Compilation of Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia › Department 515 - RULES OF GEORGIA PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION › Chapter 515-16 - TRANSPORTATION › Subject 515-16-15 - NON-CONSENSUAL TOWING › Rule 515-16-15-.01 - Definitions

Current through Rules and Regulations filed through June 27, 2024
In addition to the Definitions contained in Chapter 515-16-3
				  of these Rules, the following terms used in this Chapter 515-16-15 have the
				  following meaning:
(a) Attendant means
				any person who is authorized by the impoundment facility to release a vehicle
				from the facility when presented with proper documentation of ownership and
				payment of appropriate fees. [See Para. (e) below for this
				definition]
(b) Corporate entity
				means any corporation, limited liability company, limited partnership, small
				business corporation or any other entity or organization registered with the
				Georgia Secretary of State's Corporations Division.
(c) Maximum Rate Tariff means the publication
				containing the maximum rates as prescribed by the Commission that a wrecker
				company can assess for the towing and storage of vehicles removed pursuant to
				the authority granted in the "Nonconsensual Towing Permit".
(d) Nonconsensual Towing shall mean towing
				without the prior consent or authorization of the owner or operator of the
				motor vehicle being towed.
(e)
				Nonconsensual Towing Carrier or NCT Carrier means a wrecker service operator
				who or which engages in the towing or other removal of improperly parked
				vehicles and trespassing personal property (including, but not limited to,
				trespassing vehicles) from private property.
(f) Nonconsensual Towing Permit or NCT Permit
				means a permit issued by the Commission to a wrecker or towing service
				operator, authorizing removal of improperly parked vehicles and trespassing
				personal property from private property.
(g) Normal Business Hours means operating
				hours of a nonconsensual towing carrier as approved by the
				Commission.
(h) Receipt means a
				document issued by the attendant to the owner of the vehicle stating all
				charges have been paid for the towing and storage of vehicle.
(i) Secure Impoundment Facility means a
				facility owned or leased by a towing company for the purposes of providing
				secure storage of towed vehicles.
(j) Tow or towing means to utilize any
				automotive vehicle to pull, to load and carry or otherwise to transport another
				automotive vehicle or automotive vehicle trailer over a public highway or road,
				except that transportation by an automobile transport vehicle with a capacity
				of three (3) or more vehicles shall not be included in the definition of tow or
				towing, no matter how many vehicles such automobile transport vehicle is
				transporting at any given time.
(k)
				Wrecker means an automotive vehicle with hoisting apparatus and equipment for
				towing vehicles. The term "wrecker" also includes any vehicle otherwise
				equipped and used for the purposes of towing vehicles.
(l) Wrecker or towing service operator means
				the person or entity operating or in control of the provision of wrecker or
				towing services to the public or to property owners and shall include all
				officers or managers of any such services.
Authority O.C.G.A.
				  Sec. 44-1-13.