authorize a tow. If the driver will not give a total, or says “we will work it out later,” stop there.

4. A blank or unreadable form

Never sign a form with empty lines for the price, the destination or the storage rate. A signature on a blank form can be turned into permission for almost anything.

5. The truck and the paperwork do not match

Check that the company name on the truck door matches the name on the form. If the truck has no markings at all, ask for identification.

6. Questions about your insurance or your lender

A tow driver needs your location and your destination. The Bureau says not to give insurance or lender information to an operator you did not call.

7. Vague answers about where the car is going

You should know the exact address before the car leaves. Be careful if the driver pushes one body shop you have never heard of, or will not name the storage lot.

How to Stop a Tow Truck Scam at the Scene

1. Call 911 if there are injuries or the cars are blocking traffic.
2. Decide who tows. Call a company you choose, call your insurer’s roadside line, or let the officer call from the city list.
3. Turn away any truck you did not call. “No thanks, my tow is on the way” is enough.
4. If a driver will not leave or gets pushy, tell the officer. The Bureau notes that any legitimate tow operator will satisfy your concerns.
5. Get the price, the destination and the company name in writing before the car is hooked up.
6. Take photos of the truck, its plate, the driver’s paperwork and your car.
7. Take your things. Phone, wallet, keys, garage opener, medicine and registration.

How Wichita’s Rules Help

We have not seen data showing bandit towing is common here, and local rules make the classic version harder to pull off.

• Police control the scene. Under Wichita Police Department policy, a crash tow goes to the company the owner requests or to the next company on the city’s rotation list. A truck that just shows up is neither. See choosing your own tow company after an accident.
• Tow companies need a state certificate. K.S.A. 66-1330 requires wrecker and towing services to hold a certificate from the Kansas Corporation Commission.
• Storage fees need written notice. Under K.S.A. 8-1103, a tow company must give the driver written notice that storage will be charged, or its lien for storage is not valid.
• Your car cannot leave the state. The same statute bars towing a vehicle to a location outside Kansas without consent.
• Tows you did not ask for have price rules. See consent and non consent tows in Kansas.

The warning signs of a tow truck scam still matter. Pressure tactics can show up anywhere, and Wichita drivers travel to cities where the problem is well documented.

If Your Car Is Already Being Held

1. Find out who has it and where. Start with how to find your towed car in Wichita.
2. Call your insurer the same day. If there is a claim on the crash, the adjuster deals with tow yards all the time and may move the car for you.
3. Ask for an itemized bill. Every charge on its own line, with dates.
4. Get the car out quickly. Storage is charged by the day. See moving a car from a tow yard to a body shop.
5. Dispute what is wrong. Follow the steps in how to dispute a towing bill in Wichita.
6. Report it. The Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Consumer Protection Division handles deceptive trade practices and fraud. Its number is 316-660-3700. Tell the police too if you believe a crime took place.

What a Normal Tow Looks Like

Questions About a Tow Truck Scam

Can I refuse a tow truck at a crash scene?

Yes. If you did not call it and the officer did not call it, you can say no.

What if the officer called the tow?

Then it came from the city’s list, and that is a normal police tow. You can still ask for the price sheet and where the car is going.

How do I check a tow company?

Look for a marked truck, a local address, a working phone number and reviews under the same name. Ask if the company holds a Kansas Corporation Commission certificate.

Is a high bill always a scam?

No. Heavy recovery work, long distances and many days of storage add up. A scam involves deception: a tow you did not approve, charges for work not done or a refusal to release the car. If you are unsure, compare the bill to how towing is normally priced in Wichita.

Choose Your Tow Before You Need It

The best defense against a tow truck scam is knowing who you would call. Save Miller’s Towing & Recovery in your phone: 316-351-4754. We are a local tow company in Wichita, KS with a yard at 4309 S Broadway and marked trucks, and you get the price before we hook up.

We work on the shoulders of Kellogg, I-135 and K-96 every day, so this law is personal to us. Here is what it says, what it costs to ignore it and how it protects you during a breakdown.

What the Kansas Move Over Law Requires

The core rule is in K.S.A. 8-1530. When you approach a stationary emergency vehicle that is using its lights:

• On a road with two or more lanes going your way: proceed with due caution and, if it is possible and safe for the road, weather and traffic, change into a lane that is not next to the stopped vehicle.
• If you cannot change lanes, or the road has one lane each way: proceed with due caution, reduce your speed and keep to a safe speed as you pass.

In plain words: move over if you can, slow down if you cannot.

What Changed in 2025

Governor Laura Kelly signed Senate Bill 8 on March 24, 2025, according to the Governor’s office. The bill extends the same duty to any stationary vehicle displaying hazard warning lights. KAKE reported that it took effect July 1, 2025, and that the law had covered emergency vehicles, tow trucks and garbage trucks before the change.

The Governor’s announcement gave the reason in one number: 82 crashes from 2018 to 2023 involved vehicles on the side of the road. AAA Kansas pushed for the bill. Its spokesman, Shawn Steward, told KAKE that AAA has had tow truck drivers struck and injured or killed along the roadside.

5 Rules Under the Kansas Move Over Law

1. Flashing lights on the shoulder mean act now

Red and blue, amber or plain hazard flashers all count. You do not have to work out what kind of vehicle it is. If it is stopped and its lights are flashing, the law applies.

2. Move over when you can do it safely

Check your mirror, signal and move one lane away. On six lane parts of Kellogg and I-135 there is usually room. Do not cut off another driver to do it. The statute says “if possible” for a reason.

3. Slow down when you cannot

If traffic boxes you in, or you are on a two lane road like much of rural Sedgwick County, ease off and pass at a safe speed. The law does not name a number. Slow enough to stop if a door opens or a person steps out is the idea.

4. The fine is $75

The Legislature’s supplemental note on Senate Bill 8 says the bill sets a $75 fine for unlawfully passing a stationary vehicle and adds it to the state’s uniform fine schedule as a traffic infraction. Court costs are added on top of a fine in Kansas.

5. It covers you when you break down

This is the part most drivers miss. Your own hazard lights now trigger the law. Turn them on the moment you start to pull over, and leave them on until the tow truck has you loaded.

Who the Kansas Move Over Law Protects

If You Break Down: Make the Law Work for You

1. Hazards on first. Before you brake, before you call anyone.
2. Get right. Pull as far onto the right shoulder as you can. An exit ramp or a parking lot is better still.
3. Stay buckled in. On Kellogg, I-135, I-235 or K-96, stay in the car unless you see smoke or fire.
4. If you must get out, use the door away from traffic and stand behind a guardrail or well off the road.
5. Call for help. Dial 911 if you are in a lane. Use *47 for the Kansas Highway Patrol or *582 on the Turnpike for a stalled car that is not an emergency.
6. Call a tow. Tell the dispatcher your direction and the nearest exit or mile marker.

For highway specific advice, see our guides to the Kansas Turnpike, K-254 and K-15.

Mistakes Drivers Make Near a Stopped Vehicle

• Braking hard at the last second. Ease off early so the driver behind you can react.
• Changing lanes without a mirror check. Moving over into another car helps nobody.
• Moving back too soon. Pass the whole scene, including the tow truck and any police car, before you return to the lane.
• Staring at the scene. Cars drift toward what the driver is looking at. Look where you are going.
• Thinking it only applies to police. It now applies to any stopped vehicle with flashers on.

Why Tow Operators Care So Much

A tow operator loading a car on the shoulder works with their back to traffic for several minutes. They are bent over at the wheels, hooking straps, a few feet from vehicles passing at highway speed. One distracted driver is all it takes.

When you see amber lights ahead, you are looking at someone’s workplace. One lane of space is the difference between a routine job and a tragedy.

Questions About the Kansas Move Over Law

Does Kansas have a Move Over law?

Yes. It is K.S.A. 8-1530, and it was widened by Senate Bill 8 in 2025.

Which vehicles does it apply to?

Emergency vehicles, tow trucks and garbage trucks were already covered. Since July 1, 2025, it applies to any stationary vehicle displaying hazard warning lights.

What is the fine under the Kansas Move Over law?

Senate Bill 8 set a $75 fine for unlawfully passing a stationary vehicle, plus court costs.

Does it apply on city streets or only on highways?

The statute uses the word highway, which in Kansas traffic law means any public road. So it applies on Rock Road and West Street as well as on I-135.

Do I have to move over on a two lane road?

You cannot change lanes there, so the duty is to slow down and pass with caution.

What if moving over is not safe?

Then do not force it. The law says to change lanes if possible. If it is not, reduce speed and pass carefully.

Do other states have the same law?

Every state has some form of Move Over law. The details differ, so when you cross into Oklahoma or Missouri, assume flashing lights on the shoulder mean the same thing.

Where can I read more Kansas rules on towing?

See our plain language guide to Kansas towing laws.

Stuck on the Shoulder?

The Kansas Move Over law gives you some protection. Getting off the shoulder gives you more. Call Miller’s Towing & Recovery at 316-351-4754 for emergency towing in Wichita, 24 hours a day. We are a local tow company in Wichita, KS, and you get the price before we hook up.

K-15 is the main road between southeast Wichita, Derby and Mulvane. Plant workers, airmen from McConnell and Derby commuters all use it. This page covers what is different about a breakdown here and how to get your car moved safely.

K-15 at a Glance

• In Wichita: K-15 runs with I-135 through the city, then splits off on the south side and heads southeast. Locals also know that stretch as Southeast Boulevard.
• Turnpike access: the Kansas Turnpike meets K-15 at exit 45.
• Through Derby and Mulvane: a four lane divided highway with traffic signals at the main cross streets.
• South of Mulvane: K-15 meets K-53, then continues toward Udall and Winfield.
• Nearby: Oaklawn, Planeview, the aircraft plants and McConnell Air Force Base.

Route details are from the K-15 highway entry on Wikipedia, which draws on Kansas Department of Transportation records.

6 Things to Know About Towing on K-15

1. Give a cross street and a direction

K-15 is divided, so the truck has to reach the correct side. Say “southbound, just past 47th Street South” or “northbound, north of Madison in Derby.” If you do not know the cross street, read the dispatcher the blue dot location from your phone’s map.

2. This is signal to signal traffic at highway speed

Between the lights, traffic moves fast. At the lights, it stacks up. A car that dies in a through lane near a signal gets hit from behind more easily than one on an open shoulder. If the car still rolls, coast it onto the shoulder or into a side street or parking lot before it stops for good.

3. Shift change is the busy time

The aircraft plants and the base put a lot of cars on this road at the same hours each day. If you break down during that rush, turn on your hazard lights right away and stay buckled in until traffic has a gap.

4. More than one police agency works this road

Depending on where you stop, the officer may be from Wichita, the Sedgwick County Sheriff, Derby, Mulvane or the Kansas Highway Patrol. Wichita police policy lets you request your own tow company after a crash. Other agencies have their own practice, so ask the officer on scene. You can always tell them which company you want.

5. The Turnpike ramps have their own help line

If you are on the toll road or its ramps at exit 45, dial *KTA (*582) from a cell phone to reach Turnpike dispatch. For what happens next, read what to do on the Kansas Turnpike near Wichita.

6. Hazard lights and the 48 hour clock

Kansas drivers must move over or slow down for any stopped vehicle with flashing lights. KAKE covered that change to the Move Over law in 2025. Your hazard lights are what trigger it.

Do not leave the car for days. Under K.S.A. 8-1102, a vehicle left on a highway for more than 48 hours can be removed by law enforcement, and the owner pays the tow and storage.

Common Calls on K-15

Most towing on K-15 comes from a handful of situations.

A dead battery after work is often fixed on the spot. See our jump start service. For a car in the ditch, see what a winch out costs. If you hit a deer, read what to do after hitting a deer in Kansas.

While You Wait on the Shoulder

1. Pull as far right as you can and turn on your hazard lights.
2. Stay in the car with your seat belt on if traffic is close.
3. If you have to get out, use the door away from traffic and stand well off the road, not between vehicles.
4. At night, turn on the dome light so other drivers can see the car is occupied.
5. Do not try to change a tire on the traffic side. Let the truck block for you.

Where Your Car Can Go

You choose the drop off. Mileage is part of the price, so the closer choice costs less.

• A shop in Derby or Mulvane: often the shortest trip if you broke down south of 63rd Street South.
• A Wichita shop or dealer: common for commuters who work in town.
• Home: a driveway tow is simple and gives you time to pick a shop.
• Our yard: 4309 S Broadway, if you need to decide later. Ask about storage first.

We have pages for Derby and Mulvane, and a guide to towing near McConnell AFB for base access.

What to Tell Us When You Call

• Nearest cross street or signal, and northbound or southbound
• If the car is in a lane, on the shoulder, in the median or in a ditch
• Year, make and model, and if it is all wheel drive
• What happened
• How many people need a ride
• Where the car is going

Questions About Towing on K-15

How long will a tow truck take to reach me?

It depends on where you are, the weather and how many calls are ahead of yours. Our yard is on South Broadway, so the Wichita end of this highway is close to us and Mulvane is a longer run. We give you an honest ETA on the phone.

How much does towing on K-15 cost?

The price has a hook up fee and a per mile rate, plus any charge for nights, a winch out or special equipment. Ask for the total to your exact drop off before the truck is sent. See the real cost of towing in Wichita.

Can I ride with the tow truck to Derby?

Usually, if there is a seat and a seat belt. See can you ride in a tow truck with your car.

My all wheel drive car broke down here. Does it need a flatbed?

Yes. See can you tow an AWD car.

What if my car is on base?

A tow truck needs base access. Read our McConnell guide linked above before you call.

Call for Towing on K-15

For towing on K-15, from the I-135 split to Mulvane, call Miller’s Towing & Recovery at 316-351-4754. We are a local tow company in Wichita, KS, we answer 24 hours a day, and you get the price before we hook up.

If you are standing at a pump in Wichita right now, call Miller’s Towing & Recovery at 316-351-4754. Tell the dispatcher it is a misfuel so the driver knows not to start the car.

5 Steps If You Put the Wrong Fuel in Your Car

1. Stop pumping. The less wrong fuel in the tank, the easier the job.
2. Do not start the engine. Do not turn the key to “on” or press the start button either. On many cars that alone runs the fuel pump.
3. Tell the attendant. Ask for help pushing the car to a parking space. Put it in neutral and steer. Do not drive it there.
4. Call for a tow. The car needs to go to a repair shop. Ask the shop if it can drain a fuel tank before you send the car.
5. Keep your receipt. It shows what fuel went in and how many gallons. The shop will ask.

Both big consumer guides agree on step two. J.D. Power says do not start the vehicle under any circumstance and have it towed. Progressive says do not start the engine and do not drive, because driving raises the damage and the repair cost.

What the Wrong Fuel in Your Car Does

The first three rows are from Progressive’s guide to accidental fueling. Diesel exhaust fluid poured into a diesel fuel tank is a separate and serious mistake. Treat it the same way: do not start, and tow.

How Does Diesel End Up in a Gas Car?

It is harder than the other way around. J.D. Power notes that diesel nozzles are made larger on purpose so they do not fit easily into a gasoline filler neck, and that diesel pumps are generally labeled in green. A smaller gasoline nozzle slides right into a diesel truck’s filler, which is why that mix up is easier to make.

Handle colors are not the same at every brand. Read the label on the pump and the button you press, not just the color of the handle. It is easy to grab the wrong hose at a busy station on Kellogg when you are in a rental car, a borrowed truck or a new diesel.

You Already Drove Away. Now What?

If you drove off with the wrong fuel in your car, it may run for a short time on the good fuel left in the lines. Then the signs show up:

• Sputtering or loss of power
• Knocking
• Smoke from the exhaust
• A check engine light
• The engine stalls and will not restart

Pull over as soon as it is safe, shut the engine off and do not try to restart it. Turn on your hazard lights. If the check engine light is blinking, that is its own warning. See what a flashing check engine light means. Then call for a tow.

What the Repair Costs

J.D. Power gives these ranges for diesel in a gasoline car. The gap between the first row and the last is the reason not to turn the key.

Those are national figures, not a quote. For how a local tow is priced, see the real cost of towing in Wichita.

Will Insurance Pay for It?

Probably not the repair. Progressive says your auto insurance most likely will not cover removing and flushing the wrong fuel. The tow is a different matter. If you carry roadside coverage or a motor club membership, the tow to the shop may be covered up to your limit.

If the station caused the problem, for example with a mislabeled pump, Progressive notes you may be able to recover repair and towing costs. Keep the receipt, take a photo of the pump and its label, and report it to the station manager before you leave.

Why Fuel Delivery Will Not Fix This

Our fuel delivery service is for an empty tank. With the wrong fuel in your car, adding good fuel on top does not solve it. The tank has to be drained. That is shop work, and the car has to get there with the engine off.

What to Tell the Dispatcher and the Shop

• What the car takes and what went in
• About how many gallons of the wrong fuel
• How full the tank was before
• If the engine was started or driven, and how far
• Year, make and model, and if it is all wheel drive
• Which station you are at and which shop the car is going to

If the shop is closed, we can use its key drop. See towing a car to a repair shop in Wichita.

Questions About Putting the Wrong Fuel in Your Car

Is a small amount of the wrong fuel okay?

Do not guess. Call a repair shop, tell them the amounts and follow their advice. Until you have an answer, leave the engine off.

Can I drain the tank myself?

Most modern cars have anti siphon filler necks, and gasoline is dangerous to handle. J.D. Power describes two shop methods: opening a drain or removing the tank. Leave it to a shop.

How long does the repair take?

Ask the shop when you call. A drain and refill is quicker than replacing parts. If the engine ran on the wrong fuel, parts may have to be replaced, and that takes longer.

I filled up with E85 by mistake. Do I need a tow?

Progressive says one tank of E85 in a car that is not flex fuel typically does not cause permanent damage, though the car may run poorly. Call a shop for advice. If the car runs badly or a warning light flashes, stop and tow it.

Wrong Fuel? Leave the Engine Off and Call

With the wrong fuel in your car, the cheapest move is the tow. Call Miller’s Towing & Recovery at 316-351-4754 for towing services in Wichita, KS, day or night. You get the price before we hook up.

The details below come from the City of Wichita’s own impound and towing payment plan page. Rules can change, so read the city page before you apply. Its phone number is 316-268-4375.

The Impound Payment Plan at a Glance

6 Rules to Qualify for the Impound Payment Plan

1. The vehicle must be yours

You have to be the registered owner or the lessee. The city asks for proof of valid registration and ownership and a copy of a valid government issued photo ID. A friend or relative cannot apply for you.

2. It must be a personal application

The plan is for individuals. Businesses are not eligible.

3. The vehicle cannot be on a hold

If police are holding the vehicle for a criminal investigation, it does not qualify until the hold is lifted.

4. You must show economic disadvantage

The city accepts either of two kinds of proof:

• Public assistance. Evidence that you receive benefits such as SNAP, Social Security, KanCare, TANF, LIEAP, WIC, Section 8 housing or unemployment.
• Income. Proof that your household income is at or below 200% of the federal poverty limit.

5. You must apply within five calendar days

Calendar days include weekends. A car towed on a Friday night has already used two days by Monday morning. The application is online, through the “Apply Here” link on the city page.

6. One plan at a time

You cannot be in more than one payment plan at once.

How to Apply for the Impound Payment Plan, Step by Step

1. Find the car. Confirm it was a Wichita police impound and which lot has it. See how to find your towed car in Wichita.
2. Gather three things. Your registration, your photo ID and your proof of benefits or income. Take clear photos or scans.
3. Submit the application. Use the link on the city’s impound page. Do it the same day if you can.
4. Wait for the decision. Keep your phone on. If you have a question, call 316-268-4375.
5. Make the first payment. The city says the first payment is made at the Express Office at City Hall, in person or by phone.
6. Pick up the vehicle right away. You have the day of approval or the next day. Miss that and you lose eligibility. The city also notes that storage fees may apply if pickup is delayed.
7. Keep paying. Later payments can be made by phone, in person or online. If no payment is made within 90 days, the account goes to collections.

A Sample Timeline

The impound payment plan clock does not stop for weekends. Here is how the five day window plays out for a car towed on a Friday night.

• Friday night: the car is impounded.
• Saturday and Sunday: days one and two. Use them to gather your documents and submit the online application.
• Monday: day three. Call 316-268-4375 if you have not heard anything.
• Tuesday: day four.
• Wednesday: day five. The window closes.

Once you are approved, the pickup clock starts. You have that day or the next to get the car.

The Waiver for People Experiencing Homelessness

The city page describes a separate one time fee waiver of up to $600. It is for people registered with the Homeless Management Information System or with the Wichita Police Department’s Homeless Outreach Team. Registration has to happen within five days of the impound.

Why So Few Applications Have Been Approved

The plan has had a slow start. When the City Council reviewed towing rates, KSN reported that 26 people had applied, two had been approved and one person had received a vehicle back under the homelessness waiver. Council members asked what the barriers were and requested a review.

KSN did not list the reasons for each denial. Looking at the rules, the tight spots are easy to see: the five day window, the paperwork and the one day pickup. That is why speed matters more than anything else in this process.

Does It Cover Private Property Tows?

The city page describes vehicles impounded by the Wichita Police Department. KSN’s report said the ordinance covers private property tows and police impounds. If your car was towed from an apartment or business lot, call 316-268-4375 and ask if your tow qualifies before you count on the plan. For the rules on those tows, see can your apartment complex tow your car in Wichita.

If You Do Not Qualify

You still have choices, and all of them work better early.

• Get the total today. Ask the lot for the full amount and the daily storage rate. Then you know what each day of waiting costs.
• Bring the right papers the first time. Read what you need to get your car out of impound.
• Get your must have items. See getting your belongings out of a towed car in Kansas.
• Check the bill. If a charge looks wrong, read how to dispute a towing bill.
• Know the clock. An unclaimed vehicle can be sold after the notice steps in state law. See how long a tow company can keep your car.

Questions About the Impound Payment Plan

How much do I pay each month?

$25 a month for up to 24 months, plus a one time $5 processing fee, according to the city.

What if my fees are more than $600?

The city lists $600 as the maximum. Ask at 316-268-4375 how any amount above that is handled before you sign.

Does the plan lower what I owe?

The city page describes monthly installments and a $600 maximum. It does not describe a discount. Ask the city what your total will be before you agree.

Can someone else apply for me?

The applicant must be the registered owner or lessee. For pickups, ask the lot what it needs.

What happens if I miss payments?

The city says an account with no payment in 90 days goes to collections.

How do I avoid an impound in the first place?

Most street impounds start with a car that sat too long. Read how long a car can be parked on the street in Wichita.

Need a Car Moved Before It Is Impounded?

An impound payment plan helps after the fact. A short tow to your driveway or a shop avoids the impound. Call Miller’s Towing & Recovery at 316-351-4754 for towing in Wichita, KS. You get the price before we hook up.

This guide explains how the rule works, what gets towed sooner, and what to do if your car is the one sitting at the curb. If it will not move under its own power, call Miller’s Towing & Recovery at 316-351-4754 before the city does it for you.

The Wichita Time Limits in One Table

How the 48 Hour Rule Works

The rule itself is short. The City of Wichita’s parking FAQ states that it is illegal to park a vehicle on the street for more than 48 hours under Municipal Code Section 11.97.010(b)(1). It applies to every public street, including the one in front of your own house.

Enforcement follows a set process. Wichita Police Department Policy 404 says a vehicle deemed abandoned on a street gets a green impound sticker with the officer’s ID and the time. Officers may come back and tow it after a 48 hour waiting period.

So the usual sequence is:

1. The car sits on the street past 48 hours.
2. Someone reports it, or an officer notices it.
3. An officer puts a green sticker on it with the date and time.
4. The owner has 48 hours from that time to move it.
5. If it is still there, it is towed to an impound lot at the owner’s expense.

What Gets Tagged

It is not only junk cars. When Wichita police ran a tagging sweep in 2017, KWCH reported that about 200 vehicles were marked. The list included cars that did not run, stored trailers and vehicles without current tags. Each got a bright sticker and 48 hours.

That means a boat trailer, a camper or a work trailer left at the curb falls under the same clock as a car.

What Gets Towed Without the 48 Hour Wait

Policy 404 lists cases where an officer can impound a vehicle right away. They include a vehicle that is:

• Disabled and blocking traffic
• Parked illegally in a way that creates a hazard
• On a snow emergency route
• In a tow zone, with a citation
• Left unattended after the driver is arrested
• Stolen and recovered, or needed as evidence

If your car broke down in a traffic lane, do not count on two days. Get it moved now.

How Long Can a Car Be Parked on the Street in Front of Your House?

The same 48 hours. Owning the house does not give you the curb. If you have more cars than driveway, rotate them. If one of them does not run, the street is the wrong place to store it.

The city FAQ does not spell out how far a car has to move to start a new 48 hours. Rolling it forward a few feet is a gamble. Moving it off the street, or to a different block, is the safe answer.

Your Car Is Dead at the Curb. What Now?

1. Note the time. Your 48 hours started when you parked it.
2. Try the easy fix. A dead battery may only need a jump start.
3. Move it off the street. A short tow to your driveway, a friend’s driveway or a shop ends the problem. See how to schedule a tow in Wichita.
4. If it has a green sticker, read the time on it. That is your deadline. Do not peel it off and hope.
5. Going out of town? Put the car in the driveway or a garage, or leave a key with someone who can move it.

The math favors acting early. An impound adds a tow fee, daily storage and a trip to the lot with your registration and ID. The city does offer help for people who qualify. Its impound page describes a payment plan of $25 a month, but you must apply within five calendar days of the tow.

How to Report a Car That Has Sat Too Long

If a car has been parked on your block for days, report it to the Wichita Police Department through its non emergency line. Give the street address, the make, color and plate, and how long the car has been there. Do not call 911 unless it is blocking traffic or creating a hazard. An officer has to see the car and tag it before anything else happens, so expect at least 48 hours between the sticker and a tow.

If It Was Already Towed

Start with how to find your towed car in Wichita. Then read what you need to get your car out of impound. Go quickly. Storage is charged by the day, and an unclaimed car can be sold after the notice steps in state law. See how long a tow company can keep your car in Kansas.

More Questions About Street Parking

How long can a car be parked on the street without moving?

48 hours in Wichita. After that it can be tagged, and 48 hours after the tag it can be towed.

How long can a car be parked on the street before it is considered abandoned?

Wichita’s street limit is 48 hours, and police policy uses that point to tag a vehicle as abandoned. On a state highway, K.S.A. 8-1102 uses the same 48 hours.

Can a car be parked on the street with expired tags?

Vehicles without current tags were among those tagged in the 2017 sweep. Keep the registration current, or keep the car off the street.

Can a car be parked on the street while I am on vacation?

Not for more than 48 hours. Use your driveway or a garage, or ask someone to move it.

Who pays when a car is towed off the street?

The owner. The tow fee and the daily storage have to be settled before the car is released, unless the owner qualifies for the city payment plan.

Does this apply to private parking lots?

No. A private lot follows the owner’s posted rules. See can your apartment complex tow your car.

Does this apply outside Wichita?

Each city sets its own limit. Derby, Haysville, Eastborough and the county each have their own rules. Check with that city.

Move It Before the Sticker Shows Up

How long can a car be parked on the street in Wichita? 48 hours. If yours cannot move by itself, call Miller’s Towing & Recovery at 316-351-4754. We handle towing in Wichita, KS day and night, and you get the price before we hook up.