Existing law provides that if the towing of a motor vehicle is requested by a person other than the owner, an agent of the owner, a law enforcement officer or other person employed to enforce the laws, ordinances and codes of a local government, the operator of the tow car shall not charge any fee or cost for the storage of the motor vehicle until at least 48 hours after the motor vehicle arrives and is registered at the place of storage. (NRS 706.4477) This bill removes this provision. This bill also provides that an operator who tows a vehicle in violation of the requirements of this bill or charges a fee or cost in violation of this bill may be subject to certain penalties and the owners of the vehicle may bring an action against the operator to recover costs. Existing law provides that an owner of real property may not have a vehicle towed solely because the registration of the vehicle is expired. (NRS 706.4477) This bill: (1) prohibits an operator from charging any fee or cost for the towing of a vehicle solely because the registration of the vehicle is expired; and (2) provides that the towing of such a vehicle by an operator is a violation subject to the penalties provided for in this bill. Existing law provides that, in certain situations, a registered owner of a motor vehicle that is towed is responsible for the cost of removal and storage of the motor vehicle, but if, for reasons outside of the owner's control, he or she is incapable of paying the normal rate charged for the removal and storage of the towed motor vehicle, the owner may pay a hardship tariff in accordance with regulations adopted by the Nevada Transportation Authority. (NRS 706.4477) This bill revises the situations in which an owner may pay a hardship tariff, but limits an owner from paying the hardship tariff more than once per calendar year.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 706.4477
Reprint 1: 706.4477
BDR: 706.4477