SB 471 - This act requires the state highway to certify heavy tow truck operators. Beginning July 1, 2006, no person shall operate a heavy duty towing vehicle to remove abandoned property, or property directed to be moved by law enforcement, without holding a certificate issued by the state highway patrol authorizing such person to engage in such activities.
An application for a certificate shall be on forms furnished by the state highway patrol and shall be accompanied by proof that the person:
(1) Possesses and will maintain an appropriate commercial driver's license classification;
(2) Maintains a valid liability insurance policy upon the heavy duty towing vehicle issued by an insurer authorized to do business in this state, or a bond or other acceptable surety in the amount of at least seven hundred fifty thousand dollars;
(3) Has obtained the current annual Missouri vehicle inspection certificate as required by law; and
(4) Has been tested and certified by a national program which has been funded by federal or state government to perform any law enforcement calls
Any person obtaining a certificate under this act shall maintain such certificate in the heavy duty towing vehicle and shall exhibit it on demand of any peace officer. Such certificate shall be valid for one year after its issuance. The state highway patrol shall charge a fee of fifty dollars for the initial certificate issued and a renewal fee of twenty-five dollars for each year thereafter.
Insurance companies insuring heavy duty towing vehicles shall notify the Missouri state highway patrol immediately upon the cancellation or reduction of insurance below the minimum amount.
Law enforcement may demand proof of the above requirements immediately after the driver arrives at the scene of the abandoned property or law enforcement request for assistance. A driver who is not registered under this section shall not be permitted to work the scene. Any person who attempts to tow abandoned property at the request of law enforcement without holding a registration certificate issued under this section shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.
A towing company or the employer of heavy duty towing vehicle drivers shall verify to the highway state patrol by July 1, 2006, of the names of such eligible employees, their appropriate commercial driver license information, and proof of the insurance requirements. Towing companies and employers of heavy duty towing vehicles shall annually update this information. Any individual having five or more years experience operating heavy duty towing vehicles, prior to July 1, 2006, shall be exempt from training requirements of the act. The state highway patrol shall send those individuals an exemption notification certificate, which shall be kept on their person when operating heavy duty towing vehicles, for inspection by law enforcement.
STEPHEN WITTE