Quick answer: A standard local breakdown tow in Ireland usually costs €80–€150. Longer tows are typically priced as a call-out fee plus around €2–€4 per kilometre. If your car has been seized by Gardaí, it’s far more expensive: since 14 August 2026, it costs €250 to recover the vehicle plus €70 for every extra day it’s held. Breaking down at the worst possible moment is stressful enough without being hit by a bill you didn’t see coming. This guide covers what towing actually costs in Ireland in 2026, whether you’ve broken down, been in an accident, been clamped, or had your car taken by Gardaí.

Towing Costs in Ireland at a Glance (2026)

Situation	Typical Cost
Local breakdown tow (within a town or city)	€80 – €150
Longer-distance tow	Call-out fee + approx. €2 – €4 per km
Night, weekend or bank holiday call-out	Surcharge on top of standard rate
Garda-seized car or van (up to 3,500kg)	€250 first day + €70 per extra day
Garda-seized HGV (over 3,500kg)	€500 first day + €100 per extra day

Breakdown Towing vs. Being Towed Away: Two Very Different Costs

When people search for towing costs, they usually mean one of two things:

1. You need a tow. Your car has broken down, won’t start, or has been in an accident, and you’re paying a recovery company to move it to a garage, your home, or a safe location. Prices are set by the company, so they vary.
2. Your car has been towed. Gardaí or a local authority removed it because it was seized, illegally parked, or causing an obstruction. These fees are set by law, and you have to pay them before you get your car back.

The rest of this guide covers both.

Breakdown Towing Prices by County

Private towing prices depend on how far the truck has to travel, where you’re going, and when you call. Here’s what you can typically expect:

Location	Typical Local Tow	Longer / Complex Recovery
Co. Dublin	€120 – €150	Up to €300+
Co. Kildare	€100 – €150	Up to €280+
Co. Wicklow	€80 – €150	Up to €250+
Co. Cork	€80 – €150	Up to €250+
Co. Galway	€80 – €150	Up to €250+

Dublin tends to sit at the higher end because traffic, access issues and restricted parking in the city centre all add time to a job. If you need a tow in the capital, see our car recovery service in Dublin. For the Naas, Newbridge and wider Kildare area, see our car recovery service in Kildare.

What Affects the Cost of Towing a Car?

1. Distance

This is the biggest factor. Most recovery companies charge a call-out fee to get to you, then a per-kilometre rate for the tow itself. A short tow to a garage in the same area will cost a fraction of a tow from Kildare to Cork.

2. Time of Day

Night-time, weekend and bank holiday call-outs usually cost more. If your car is somewhere safe and can wait until morning, ask whether a daytime rate applies.

3. Vehicle Type and Weight

Standard cars are the cheapest to tow. Vans, 4x4s, campervans and commercial vehicles may need a larger truck or specialist equipment. Many electric cars, automatics and 4WD vehicles need to go on a flatbed rather than being towed with wheels on the ground, which can affect the price.

4. The Recovery Situation

A car that has simply broken down on a quiet road is a straightforward job. A car in a ditch, stuck in mud, damaged in an accident, or stranded on a motorway takes more time, more equipment and sometimes more than one operator, so it costs more.

5. Location and Access

Multi-storey car parks, narrow streets, rural lanes and busy city-centre locations can all make a job harder. Towing from private property can also involve extra steps if the owner or management company needs to be contacted.

How Much Does It Cost if Gardaí Tow Your Car?

An Garda Síochána can seize and remove a vehicle under Section 41 of the Road Traffic Act 1994, most commonly for driving without insurance, without a valid licence, without motor tax, or for unaccompanied learner drivers. Retrieval fees doubled on 14 August 2026, the first increase since 2011 (RTÉ):

Vehicle	First Day	Each Additional Day
Cars and vans (up to 3,500kg)	€250 (was €125)	€70 (was €35)
HGVs (over 3,500kg)	€500 (was €250)	€100 (was €50)

These charges add up fast. Leave a seized car in the compound for a week and you’re looking at €670 in fees alone, before any fines or tax arrears. To get your car back, you’ll generally need to:

• Get a Vehicle Release form from the Garda station.
• Bring proof that the issue has been sorted (e.g. valid insurance, licence or tax).
• Pay all removal and storage charges in full at the compound.

If the car is damaged, unroadworthy, or you can’t legally drive it away, you’ll need a private tow from the compound to your home or garage. QuickTow collects vehicles from Garda compounds across Dublin and Kildare.

How Much Does It Cost if You’re Clamped or Towed in Dublin?

In the Dublin City Council area, getting a clamp removed costs €125. If you don’t pay within 24 hours, the car is taken to the city pound, where you’ll pay a €250 removal fee plus €35 per day in storage (RTÉ). That’s not a rare event: just under 44,000 vehicles were clamped in the Dublin City Council area last year. Other local authorities also have powers to remove illegally parked or abandoned cars, and their fees can differ, so check with your local council if your car has been taken outside Dublin.

How to Keep Towing Costs Down

• Check your insurance first. Some car insurance policies include breakdown assistance, while others offer it as an add-on. You might already be covered.
• Consider breakdown cover. If you drive a lot or have an older car, annual cover can cost less than a single uncovered tow.
• Get a price before the truck is sent. Ask for a quote upfront, ideally in writing by text or WhatsApp.
• Tell the company about your car. Mention if it’s an EV, automatic, 4×4 or lowered, so they send the right truck the first time.
• Collect impounded cars quickly. With Garda storage now at €70 a day, every day you wait costs you.
• Don’t risk illegal parking. Clamp release plus pound fees in Dublin can easily top €300.

What to Do if Your Car Breaks Down

1. Get to safety. Pull as far left as you can and switch on your hazard lights.
2. On a motorway, stop on the hard shoulder, exit by the left-hand doors, and wait behind the barrier wearing a hi-vis vest. Don’t attempt repairs.
3. If you’re in a live lane or in danger, call 999 or 112 immediately.
4. Call your breakdown provider or a local recovery company, and give your exact location (a road name, junction number or nearest landmark).

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a tow truck cost in Ireland?

A local tow in Ireland typically costs €80–€150. Longer tows are usually priced as a call-out fee plus roughly €2–€4 per kilometre, with extra charges for night, weekend or complex recoveries.

How much does it cost to get a car out of a Garda pound in 2026?

Since 14 August 2026, it costs €250 for the first day and €70 for each additional day for cars and vans. For vehicles over 3,500kg, it’s €500 for the first day and €100 per additional day.

How much does it cost to get unclamped in Dublin?

Dublin City Council charges €125 to remove a clamp. If it isn’t paid within 24 hours, the car is moved to the pound, and you’ll pay €250 plus €35 per day in storage.

Does car insurance cover towing in Ireland?

It depends on your policy. Some insurers include breakdown assistance as standard, while others sell it as an optional extra. Check your policy documents or call your insurer before paying for a tow.

Can I get my car towed at night or at the weekend?

Yes. Many recovery companies, including QuickTow, operate 24/7. Out-of-hours call-outs may cost more than daytime jobs.

Can you tow my car from a Garda compound to a garage?

Yes. Once the Garda fees are paid and the car has been released, a recovery company can collect it from the compound and bring it wherever you need.