Palaszczuk Government to overhaul the towing industry

Published Monday, 07 August, 2017 at 02:30 PM

Acting Minister for Main Roads, Road Safety and Ports
The Honourable Steven Miles

The Palaszczuk Government has today endorsed all recommendations made by the independent investigation into the towing industry led by the former District Court Judge Michael Forde.

Acting Main Roads and Road Safety Minister Steven Miles said the investigation into the removal of parked vehicles from private car parks came in response to increasing community concern about the alleged shady practices, intimidating tactics and excessive fees being charged by some towing operators.

“We’re putting an end to this rip-off rort by rogue towies once and for all,” Mr Miles said.

“The 22 recommendations which we’ll now implement, will overhaul the towing industry including changes to licence requirements, fees, signage, privacy, education and enforcement.

“The Act covering tow truck licensing and accreditation has been amended only once in 40 years, so these changes are long overdue. 

“Private property towing will now be regulated, drivers will be accredited and trucks licensed.

Mr Miles said one of the biggest issues to come out of the investigation were the excessive fees charged by these rogue operators.

“We’re acting on that and Queensland will now be the first state in the country to cap fees for towing from private carparks,” he said.

  • $150 – onsite release
  • $250 – private property towing
  • $348 – crash towing

“Another key recommendation is increasing the existing penalties and introducing new penalties for those who contravene the tow truck legislation.

“For example, fines for operating an unlicensed tow truck will increase from $252 to $1,513 with a maximum court imposed penalty of $20,184.

“These increased penalties aim to deter recidivist behaviour and will reduce the likelihood of conflict between the vehicle owners and the tow truck industry.

“Under the recommendations, TMR will also increase enforcement activities and provide education aimed at improving community understanding of rights and obligations about private parking towing.

“We’ll also develop guidelines outlining the minimum signage standards to promote visible, clear, comprehensive and consistent signs.

“I am confident these reforms will improve the accountability and practices of the towing industry.”

The key recommendations from the report include:

  • requiring private property towing to be performed by accredited drivers using licensed tow trucks
  • setting maximum fees of $250 for vehicles towed from private property, and $150 if the vehicle is released onsite after being loaded onto the tow truck
  • increasing the penalties for operating a tow truck without a licence or accreditation
  • imposing conduct requirements on tow truck operators and drivers to ensure fair, reasonable and professional towing practices
  • restricting the disclosure of information about private property towing to protect motorists’ privacy
  • developing guidelines for minimum signage requirements
  • enhancing monitoring and enforcement activities to maximise compliance with the licensing and accreditation requirements
  • improving motorists, private property owners and towing operators’ awareness of their rights and obligations regarding private property parking and towing 

The tow truck hotline which will continue to operate has received more than 700 calls since the 9 May with more than 450 of those registered complaints.

The top three hotspots which account for more than 50 per cent of the records are:

  • Fortitude Valley, Albion, Newstead 142 (31%)
  • Ascot, Hamilton, Eagle Farm 67 (15%)
  • Herston, Bowen Hills 24 (5%)

“We all have a responsibility to park legally but what this does is make sure motorists will no longer be tricked, intimidated and ripped-off when their vehicle gets towed,” Mr Miles said.

“I want to thank Mr Forde who is an eminent law expert for consulting extensively with towing operators, private property occupiers, motorists and government and non-government bodies and organisations to put together this report.

“The Queensland Government will now begin preparing the necessary legislation to implement the recommendations.”

It is expected that the new arrangements will come into effect by the end of the year.

To view the report and the 22 recommendations - www.tmr.qld.gov.au/towingindustryinvestigation

ENDS

Media contact:             Zoe Russell – 0428 079 640