NCPW Tip of the Day:

PROTECT YOURSELF AGAINST AGGRESSIVE TOWING

For most of us, the purchase of our motor vehicle may be the second biggest major financial transaction, the first usually is our home. Yet, every day we park our vehicles at malls, shopping centers and various parking lots within the county while ignoring the posted signage about the parking rules and restrictions. We are therefore left vulnerable and subject to being towed.

Montgomery County Code Chapter 30C defines Trespass Towing as the towing or removal of a vehicle from private property without the vehicle�s owner permission where the vehicle�s owner is required to pay a fee for the tow. This fee may also include storage and mileage in addition to the tow fee.

Here are some tips on how you can avoid being towed:

� Always look for signage regarding the parking rules.

� Never park on private property and walk-off the premises.

� Ask the merchant or business for which you are patron about the restrictions relating to parking.

� If you return to where you parked and your vehicle has been towed, call the police non-emergency telephone number using MC311 (within Montgomery County, dial 311; outside of the county, dial 240.777.0311).

If you are towed:

� If you arrive before the tow truck operator has lifted your vehicle off the ground, or if the vehicle is less than 6 inches in the air, this is considered to be an incomplete tow. Under these circumstances the tow truck operator should only charge a �Drop Fee� or � the amount of the normal tow fee.

� In general, property owners should not authorize the tow of a vehicle with valid Handicapped Registration or Disable Parking Permit on display (Chapter 30C-6) unless the police authorize the tow, the vehicle is blocking a fire lane, or blocking access to another vehicle or property.

� Tow companies are required to accept a check (if the vehicle has a valid Maryland registration) or a credit card (Master Card or Visa).

If you believe a tow operator has acted improperly, contact our office (Email: [email protected] or  by     T: 240.777.3636). The investigator on duty will advise you on what documentation you will need to retrieve your vehicle and what to expect once you arrive at the tow lot. You can also file a complaint with our office if you believe that you have been wrongly towed. Please use this link to access our Complaint Form .