RCW 46.55.115
State patrol—Appointment of towing operators—Lien for costs—Appeal.
The Washington state patrol, under its authority to remove vehicles from the highway, may remove the vehicles directly, through towing operators appointed by the state patrol and called on a rotational or other basis, through contracts with towing operators, or by a combination of these methods. When removal is to be accomplished through a towing operator on a noncontractual basis, the state patrol may appoint any towing operator for this purpose upon the application of the operator. Each appointment shall be contingent upon the submission of an application to the state patrol and the making of subsequent reports in such form and frequency and compliance with such standards of equipment, performance, pricing, and practices as may be required by rule of the state patrol.
An appointment may be rescinded by the state patrol upon evidence that the appointed towing operator is not complying with the laws or rules relating to the removal and storage of vehicles from the highway. The state patrol may not rescind an appointment merely because a registered tow truck operator negotiates a different rate for voluntary, owner-requested towing than for involuntary towing under this chapter. The costs of removal and storage of vehicles under this section shall be paid by the owner or driver of the vehicle and shall be a lien upon the vehicle until paid, unless the removal is determined to be invalid.
Rules promulgated under this section shall be binding only upon those towing operators appointed by the state patrol for the purpose of performing towing services at the request of the Washington state patrol. Any person aggrieved by a decision of the state patrol made under this section may appeal the decision under chapter 34.05 RCW.
[ 1993 c 121 § 2; 1987 c 330 § 744; 1979 ex.s. c 178 § 22; 1977 ex.s. c 167 § 5. Formerly RCW 46.61.567.]
NOTES:
Construction—Application of rules—Severability—1987 c 330: See notes following RCW 28B.12.050.
Severability—1979 ex.s. c 178: See note following RCW 46.61.590.
Structure Revised Code of Washington
Chapter 46.55 - Towing and Impoundment.
46.55.020 - Registration required—Penalty.
46.55.025 - Registration or insurance required—Penalty.
46.55.030 - Application—Contents, bond, insurance, fee, certificate.
46.55.035 - Prohibited acts—Penalty.
46.55.037 - Compensation for private impounds.
46.55.040 - Permit required—Inspections of equipment and facilities.
46.55.050 - Classification of trucks—Marking requirements—Time and place of inspection—Penalty.
46.55.060 - Business location—Requirements.
46.55.063 - Fees, schedules, contracts, invoices.
46.55.070 - Posting requirements—Exception.
46.55.075 - Law enforcement impound—Required form, procedures.
46.55.085 - Law enforcement impound—Unauthorized vehicle in right-of-way.
46.55.100 - Impound notice—Abandoned vehicle report—Owner information, liability—Disposition report.
46.55.105 - Responsibility of registered owner—Buyer and seller remedies.
46.55.110 - Notice to legal and registered owners.
46.55.113 - Removal by police officer—Definition.
46.55.115 - State patrol—Appointment of towing operators—Lien for costs—Appeal.
46.55.117 - Impounds under RCW 64.44.050.
46.55.118 - Rate, fee limitations for certain private impounds.
46.55.120 - Redemption of vehicles—Sale of unredeemed property—Improper impoundment.
46.55.130 - Notice requirements—Public auction—Accumulation of storage charges.
46.55.140 - Operator's lien, deficiency claim, liability.
46.55.150 - Vehicle transaction file.
46.55.160 - Availability of records, equipment, and facilities for audit and inspection.
46.55.170 - Complaints, where forwarded.
46.55.180 - Presiding officer at licensing hearing.
46.55.200 - Penalties for certain acts or omissions.
46.55.210 - Cease and desist order.
46.55.220 - Refusal to issue license, grounds for.
46.55.230 - Junk vehicles—Removal, disposal, sale—Penalties—Cleanup restitution payment.
46.55.240 - Local ordinances—Requirements.
46.55.300 - Vehicle immobilization.
46.55.370 - Law enforcement liability immunity—Reasonable suspicion.
46.55.400 - Transporting abandoned recreational vehicles—Record of delivery—Report—Liability.
46.55.901 - Headings not part of law—1985 c 377.
46.55.902 - Effective date—1985 c 377.
46.55.910 - Chapter not applicable to certain activities of department of transportation.