DRIVERS in a major US state are set to save $1,000s in “unfair fees” when a new traffic law comes into effect.
Lawmakers have vowed to get tougher on “predatory” vehicle towing and have given a state committee a deadline to clamp down further on unfair practices.
Predatory towing refers to the unfair or excessive charges towing companies heap on to regular road users.
At present, the law in Connecticut allows truck companies to start selling in 15 days cars they have towed that are valued under $1,500.
This is reportedly one of the shortest windows for selling towed cars in the country.
After the legislation comes into effect at the start of October, towing companies can still start the sale process for vehicles worth $1,500 or less after 15 days – but with several restrictions.
This includes a legal requirement for tow firms to take more steps to give the owner a chance to claim their vehicle.
An additional requirement means the sale of a vehicle cannot proceed until 30 days after the tow takes place.
Significant changes
The bill also requires towing companies to adhere to the following legal requirements.
From October 1, any company towing a car must accept credit card payments.
Firms will also no longer be able to tow a vehicle just because of an expired parking permit or registration.
In one of the most significant developments to come into effect next month, vehicles can no longer be towed from private property without notice unless they are blocking traffic, fire hydrants or parked in a space designated for handicapped access.
The bill was initially passed by the Connecticut Senate in May 2025 following a recommendation by the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
The 10 members of the DMV met again on Monday, September 8, to discuss future restrictions on towing companies.
Chairman of the DMV is Tony Guerrera.
Cars are a lifeline
He told the committee that the working group should expand its mission to study broader changes that make it easier for low-income residents to get their cars back, as reported by CT Mirror.
“There’s got to be a way, too, to make sure that people know what’s going on when their car gets towed,” Guerrera said.
“That’s important because that $1,000 vehicle is a lifeline for them, and they need to get it back.
“So how can we get it back in a way that doesn’t keep accumulating more fees?”
The DMV has until February 2026 to report to lawmakers on its plans to expand the scope of the law to allow residents to get their cars back more easily.
What to do if your car is towed
Wrongfully or not, retrieving a towed vehicle can be a hassle. Here are the steps to take when your car is towed:
- Try to figure out why your car was towed. Did you not see a posted “No Parking” sign? Did you miss a car payment? Did you return to a lot where you have unpaid citations? Finding the reason can narrow down the phone numbers to dial.
- Locate the vehicle. Most states, cities, or counties require towing companies to leave some form of contact information via a posted sign or sent by mail.
- Recovery dates and times depend on the company that towed the vehicle, but those times will be posted to the website or can be recited by a representative.
- Pay the fees. Be careful to be as prompt as possible, as some tow yards may charge storage fees by the day.
- Be prompt – many states have a small window of time where it’s acceptable to file a complaint against a company that wrongfully towed the vehicle.
- Gather supporting documents: photos, emails, receipts, police reports, and witness statements if applicable. The more evidence, the better.
- Get familiar with your local laws, as laws for towing companies vary per state.
- Try speaking with the towing company. Sometimes it may have been a simple oversight, and the matter can be resolved quickly.
- Contact the Justice of the Peace in your area, as they may have more insight or resources to help. They are often utilized for towing cases.
Source: Oregon Department of Justice, National General, Rak Law Firm
