Missouri’s Push for Accountability

Missouri’s House Transportation Committee is advancing HB745, a bill by Rep. Dave Griffith (R-Jefferson City) that aims to curb predatory towing with several critical reforms.

Key measures include creating a formal complaint process, introducing a temporary ban on towing companies found breaking the law, and requiring towing details to be listed on nonconsensual tow invoices. The proposed legislation would also establish a “Towing and Recovery Review Board,” which includes representation for owner-operator truck drivers.

Griffith explained, “This bill will create an avenue for independent truckers and the trucking industry to dispute the charges. Right now, they don’t have that.”

Under HB745, truck operators could also select their preferred towing company unless specific conditions prevented it. The bill also prohibits per-pound pricing for nonconsensual tows and regulates situations where disputed fees delay vehicle releases.

OOIDA’s Executive Vice President, Lewie Pugh, shared his support, noting how unfair towing costs can devastate small trucking businesses. “When something like this happens to you as a small-business trucker, your life is pretty much devastated,” he testified.

HB745 awaits further deliberation in Missouri’s House.

Arkansas Targets Predatory Practices

Arkansas is considering HB1897, sponsored by Rep. Stetson Painter (R-Mountain Home). The bill aims to eliminate deceptive towing practices and excessive fees for both commercial and private vehicles.

Labor and Licensing Secretary Daryl Bassett emphasized the issue, testifying that “predatory towing is an issue that continues to rear its ugly head.” He praised the bill’s design to protect consumers and ethical towing businesses alike.

One standout provision allows vehicle owners to recover their cargo quickly, paying 35% of its value upfront while towing companies retain their lien on the load. “They can get their cargo, they can get it to market, they can make the sales, and they can pay the tow truck operator,” said Bassett, framing it as a win for all parties.

HB1897 also proposes revisions to the Arkansas Towing Board, restructuring its membership to regulate the industry better and reduce conflicts of interest.

Painter acknowledged the bill’s imperfections but called it “a step in the right direction.” Following committee approval, the bill is progressing through the legislative process.

North Carolina Proposes Dual Legislation

Lawmakers in North Carolina are considering two separate bills addressing nonconsensual towing and vehicle immobilization.

The first, H472, seeks to ban vehicle booting of commercial trucks, imposing misdemeanor charges on violators. It would also mandate the prompt return of cargo during nonconsensual tows or law-enforcement-initiated removals. Provisions allow trailer swaps if the replacement trailer is of equal or greater value.

The second bill, H577 (the “Protect Towers and Truckers Act”), proposes a Towing and Recovery Commission to manage disputes and evaluate towing rate reasonableness within the state’s rotation system. The bill also includes requirements for tow companies to provide a standard hourly price list before joining the rotation system.

Both pieces of legislation aim to address long-standing issues with predatory practices in the state.

Illinois Cracks Down on Fraudulent Operators

Illinois lawmakers are moving forward with SB2040, spearheaded by Sen. Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago), to hold unethical towing operators accountable.

The bill focuses on companies that evade penalties by operating under new business names. Under the proposed law, violators risk having their tow trucks impounded and their plates suspended until fines are settled. Additionally, restrictions would prohibit such operators from acquiring new licenses for three years.

“For too long, predatory towing operators have taken advantage of unsuspecting drivers, leaving them with outrageous fees, missing belongings, and no recourse,” Villanueva said. “This legislation is about restoring fairness and accountability to the system.”

The Senate has advanced the measure for further consideration.

Pennsylvania to Expand Emergency Towing Options

Rep. Stephanie Borowicz (R-Clinton/Union) is tackling towing regulations in Pennsylvania with HB188, a proposal set to offer flexibility for truckers in emergency situations.

Under the current rules, trucks needing emergency service must be towed to the nearest garage or safe location. HB188 would allow large trucks, including overweight combinations, to head directly to a facility of the owner’s choice. However, the tow must follow a direct and immediate route to either the repair site or a designated safe area.

Borowicz argued the bill would streamline regulations while improving road safety for all travelers.

The Bigger Picture

These legislative reforms mark meaningful progress in addressing unfair towing practices. With predatory behavior remaining an issue, these bills could bring much-needed protections for small-business truckers and others impacted by nonconsensual tow incidents.

Advocates like OOIDA will keep pressing for these reforms until fairness and accountability become the industry standard across the United States.

Source: Land Line

The post Five States Address Predatory Towing with Legislative Reforms appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

Buttigieg commented at the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) forum. “This department has been clear in our support of protections against predatory towing junk fees. Truckers often have to travel far from home to deliver the goods that everyone depends on,” Buttigieg said. “In the event that their truck gets towed, they may not have any relationship or familiarity with the towing company that moves their vehicle. Until they get that vehicle back, their job and really their livelihood is put on hold. Tow truck drivers also play an essential role in keeping our roads safe by removing disabled vehicles. But in some cases, some players in the towing space recognize and exploit the vulnerability of these situations. Of course, there are necessary and fair costs associated with the towing of a commercial vehicle. But some companies have seen an opportunity to charge exorbitant fees.”

The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) has been at the forefront of this issue for a long time. Truckers who experience nonconsensual towing by third-party services have minimal control over the selection of the towing company or the negotiation of fees, often left at the mercy of the company assigned by local authorities. Instances reported by OOIDA show that towing and recovery costs for semi-trucks have sometimes surpassed $100,000.

“Let’s not just check a box and say we had another meeting,” Morris said. “Let’s do something about it.” he insisted. Morris also pointed out that while there are many reliable towing companies, the goal is to eradicate the unscrupulous ones.

Bill Johnson, president of the Towing and Recovery Association of America, pointed out the challenges faced by towing professionals, noting that workers are on call 24/7, 365 days a year.

Last November, the Federal Trade Commission proposed new regulations to ban unfair or misleading fee practices for goods and services. “FMCSA believes FTC’s proposed regulation may significantly benefit the agency’s regulated community, specifically as it relates to the predatory towing practices that have a substantial financial impact on CMV owners and operators,” the agency mentioned.

For those who couldn’t attend the meeting, written feedback can be submitted at Regulations.gov using Docket No. FMCSA-2024-0124.

Source: Land Line

The post Semi-Truck Towing Protection Policies in Focus appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

“The towing and recovery industry is an essential partner to trucking, as breakdowns and crashes can occur at any time,” The Foundation one-pager said. “However, conflicts do arise between these two industries due to differing objectives and priorities, which can lead to miscommunication, disagreement and far too often, predatory practices.”

OOIDA contributed to the American Transportation Research Institute’s study on the causes, prevalence, and mitigation strategies for predatory semi-truck towing. The study found that nearly 30% of crash-related tows involved predatory charges, a figure that jumps to 66% for invoices exceeding $30,000. These percentages only account for predatory billing; other issues like unjust vehicle seizures, delays in cargo release, or fraudulent extra-hour charges aren’t included, as they can’t be identified from invoices alone.

When insurance covers semi-truck towing and recovery fees, excessive charges often exceed coverage limits, leaving carriers and drivers to shoulder the financial burden. Predatory towing involves egregious overcharges, unnecessary additional costs, illegal asset seizures, asset damage from improper equipment use, or wrongful retention of trucks, trailers, or cargo. ATRI’s report indicated the average pre-tax bill for a crash-related tow is $8,925.90, while predatory tows average $18,154.52.

Motor carriers surveyed identified excessive rates (83%) and unwarranted service charges (82%) as the most prevalent and impactful forms of predatory semi-truck towing. In response, several states have introduced measures against unfair towing practices this year. These measures typically regulate rates for different vehicle classes, establish protocols for various towing scenarios, and create complaint and reparation procedures for predatory towing incidents.

FMCSA Predatory Towing Forum

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration will host a public meeting on June 21, from 9 a.m. to noon Eastern, to discuss towing fee disclosures. Trucking stakeholders are invited to participate. OOIDA’s Doug Morris will present comments from the Association’s viewpoint. Register for this in-person/virtual event at the U.S. Department of Transportation Headquarters via the FMCSA website.

Understanding and addressing predatory practices in semi-truck towing is crucial for safeguarding the interests of carriers and drivers alike. Through continued advocacy and regulatory measures, the trucking industry can work towards fairer and more transparent towing practices.

Source: Land Line

The post OOIDA Strengthens Efforts to Regulate Predatory Towing Practices appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

On May 31, the FMCSA announced a virtual meeting set for June 21 to discuss “Transparency in Fees for Semi-Truck Towing and Recovery Services.” This crucial meeting, scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon Eastern time, aims to gather insights from stakeholders, including motor carriers and towing services, about the costs associated with towing commercial motor vehicles and whether owners are informed beforehand.

The FMCSA’s initiative comes in response to ongoing issues highlighted by OOIDA regarding unfair practices in semi-truck towing. OOIDA has long advocated for safeguards against inflated towing bills, especially in cases of nonconsensual tows initiated by law enforcement.

In November, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) proposed a rulemaking to tackle unfair fee practices. The FMCSA sees this as a positive step, potentially alleviating the financial burdens faced by commercial motor vehicle owners and operators due to predatory towing.

A third-party tow, often referred to as nonconsensual towing, occurs without the trucker’s ability to negotiate or compare prices. OOIDA’s efforts to combat excessive charges for semi-truck towing have been significant, with numerous cases documented across the United States.

For instance, in a 2015 incident in Deposit, N.Y., an OOIDA member received a staggering $154,124 towing bill, including a questionable $92,650 “reefer trailer fee” calculated at $100 per hour for an extensive duration. OOIDA highlighted the stark difference between local reefer trailer rental rates and the inflated towing charges.

To participate in the FMCSA’s meeting on June 21, interested individuals can register on the FMCSA website by June 11. While there’s an option for in-person attendance at the Department of Transportation headquarters in Washington, D.C., with a limit of 50 attendees, an online participation option is also available.

For those unable to attend, written comments can be submitted on Regulations.gov under Docket No. FMCSA-2024-0124. Staying informed about these developments is crucial, especially for truck drivers seeking reliable and transparent semi-truck towing services.

Source: Land Line

The post FMCSA Acts Against Predatory Semi Truck Towing appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

This new law establishes a Commercial Vehicle Towing Advisory Committee within the Department of Public Safety’s Public Commercial Transportation Enforcement Division.

“Predatory towing is an egregious practice that not only disrupts our state’s supply chain, but also costs Mississippi truck owners thousands of dollars for each unwanted tow,” said Mississippi Trucking Association President Hal Miller. “We are grateful to Mississippi legislators for listening to our concerns about this unfair tactic, and we thank Gov. Reeves for swiftly signing this bill into law.”

Among its responsibilities, the committee will set regulations and standards for towing services to be included on the approved tow list, define application procedures, and establish minimum qualification requirements. It will also set statewide maximum towing and storage rates for nonconsensual tows, including those on private property.

The law takes a firm stance against unfair practices, prohibiting towing companies from using per-pound billing for nonconsensual towing. It also mandates the creation of a Towing Service Standard Manual, a clear and transparent guide that governs the use of towing and recovery services for such instances involving commercial vehicles, ensuring a fair and just process for all.

Defined within the law, “nonconsensual towing” pertains to the movement, transportation, or recovery of a commercial vehicle by a towing service without prior consent from the vehicle owner or operator, whether from private property or initiated by law enforcement.

Furthermore, the law ensures that vehicle owners or their representatives can access personal property from their nonconsensual towed vehicles at storage facilities, irrespective of whether payment has been made for the towing service.

Before initiating a nonconsensual tow, towing services must document the vehicle’s condition and reason for towing, providing multiple photographs from various angles upon request by the vehicle owner. Moreover, the law prohibits the use of vehicle immobilization devices by towing services unless directed by law enforcement.

This legislation will be effective on July 1.

Source: Commercial Carrier Journal

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