LAWRENCE: Township tow truck licensing, rules being updated

By Lea Kahn, Staff Writer
Aiming to bring its regulations into compliance with state law, Township Council introduced an ordinance Tuesday night that provides for the licensing and regulations of tow truck companies operating in Lawrence Township.
The ordinance is set for a public hearing at Township Council’s Aug. 19 meeting, which begins at 6:30 p.m. and will be held in the council meeting room at the Municipal Building.
There have been many changes in the state law aimed at consumer protection, Municipal Manager Richard Krawczun told the council.
Among the highlights of the proposed ordinance is the length of the contract with Lawrence Township, Mr. Krawczun said. The tow truck companies had annual contracts, but now a contract is awarded for three years.
All applicants are required to undergo a criminal background check, and must have a minimum of five years of experience, Mr. Krawczun said. They must be willing to tow on a 24-hour, seven-day-per-week basis.
"Light duty" and "heavy duty" tow truck drivers must obtain certification from a nationally recognized organization, such as the Towing and Recovery Association of America, Wreck Master or the Garden State Tow Man’s Association, according to the ordinance.
Tow truck companies also must have at least one light-duty tow truck and a flatbed wrecker for cars that cannot be towed. A tow truck company must have a heavy duty wrecker, as well, if it wants to engage in heavy duty towing assignments.
The ordinance also sets out fees for towing and storage services, Mr. Krawczun said. The fee charged by a tow truck company may not deviate from the fees set out in the ordinance. There is no charge, however, if the vehicle that is towed belongs to Lawrence Township.
For daytime towing operations — which is 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. — the basic tow fee for light duty towing may not exceed $125, and $150 for recovery if the vehicle is overturned or beyond the right-of-way. At night, on weekends or holidays, it may not exceed $150 for towing and $200 for recovery. It is a flat rate.
The fees increase for medium duty and heavy duty towing assignments.
Storage fees also are set by the ordinance at a maximum of $35 per day for outdoor storage of a vehicle, and $50 per day if a vehicle is stored indoors. The maximum fee for medium duty storage outdoors is $75 per day, and $100 for indoor storage.
Tow truck companies must have a business office that is open between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., at least five days per week, excluding holidays. The company must provide for after-hours release of a vehicle, and may charge a "release fee" for releasing vehicles to their owners after normal business hours or on weekends. That fee may not exceed $100.