Today, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) articulated its firm endorsement of safeguards for truckers against predatory towing fees in a statement submitted to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regarding the proposed rule to ban unjustified fees.

The FMCSA’s statement highlights concerns regarding predatory towing practices that impose excessive costs on commercial motor vehicle owners and operators. Furthermore, it lends its support to the proposed prohibition of concealed and deceptive fees, urging the FTC to consider supplementary measures to curtail unnecessary and exorbitant mandatory charges that burden truckers. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg affirmed this stance, emphasizing the financial vulnerability truck drivers face due to predatory towing fees, which hinder their ability to earn a livelihood.

Acting Deputy Administrator Sue Lawless echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the detrimental impact of predatory towing on consumers and the trucking industry as a whole. She called for an end to excessive rates, surcharges, and unfair fees associated with predatory towing.

Towing incidents, initiated either by the trucker following a breakdown or at the behest of law enforcement or property owners for illegal parking, create significant hardships for truckers, impeding their ability to work until they retrieve their vehicles. This vulnerability exposes truckers to exploitation by predatory towing companies. FMCSA’s concern centers on the leverage these companies exert over truckers, particularly through mandatory or unavoidable fees, which can accumulate to substantial amounts.

FMCSA’s statement identifies various unfair or deceptive fee practices employed by predatory towers, such as concealing fees until after the tow, charging for unnecessary services, and imposing an excessive number of fees. These practices can result in significant financial burdens for truckers, amounting to thousands of dollars.

In October, the FTC proposed a ban on junk fees to prevent businesses from imposing hidden and unjustified charges, mandating transparent pricing practices. FMCSA aligns with the proposed rule, asserting that predatory towing fee practices fall within its scope and would greatly benefit truckers if implemented. In its comment to the FTC, FMCSA emphatically supports these crucial protections and offers recommendations for additional measures to safeguard truckers from predatory towing fees.

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