Towing Issues: washington state towing rates, letter of appointment, tow operator

Question
How do I get access to the Washington State  Parol towing rates that they set for the tow trucks on their call list?   Thank you; Jim Babb

Answer
While I have not been able to find the actual figures from the state patrol here, I know that they have the following rules as to how to 204-91A-140
Fees.
 (1) All towing fees shall be based on a flat, hourly rate only and shall apply without regard for the hour of day, day of the week or whether the service was performed on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday. The hourly rate for each class of truck shall be the only charge for services performed for initial tows and secondary tows performed during business hours. Charges for secondary tows performed during nonbusiness hours, on weekends or holidays, if different from the hourly rate, shall be negotiated and agreed upon with the vehicle owner/agent before the tow is made.

    (2) The chief of the state patrol shall, prior to October 15 of each year, establish maximum hourly towing rates for each class of tow truck and maximum daily storage rates that tow operators may charge for services performed as a result of state patrol calls. The maximum rates shall be determined after consulting with members of the towing industry, review of current private towing rates, and such other economic factors as the chief may deem appropriate.

    When signed by the chief (or his/her designee) and the tow operator, a contractual agreement to charge no more than the maximum rates shall become part of the operator's letter of appointment. The tow operator may, however, adopt a rate schedule charging less than the maximum rates established by the chief.

    The hourly rate shall:

    (a) Be the only basis used to compute total charges for towing services.

    (b) Apply when the call is made by the state patrol, for whatever reason, including but not limited to accidents, incidents, disableds, and impound requests.

    (c) Include all ancillary activities such as, but not limited to, removal of glass and debris from the roadway and any other area referred to as the "scene or incident," necessary winching, dolly service, drive line removal, installing chains on the tow truck, installation of portable lights, vehicle hookup for towing or transporting, tire replacement (on vehicle to be towed) and standby time.

    (d) Be considered to include one person per truck. When responding with a class "C" or a S-1 rotator truck to major collisions and incidents, a second person is allowed at the hourly labor rate per contract for an extra RTO employee. Any charges for additional labor and/or ancillary vehicles (trailers, pickups, etc.), for removing debris, cargo, etc., must have prior authorization from the legal or registered owner/agent, or a member of the patrol at the scene.

    (e) Be computed from the actual time the truck departs in response to a call until the truck returns to its normal area/zone, responds to another call, or the tow yard. The hourly rate shall be applied to the resulting net time and, after the first hour, shall be rounded to the nearest fifteen minutes. The operator may charge the hourly rate for the first hour or any portion thereof. After the first hour, no more than one-quarter of the hourly rate may be charged for each fifteen minutes of tow or service work performed.

    (3) The basic storage fee: (Vehicles shall be measured bumper to bumper; trailers shall be measured tongue to bumper.)

    (a) Shall be calculated on a twenty-four-hour basis clock and shall be charged to the nearest half day from the time the vehicle arrived at the secure storage area. Vehicles stored over twelve hours on any given day within the twenty-four-hour clock shall constitute a full day's storage. Vehicles stored for less than twelve hours on any give day, shall be charged for twelve hours of storage; and

    (b) Shall be the same for all three and four-wheel vehicles less than twenty feet in length; and

    (c) For vehicles or combinations exceeding twenty feet, the storage fee shall be computed by multiplying each twenty feet of vehicle length, or any portion thereof, by the basic storage fee;

    (d) For two-wheel motorcycles shall be one-half the basic storage fee for three and four-wheel vehicles.

    (4) After hours release fee. If an operator or employee is already present, for other reasons, at the storage facility after business hours when a customer arrives, the vehicle and/or property shall be released as if it were during business hours. No "after hours fee" may be assessed. If the operator or employee is called to the place of business specifically for the purpose of releasing the vehicle and/or property, an "after hours fee," equivalent to one-half of the maximum Class "A" hourly rate, may be assessed.

    (5) Any tow operator who charges the general public (i.e., private citizens) rates lower than those identified in the contractual agreement for services listed below shall charge the same lower rate for similar services performed as a result of state patrol originated calls.

    (a) Roadside mechanical service, including fuel transfer, tire and belt changes, etc.;

    (b) Disabled vehicle tow/transportation;

    (c) Storage;

    (d) After hours release fees.

    Any such price requirement shall not be imposed for unoccupied vehicle situations in which the owner/operator has had no prior contact with either the state patrol or the tow operator.



[Statutory Authority: RCW 46.37.005. 04-20-021, § 204-91A-140, filed 9/28/04, effective 10/29/04. Statutory Authority: RCW 46.37.005, 46.55.050, and 46.55.115. 02-07-056, § 204-91A-140, filed 3/15/02, effective 4/15/02. Statutory Authority: RCW 46.37.005 and 46.55.050. 97-08-021, § 204-91A-140, filed 3/25/97, effective 4/25/97. Statutory Authority: RCW 46.61.567. 89-21-044, § 204-91A-140, filed 10/13/89, effective 11/13/89. Statutory Authority: RCW 46.35.005 [46.37.005]. 89-14-015 (Order 89-04-ESR), § 204-91A-140, filed 6/23/89.]charge for the services.  

 now as to some rates, I know that rates are mentioned here on these web sites.

http://www.silverdale-towing.com/redeem.htm

I know that you should be able to find it online somewhere but a call to the state patrol might lead you to the right location for it online.  Sorry but not really able to answer the question with actual answers right now .  But I am going to keep looking for the rates for my information source also as it should be public record somewhere...