Tallahassee, Fla. — Governor Ron DeSantis received the signed HB179 bill on June 12, mandating county‑wide maximum rates for cleanup and disposal after non‑consensual tows and requiring those rates to be posted online.

Truckers have long complained that opaque pricing lets tow operators charge sky‑high fees for services that many drivers never requested. The lack of statewide caps in Florida forced municipalities to set their own limits, creating a patchwork of rules that left owner‑operators scrambling for answers after a roadside breakdown. The new law forces every county to publish a clear schedule, giving OTR truck driver crews a reliable benchmark before they sign any invoice.

Florida’s effort follows a wave of similar measures across the South. Kentucky Senate passed SB107, compelling tow firms to turn in current rate sheets to local police; non‑compliance now triggers a six‑month removal from wrecker logs, with a repeat offense extending the ban to a year. Mississippi lawmakers advanced HB1622, which creates a commercial vehicle towing advisory committee to set rates, mediate disputes and discipline violators. Missouri House Rep. Dave Griffith introduced a bill that lets drivers file written complaints, demand itemized receipts and enforce security safeguards on tow trucks. Virginia’s SB94 and HB1073 outlaw any solicitation by tow drivers at the scene of a wreck, imposing fines and possible jail time for repeat offenders.

What This Means for Drivers

Owner‑operators can now reference a publicly posted rate sheet before agreeing to a tow, reducing the chance of surprise charges that eat into profit margins. CDL‑A drivers operating across state lines will encounter a more uniform set of expectations, simplifying compliance with FMCSA regulations that already demand transparent cost reporting. Fleet managers gain a new tool for auditing tow expenses, allowing them to contest invoices that exceed the posted maximums and protect their bottom line.

Industry Reaction

Alix Miller, president of the Florida Trucking Association, called HB179 "a huge victory" that will weed out predatory tactics and make the industry safer. The Owner‑Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) praised the multi‑state push, noting that coordinated legislation mirrors the association’s long‑standing push for clearer towing standards. Kentucky’s unanimous Senate vote reflected a shared frustration among carriers who see non‑consensual tows as a hidden tax on freight rates.

Key Points

• Florida counties must set and publish maximum tow and storage fees for non‑consensual services under HB179.
• Kentucky’s SB107 forces tow companies to file rate sheets with law enforcement, with penalties up to a year off wrecker logs.
• Mississippi’s HB1622 establishes a towing advisory committee to set rates and resolve driver disputes.
• Virginia bans tow‑truck solicitation at crash scenes, imposing fines and potential imprisonment for violators.

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