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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>82474</law_id><section_number>46.2-118</section_number><catch_line>Prohibited acts by tow truck drivers and towing and recovery operators</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>2.2-517</reference><reference>46.2-116</reference><reference>46.2-117</reference><reference>46.2-119</reference><reference>46.2-1233.3</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="46.2">Motor Vehicles</unit><unit label="subtitle" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="I">General Provisions; Department of Motor Vehicles</unit><unit label="chapter" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="1">General Provisions</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> No <span class="dictionary">tow truck</span> <span class="dictionary">driver</span> shall: <a id="paragraph-295472" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-118/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> Use <span class="dictionary">fraud</span> or deceit in the offering or delivering of towing and recovery services; <a id="paragraph-295473" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-118/#A1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> Conduct his business or offer services in such a manner as to endanger the health and welfare of the public; <a id="paragraph-295474" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-118/#A2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A3" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> Use alcohol or drugs to the extent such use renders him unsafe to provide towing and recovery services; <a id="paragraph-295475" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-118/#A3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A4" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">4.</span> Obtain any fee by <span class="dictionary">fraud</span> or misrepresentation; <a id="paragraph-295476" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-118/#A4"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A5" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">5.</span> Remove or tow a trespassing <span class="dictionary">vehicle</span>, as provided in &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Ticketing, removal, or immobilization of trespassing vehicles by owner or operator of parking or other lot or building; charges" href="/46.2-1231/">46.2-1231</a>, or a <span class="dictionary">vehicle</span> towed or removed at the request of a <span class="dictionary"><span class="dictionary">law</span>-enforcement officer</span> to any location outside the Commonwealth; <a id="paragraph-295477" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-118/#A5"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A6" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">6.</span> Violate, or assist, induce, or cooperate with others to violate, any provision of <span class="dictionary">law</span> related to the offering or delivery of towing and recovery services; or <a id="paragraph-295478" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-118/#A6"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A7" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">7.</span> Drive by the scene of a wrecked or disabled <span class="dictionary">vehicle</span> for which a <span class="dictionary">law</span>-enforcement tow has been initiated by a <span class="dictionary">law</span>-enforcement agency, initiate contact with the <span class="dictionary">owner</span> or <span class="dictionary">operator</span> of such <span class="dictionary">vehicle</span> by soliciting or offering towing services, and tow such <span class="dictionary">vehicle</span>. <a id="paragraph-295479" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-118/#A7"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> No <span class="dictionary">towing and recovery operator</span> shall: <a id="paragraph-295480" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-118/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> Use <span class="dictionary">fraud</span> or deceit in the offering or delivering of towing and recovery services; <a id="paragraph-295481" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-118/#B1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> Conduct his business or offer services in such a manner as to endanger the health and welfare of the public; <a id="paragraph-295482" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-118/#B2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B3" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> Use alcohol or drugs to the extent such use renders him unsafe to provide towing and recovery services; <a id="paragraph-295483" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-118/#B3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B4" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">4.</span> Neglect to maintain on record at the <span class="dictionary">towing and recovery operator</span>&#x2019;s principal office a list of all <span class="dictionary">drivers</span> employed by the <span class="dictionary">towing and recovery operator</span>; <a id="paragraph-295484" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-118/#B4"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B5" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">5.</span> Obtain any fee by <span class="dictionary">fraud</span> or misrepresentation; <a id="paragraph-295485" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-118/#B5"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B6" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">6.</span> Advertise services in any manner that deceives, misleads, or defrauds the public; <a id="paragraph-295486" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-118/#B6"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B7" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">7.</span> Advertise or offer services under a name other than one&#x2019;s own name; <a id="paragraph-295487" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-118/#B7"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B8" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">8.</span> Fail to accept for payment cash, insurance company check, certified check, money <span class="dictionary">order</span>, or at least one of two commonly used, nationally recognized credit cards, except those <span class="dictionary">towing and recovery operators</span> who have an annual gross income of less than $10,000 derived from the performance of towing and recovery services shall not be required to accept credit cards, other than when providing police-requested towing as defined in &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Local governing body may regulate certain towing" href="/46.2-1217/">46.2-1217</a>, but shall be required to accept personal checks; <a id="paragraph-295488" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-118/#B8"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B9" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">9.</span> Fail to display at the <span class="dictionary">towing and recovery operator</span>&#x2019;s principal office in a conspicuous place a listing of all towing, recovery, and processing fees for <span class="dictionary">vehicles</span>; <a id="paragraph-295489" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-118/#B9"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B10" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">10.</span> Fail to have readily available at the <span class="dictionary">towing and recovery operator</span>&#x2019;s principal office, at the customer&#x2019;s request, the maximum fees normally charged by the <span class="dictionary">towing and recovery operator</span> for basic services for towing and initial hookup of <span class="dictionary">vehicles</span>; <a id="paragraph-295490" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-118/#B10"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B11" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">11.</span> Knowingly charge excessive fees for towing, storage, or administrative services or charge fees for services not rendered; <a id="paragraph-295491" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-118/#B11"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B12" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">12.</span> Fail to maintain all towing records, which shall include itemized fees, for a period of one year from the date of service; <a id="paragraph-295492" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-118/#B12"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B13" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">13.</span> Willfully invoice payment for any services not stipulated or otherwise incorporated in a <span class="dictionary">contract</span> for services rendered between the <span class="dictionary">towing and recovery operator</span> and any locality or political subdivision of the Commonwealth; <a id="paragraph-295493" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-118/#B13"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B14" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">14.</span> Employ a <span class="dictionary">driver</span> required to register with the Sex Offender and <span class="dictionary">Crimes</span> Against <span class="dictionary">Minors</span> Registry pursuant to Chapter 9 (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Purpose of the Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry" href="/9.1-900/">9.1-900</a> et seq.) of Title 9.1; <a id="paragraph-295494" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-118/#B14"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B15" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">15.</span> Remove or tow a trespassing <span class="dictionary">vehicle</span>, as provided in &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Ticketing, removal, or immobilization of trespassing vehicles by owner or operator of parking or other lot or building; charges" href="/46.2-1231/">46.2-1231</a>, or a <span class="dictionary">vehicle</span> towed or removed at the request of a <span class="dictionary"><span class="dictionary">law</span>-enforcement officer</span> to any location outside the Commonwealth; <a id="paragraph-295495" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-118/#B15"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B16" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">16.</span> Refuse, at the <span class="dictionary">towing and recovery operator</span>&#x2019;s place of business, to make change, up to $100, for the <span class="dictionary">owner</span> of the <span class="dictionary">vehicle</span> towed without the <span class="dictionary">owner</span>&#x2019;s consent if the <span class="dictionary">owner</span> pays in cash for charges for towing and storage of the <span class="dictionary">vehicle</span>; <a id="paragraph-295496" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-118/#B16"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B17" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">17.</span> Violate, or assist, induce, or cooperate with others to violate, any provision of <span class="dictionary">law</span> related to the offering or delivery of towing and recovery services; <a id="paragraph-295497" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-118/#B17"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B18" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">18.</span> Fail to provide the <span class="dictionary">owner</span> of a stolen <span class="dictionary">vehicle</span> written notice of his right under <span class="dictionary">law</span> to be reimbursed for towing and storage of his <span class="dictionary">vehicle</span> out of the state treasury from the appropriation for criminal charges as required in &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Unattended or immobile vehicles, generally" href="/46.2-1209/">46.2-1209</a>; <a id="paragraph-295498" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-118/#B18"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B19" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">19.</span> Refuse to allow, consistent with the protections detailed in the provisions of subsection E of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Lien of keeper of vehicles" href="/46.2-644.01/">46.2-644.01</a>, the <span class="dictionary">owner</span> of the <span class="dictionary">vehicle</span> towed, upon proof of ownership of the <span class="dictionary">vehicle</span>, to access and recover any personal items without retrieving the <span class="dictionary">vehicle</span> and without paying any fee; or <a id="paragraph-295499" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-118/#B19"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B20" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">20.</span> Require an individual who appears to retrieve a <span class="dictionary">vehicle</span> towed to provide to the <span class="dictionary">towing and recovery operator</span>, in addition to payment of fees, any document not otherwise required by <span class="dictionary">law</span> before releasing the <span class="dictionary">vehicle</span> to the individual. <a id="paragraph-295500" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-118/#B20"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> No <span class="dictionary">tow truck</span> <span class="dictionary">driver</span> as defined in &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Registration with Department of Criminal Justice Services required for tow truck drivers; penalty" href="/46.2-116/">46.2-116</a> or <span class="dictionary">towing and recovery operator</span> as defined in &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Definitions" href="/46.2-100/">46.2-100</a> shall knowingly permit another person to occupy a <span class="dictionary">motor vehicle</span> as defined in &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Definitions" href="/46.2-100/">46.2-100</a> while such <span class="dictionary">motor vehicle</span> is being towed. <a id="paragraph-295501" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-118/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D"><p><span class="prefix-number">D.</span> No <span class="dictionary">tow truck</span> <span class="dictionary">driver</span> or <span class="dictionary">towing and recovery operator</span> as defined in &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Registration with Department of Criminal Justice Services required for tow truck drivers; penalty" href="/46.2-116/">46.2-116</a> shall cause any other person to solicit or offer towing services in any manner, directly or indirectly, at the scene of any wrecked or disabled <span class="dictionary">motor vehicle</span> upon a <span class="dictionary">highway</span>, as defined in &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Definitions" href="/46.2-100/">46.2-100</a>, when such wrecked or disabled <span class="dictionary">motor vehicle</span> reasonably necessitates removal by a <span class="dictionary">tow truck</span>. In addition to any <span class="dictionary">penalty</span> authorized pursuant to this title, any <span class="dictionary">tow truck</span> <span class="dictionary">driver</span> or <span class="dictionary">towing and recovery operator</span> violating the provisions of this subsection shall be guilty of a Class 3 <span class="dictionary">misdemeanor</span> for the first <span class="dictionary">offense</span> and of a Class 2 <span class="dictionary">misdemeanor</span> for any subsequent <span class="dictionary">offense</span>. <a id="paragraph-295502" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-118/#D"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>2012, cc. 803, 835; 2015, c. 217; 2020, c. 829; 2023, c. 600; 2024, cc. 337, 409, 574.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
