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ONE of car ownership’s biggest headaches can be having your vehicle towed, with actually getting it back often being the biggest hassle.
While some laws have been passed which protect drivers from and target predatory towing practices, the latest bill on towing is one that gives operators a major boon.
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A new law which took effect at the start of the new year has given tow companies the authority to take ownership of and sell a towed vehicle.
However, the law only allows them to do so if the vehicle isn’t picked up by its owner within a certain time.
Idaho House Bill 174 first specifies that towing companies must report law-enforcement directed tows or tows of abandoned vehicles to the state’s Abandoned Vehicle (AV) portal within 24 hours of the tow.
Once entered into the portal, the state’s Department of Transportation can notify the owner in multiple ways, at which point they’ll have 30 days to claim their vehicle before the operator can legally claim ownership of and sell it.
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These notifications can come via email or text within one business day for AV portal users, while notifications by mail will be sent at five and fifteen business days after the vehicle is towed.
However, drivers only have 30 days to claim their vehicle from the time the first notice is sent, whether it comes in the mail or through a digital service.
Although the bulk of the bill gives more power to towing companies, there is a section which gives drivers more rights when their vehicle is towed.
The new law requires operators to allow drivers to retrieve their personal belongings from their vehicle, regardless of whether or not they’ve paid any of the associated fees yet.
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It also requires companies to post their rate sheets publicly and forbids them from charging more than what’s listed on these sheets.
In other states, drivers are actively fighting back against local laws which they feel favor towing companies unfairly.
Wrongfully or not, retrieving a towed vehicle can be a hassle.
If your vehicle is towed after parking in a “No Parking” zone or other legitimate reason, there are a few steps to take to get it back.
Steps to take when your car is towed:
If you feel your vehicle was wrongfully towed, contesting the action can be done with the following steps:
Source: Oregon Department of Justice, National General, Rak Law Firm
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