Legislative testimony on non-consensual tows

This week, MTAC President Joe Sculley testified in opposition to a bill that would authorize a $10 surcharge on non-consensual tows. The surcharge is being pitched as a way to compensate towers for when vehicles are abandoned after non-consensual tows. Sculley pointed out that towers are not being forced to perform the non-consensual tows. They can decline the business if they feel they are not being compensated properly. However, the vehicle owner cannot decline a non-consensual tow.

In his testimony, Sculley said, in part, “at least some towers appear to not be following the regulated rates, either directly or indirectly.

I have also submitted as testimony several non-consensual tow invoices which total tens of thousands of dollars per invoice.

• East Coast Auto Body: $44,180.66
• Lombard Motors: $22,109.94
• Lombard Motors: $42,337.40
• Central Auto Transport: $88,179.55

The Owner-Operator Independent Driver’s Association (OOIDA) told MTAC that a quick analysis of six (6) recent invoices issued to their members for non-consensual tows, which appear to adhere to the regulated rates, show that the average price charged was about $5,866.”

Sculley urged rejection of the $10 surcharge and called on DMV to ensure that they are enforcing the regulated rates.

A copy of the complete testimony is available as a PDF.