Brief Description: Modifying requirements for motor vehicle transporter license applications.

Sponsors: By Representatives Hunt and Condotta.

House Committee on Transportation
Senate Committee on Transportation

Background:

Impounds, which are the taking and holding of a vehicle in legal custody without the consent of the owner, may be performed only by registered tow truck operators (RTTOs). If on public property, the impound is at the direction of a law enforcement officer; if the vehicle is on private property, the impound is at the direction of the property owner or his or her agent.

Registered tow truck owners are issued a tow truck permit by the Department of Licensing (DOL), following payment of a $100 per company and $50 per truck fee, plus an inspection by the Washington State Patrol. Registered tow truck owners must also file a surety bond of $5,000 with the DOL and meet certain minimum insurance requirements.

Tow trucks are also used by nonregistered operators that, for example, manage gas stations, repair shops, and auto dealerships. These trucks are used to aid the underlying business and may not be used for impounding or responding to law enforcement calls. If these nonregistered operators use their tow trucks to recover disabled vehicles for monetary compensation, they must have insurance in the same manner and amount as an RTTO and submit to a safety inspection of the tow truck.

Those who engage in the business of delivering vehicles not owned by the transporter and of the type required to be registered for highway use are required to obtain a transporter license and plates.

Summary:

An applicant for a transporter's license is required to indicate if the license will be used to recover disabled vehicles from a public road or highway for compensation. If so, the applicant will also be required to indicate if the applicant is a registered tow truck operator.

Votes on Final Passage:

House   96   1

House   96   1
Senate   45   0

Effective: June 12, 2008