Rule 515-16-15-.03 - Fees Charged for Nonconsensual Towing(1) Any wrecker service engaged in the business of providing nonconsensual towing service shall not charge the owner or operator of any towed motor vehicle more than the maximum rates published in the "Nonconsensual Towing Maximum Rate Tariff" prescribed by the Commission. No storage fees shall be charged for the first 24-hour period from the time the motor vehicle is removed from the property. The fees stated in the maximum rate tariff shall be all inclusive; no additional fees may be charged for the use of dollies, trailers, lifts, slim jims or any other equipment or service. Only charges or rates for storage and removal that are approved by the Commission and contained in the Commission's Maximum Rate Tariff for Nonconsensual Towing shall be billed or collected by the wrecker service for towing or storage services; and it is a violation of this Rule for any wrecker service to bill or collect fees or charges which are not expressly permitted by such Maximum Rate Tariff.(2) The fees stated in paragraph (1) above of this rule shall be payable, at the choice of the vehicle owner or payee, by cash, commonly-recognized travelers checks, money orders, certified checks or cashier's checks at no additional charge.(3) No additional charges shall be assessed for storage of the vehicle once the vehicle has been claimed and payment is tendered to the towing company in the amount specified on the receipt and the vehicle has been removed from the impoundment facility. The receipt issued by the wrecker or towing service to the customer, and such service's office copy of such receipt, must reflect all fees collected for the redemption of the vehicle.(4) The Maximum Rate Tariff will be reviewed annually by the Commission after receiving notification from towing firms as to their current cost for removal and storage of vehicles and personal property, and other pertinent information. Wrecker services shall submit the information described in this subparagraph by October 1 of each year, or at such other date as may be designated from time to time by the Commission, to the Commission's Transportation Unit.(5) No storage fees may be charged or collected by any wrecker service or tow truck operator for days on which the impound lot where a towed vehicle is stored is closed or otherwise unavailable to the vehicle owner for redemption.Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 515-16-15-.03
Authority O.C.G.A. Sec. 44-1-13.
Original Rule entitled "Fees Charged for Nonconsensual Towing" adopted. F. June 10, 2008; eff. June 30, 2008.