HB1012: Towing; regulations for those seeking tow truck authorization documents and provisional changes.

Chief Patron

Del. Tim Hugo (R-40)

Tim Hugo (R-40)
Centreville, VA
Served: 2003–

Progress

	Introduced
	Passed Committee
	Passed House
	Passed Senate
	Signed by Governor
	Became Law

Status

03/08/2008: signed by governor

View Entire History

Summary

Towing.  Requires that a vehicle has insurance providing coverage for towing, recovery, and storage fees in order to be considered "insured motor vehicle" for the purpose of vehicle registration.  The bill further allows tow trucks to use crossovers on controlled-access highways when providing a public safety towing and recovery service.  Additionally, the bill repeals the provision that allows insurance company agents and persons subject to a vehicle security interest to have vehicles that have been towed as the result of a police-towing request to be towed to another location ("secondary tow").  Also repealed is the requirement that towing and recovery businesses accept insurance company checks in payment for towing, recovery, and storage charges.  The bill also allows the Board for Towing and Recovery Operators to promulgate regulations specifying additional training or conditions for individuals seeking tow truck authorization documents.  The bill, further, exempts from the requirement that tow truck operators have tow truck authorization documents issued by the Board for Towing and Recovery Operators tow trucks that are (i) towing vehicles from origins in another state and  are passing through the Commonwealth to destinations outside the Commonwealth, or (ii) towing vehicles from origins in another state to destinations in the Commonwealth, or (iii) not engaged to towed vehicles by physical, mechanical means that cause the towed vehicle to be moved or lifted off the ground.  Finally, the bill provides that a person cannot not be refused a license or a tow truck driver authorization document by the Board for Towing and Recovery Operators solely because of a prior criminal conviction, unless the criminal conviction directly relates to the towing and recovery of vehicles and safety of the users of the services offered by such licensee or holder of a tow truck authorization document.