Ask an expert

Question regarding tow companies. What is the fine break down when your car is being or has been towed?

I was told by a friend that they can't charge you for the towing, but they can charge for holding your vehicle.

Is this true?

Lewis

From the "Ask Jack" archives - 14 December 2009

There is no set fee that a tow company has to charge for towing a vehicle from a "private" car park

Previous court decisions have suggested that the charges should only be for "expenses reasonably incurred in removing an unlawfully parked vehicle"

A breakdown of costs would include vehicle operating expenses, wages, yard hire and fees paid to the landowners to be able to tow vehicles from their premises.

Once the vehicle is taken to the holding yard you will also incur a daily storage fee. Our advice would be to pay the charge, recover the vehicle and take the tow company to the Disputes Tribunal if you believe that the charges were unreasonable.

The Transport Services Licensing Act requires the tow operator to get a tow authority signed by the landowner or person who requested the tow.