North Carolina Bill Takes Aim at Predatory Towing Practices Targeting Truckers
RALEIGH, NC — A newly passed bill in the North Carolina legislature is cracking down on aggressive towing and booting practices that target commercial truck drivers, aiming to protect their vehicles and the cargo they haul.
Towing Reform Clears House and Senate with Bipartisan Support
Senate Bill 311, passed on June 25 with a unanimous 46–0 vote in the Senate and a 100–7 vote in the House, establishes new limits on how commercial vehicles can be handled by parking enforcement companies and tow operators.
Under the new law, which takes effect December 1, it becomes a Class 2 misdemeanor to place a boot or similar immobilization device on a commercial truck for parking enforcement purposes. Violators could face up to 60 days in jail and a $1,000 fine, according to the Commercial Carrier Journal.
Cargo Protection Now Mandated by Law
A major concern for trucking companies has been the unjust retention of commercial cargo following a vehicle tow. The new legislation requires towing companies to return cargo upon request to the owner or their designee if the tow is non-consensual or ordered by law enforcement.
If a trailer has been impounded, the law allows the cargo owner to swap it with another similar working trailer, provided it’s no older than five years, to maintain delivery schedules and prevent economic loss.
Targeting Abuse and Fee Exploitation
These measures were prompted by rising reports of abusive fees and alleged efforts by towers to “hold cargo hostage” in exchange for large payments. By criminalizing the immobilization and formalizing cargo return requirements, lawmakers hope to eliminate loopholes used by predatory towing operators in North Carolina’s commercial corridors.
The legislation was tucked into a broader legislative package but received strong support due to its implications for interstate commerce, supply chain reliability, and trucker rights.
Do you think this law will help protect truck drivers from unfair towing practices? Join the conversation in the comments below at SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.
