New Maximum Tow Rates Set by Maryland State Police.

February 27, 2024

In accordance with legislation that MMTA worked to pass in 2022 and 2023, the Maryland State Police has established a maximum rate schedule that may be charged on police-initiated towing of medium and heavy-duty commercial vehicles. The new rate schedule is at www.mdtrucking.org/files/MSPMaxTowRates022124.pdf.

As a reminder, if your truck is involved in an accident that requires a tow company, the State Police must allow you to use your tower of choice if the company can arrive in 30 minutes or less (with some safety exclusions). If the State Police calls the tow company from its rotation, the tower cannot exceed the maximum rate schedule. In addition, towers cannot place a lien on cargo.

• If there is a genuine dispute over the cost of the tow and the cargo is owned by a 3rd party other than the vehicle owner, the tower must release the cargo to its owner or designee.
• If there is a dispute over the cost and the cargo is owned by the vehicle owner, the vehicle owner must provide insurance information demonstrating it has sufficient coverage to cover the cost of the cargo cleanup. If it does not have sufficient coverage, the vehicle owner will have to sign a letter of guarantee for payment of the cargo cleanup before cargo is released.

Recently, FMCSA expressed what it called "strong support for trucker protections against predatory towing fees" in comments on “junk fees” filed with the Federal Trade Commission.