DOT Tow Company Operations Annex

Official operating requirements for all towing companies contracted by the Department of Transportation, including dispatch procedures, scene safety, impound rules, professional conduct, and company oversight.

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Updated Jul 27, 2026

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DOT Tow Company Operations Annex

All towing companies contracted by the Department of Transportation operate under the authority and oversight of the DOT.

Company owners, managers, and operators are required to follow the DOT Standard Operating Procedures, this Tow Company Operations Annex, all applicable laws, and all CSLRP community rules.

Where this annex conflicts with the main DOT Standard Operating Procedures, the DOT SOP shall take precedence.

1. Status of Contracted Tow Companies

Contracted towing companies are privately operated businesses authorized to provide towing, recovery, roadside-assistance, and impound services on behalf of the Department of Transportation.

Contracted towing companies:

Are not law-enforcement or emergency-service departments.
May only exercise authority specifically granted by the DOT.
Must follow instructions issued by authorized DOT personnel.
Remain responsible for the conduct of their owners, managers, and operators.
May have their approval suspended or revoked for policy violations.

Approval as a DOT-contracted towing company does not grant operators the authority to:

Detain individuals.
Search vehicles.
Conduct traffic stops.
Direct emergency scenes.
Pursue vehicles.
Perform law-enforcement duties.

2. Company Approval Requirements

Before operating under a DOT contract, a towing company must:

Be officially approved by DOT leadership.
Have an approved company name and ownership structure.
Maintain an up-to-date list of authorized operators.
Use suitable and professionally maintained towing vehicles.
Follow all DOT-approved pricing and operating standards.
Maintain professional conduct and reasonable activity levels.
Report changes in ownership or management to the DOT.
Cooperate with DOT inspections and contract reviews.

The DOT may review a company’s approval at any time.

3. Company Management Responsibilities

Company owners and managers are responsible for:

Ensuring that operators are properly trained.
Maintaining accurate employee records.
Monitoring operator conduct.
Ensuring company vehicles are suitable for use.
Addressing complaints involving company personnel.
Reporting serious incidents to the DOT.
Enforcing the approved tow rate schedule.
Removing unauthorized or suspended operators from active duty.

Company management may be held responsible for repeated violations caused by poor supervision or inadequate training.

4. Tow Operator Certification

Tow operators must complete DOT-approved training before independently responding to calls.

Training should include:

The DOT Standard Operating Procedures.
This Tow Company Operations Annex.
Dispatch and radio procedures.
Roadside and incident-scene safety.
Vehicle loading and recovery procedures.
Impound documentation.
Police-hold procedures.
Interaction with civilians and emergency services.
Professional roleplay standards.

The DOT may require additional training following:

An extended absence.
A policy violation.
An unsafe incident.
A failed evaluation.
A significant procedural change.

Operators who have not completed the required training may only work under direct supervision.

5. Dispatch and Call Assignment

Tow operators must only respond to legitimate service requests.

Valid service requests may include:

DOT dispatch assignments.
Law-enforcement requests.
Fire or rescue requests.
Civilian roadside-assistance calls.
Approved private-property towing requests.
Properly documented company calls.

Operators must not:

Respond to calls they have not been assigned.
Follow emergency vehicles to obtain work.
Use metagaming to locate accidents or disabled vehicles.
Intercept calls assigned to another company.
Send unnecessary additional trucks.
Falsely report their availability.
Deliberately delay emergency-service requests.

Emergency-service and DOT requests take priority over standard civilian calls.

Operators should update their status when:

Beginning duty.
Accepting a call.
Travelling to a call.
Arriving on scene.
Transporting a vehicle.
Completing a call.
Returning to service.
Going unavailable.

6. Distribution Between Tow Companies

When multiple towing companies are contracted by the DOT, calls may be assigned based on:

Availability.
Distance.
Company rotation.
Required equipment.
Contract specialization.
Dispatch discretion.

Companies may be designated for specialist services, including:

Heavy recovery.
Commercial-vehicle towing.
Police impounds.
Evidence transport.
Off-road recovery.
Motorcycle recovery.
Large incident response.

Operators must respect assignments given to other companies.

An operator may only take over another company’s call when:

Dispatch reassigns the call.
The original company requests assistance.
The original operator becomes unavailable.
Additional recovery equipment is required.
An authorized official requests additional support.

7. Incident-Scene Operations

Emergency services retain control of active incident scenes.

Tow operators must:

Wait until the scene has been declared safe.
Follow instructions from law enforcement, fire, rescue, or DOT personnel.
Wear appropriate high-visibility clothing near active traffic.
Position towing vehicles safely.
Avoid blocking emergency-access routes.
Use warning lights and equipment appropriately.
Request additional traffic control when necessary.
Remain aware of moving traffic and emergency vehicles.

Vehicles must not be moved from an active scene until permission has been given by the department responsible for that scene.

Tow operators must not:

Disturb evidence.
Enter restricted areas without authorization.
Interfere with medical or rescue operations.
Move vehicles while occupants are still being treated.
Remove property from vehicles.
Argue with emergency personnel during active operations.
Share confidential scene information.

If a scene becomes unsafe, operators must stop recovery operations and move to a safe location.

8. Authorized Reasons for Towing

A vehicle may be towed for reasons including:

Mechanical breakdown.
Collision recovery.
Obstruction of a roadway.
Illegal or hazardous parking.
Abandonment.
Police impoundment.
DOT-ordered removal.
Approved private-property removal.
Recovery requested by the vehicle owner.
Obstruction of an emergency-access route.
An immediate safety risk.

Tow operators cannot independently declare a vehicle seized as evidence or place it on a police hold.

When the authority for a tow is unclear, operators must contact dispatch, the DOT, or law enforcement before moving the vehicle.

9. Private-Property Towing

Private-property towing must have a legitimate and documented reason.

Authorization may be provided by:

The property owner.
An authorized business representative.
Building management.
Authorized security personnel.
Law enforcement.
The Department of Transportation.

Operators should confirm:

The identity or authority of the requesting person.
The location of the vehicle.
The reason for removal.
Whether parking restrictions are clearly established.
The destination of the vehicle.

Private-property towing must never be used to target, harass, or retaliate against an individual.

10. Police and DOT-Ordered Tows

When a tow is requested by law enforcement or the DOT, the operator must follow all instructions provided by the requesting official.

The operator should record:

The requesting official.
The requesting department.
The reason for removal.
The vehicle’s license plate.
The vehicle make, model, and color.
The pickup location.
The delivery or impound location.
Visible pre-existing damage.
Whether the vehicle has been placed on hold.
Any special handling instructions.

A vehicle subject to a police hold must not be released until authorization has been received from the responsible department.

Unauthorized individuals must not be allowed to access a held vehicle.

11. Evidence Vehicles and Police Holds

Vehicles connected to criminal investigations may require additional protection.

When handling an evidence vehicle, operators must:

Follow all law-enforcement instructions.
Avoid entering the vehicle unless authorized.
Avoid moving or removing items inside the vehicle.
Transport the vehicle directly to the designated location.
Maintain the security of the vehicle.
Document who requested and received the vehicle.
Report any damage or unusual activity.

Operators must immediately report any attempt to:

Access a held vehicle without permission.
Remove evidence or personal property.
Alter tow or impound records.
Release a vehicle without authorization.
Bribe or pressure an operator.

12. Vehicle Care and Personal Property

Tow operators must take reasonable care when loading, transporting, and storing vehicles.

Operators must:

Document visible damage before towing where practical.
Use suitable towing and recovery equipment.
Secure vehicles correctly.
Report damage caused during towing.
Avoid unnecessary entry into vehicles.
Protect vehicles from avoidable damage.
Keep stored vehicles secure.

Operators may not search vehicles or remove personal property unless specifically authorized.

Any valuable property discovered during towing must be documented and reported.

Personal property must not be:

Used by company employees.
Sold or transferred.
Intentionally damaged.
Withheld as punishment.
Removed without authorization.
Shared with unauthorized individuals.

13. Impound Procedures

Every impounded vehicle must have a corresponding tow or impound record.

The record should include:

Date and time.
Vehicle details.
License plate.
Reason for impoundment.
Requesting person or department.
Tow operator.
Tow company.
Pickup location.
Storage location.
Hold or release status.
Applicable fees.
Visible vehicle damage.
Additional notes where necessary.

Impounded vehicles may only be released to an authorized person.

Valid identification, proof of ownership, payment, or departmental authorization may be required before release.

A vehicle must not be released when:

An active police hold remains in place.
Ownership or authorization cannot be established.
Required fees have not been paid.
Release would violate a lawful order.
The vehicle record is incomplete or disputed.

When there is uncertainty, the operator must contact company management or the responsible department.

14. Vehicle Storage Standards

Tow companies responsible for vehicle storage must:

Keep storage areas reasonably secure.
Restrict access to authorized personnel.
Maintain accurate vehicle records.
Prevent unauthorized vehicle use.
Report theft, damage, or unauthorized access.
Keep police-hold vehicles separated where practical.
Prevent operators from using impounded vehicles for personal purposes.

Tow companies remain responsible for vehicles while they are under company control.

15. Pricing and Payments

Contracted towing companies must follow the DOT Approved Tow Rate Schedule.

Companies may not:

Charge unreasonable or arbitrary fees.
Add undisclosed charges.
Increase prices because of OOC disagreements.
Demand payment through unauthorized systems.
Refuse to release an eligible vehicle after valid payment and authorization.
Use impoundment to harass or punish players.
Charge for services that were not performed.
Misrepresent company charges as government fees.
Change prices based on personal relationships.

All charges should be clearly explained where practical.

The exact prices are listed separately in the DOT Approved Tow Rate Schedule.

16. Professional Conduct

Company owners, managers, and operators represent both their company and the Department of Transportation.

They are expected to:

Act professionally.
Treat civilians and emergency personnel respectfully.
Follow lawful instructions.
Maintain realistic towing roleplay.
Protect confidential information.
Avoid conflicts of interest.
Remain impartial.
Use company equipment responsibly.
Communicate clearly and respectfully.

Operators must not:

Claim police or emergency-service authority.
Abuse access to impounded vehicles.
Share confidential incident information.
Steal calls from other companies.
Perform unrealistic towing actions.
Tow vehicles without a legitimate reason.
Use company access for personal retaliation.
Threaten customers with unauthorized impoundment.
Misuse warning lights.
Use company vehicles for reckless driving.

17. Vehicle and Equipment Standards

Tow company vehicles must be suitable for the services being performed.

Company vehicles should:

Be professionally maintained.
Display suitable company identification.
Use approved warning lights.
Carry appropriate recovery equipment.
Be suitable for the type of vehicle being recovered.
Remain reasonably clean and presentable.
Be operated safely and realistically.

Warning lights do not grant emergency-vehicle privileges.

Tow vehicles must not be used to:

Conduct traffic stops.
Force vehicles from the roadway.
Block vehicles without authorization.
Pursue fleeing vehicles.
Imitate law-enforcement vehicles.
Recklessly travel through traffic.

18. Confidentiality

Operators may gain access to sensitive information during DOT, police, or emergency-service operations.

Operators must not publicly share:

Active investigation details.
Personal information.
Vehicle-owner information.
Police-hold information.
Evidence details.
Restricted dispatch information.
Internal DOT communications.
Confidential company records.

Information may only be shared with authorized personnel who have a legitimate operational need.

19. Conflicts of Interest

Tow operators must remain impartial.

Operators must not:

Prioritize friends without an operational reason.
Waive or increase fees based on personal relationships.
Use company authority during personal disputes.
Tow a competitor’s vehicle without valid authorization.
Influence officials to receive unfair call assignments.
Accept bribes or improper benefits.
Use confidential information for personal advantage.

Potential conflicts of interest must be reported to company management or the DOT.

20. Complaints and Investigations

Complaints against towing companies or operators may be submitted to the DOT.

The DOT may investigate:

Unsafe operations.
Excessive fees.
Unprofessional behavior.
Unauthorized towing.
Improper vehicle release.
Damage to vehicles.
Interference with emergency services.
Abuse of company permissions.
Repeated inactivity.
Violations of the DOT SOP.
Falsified tow or impound records.
Misuse of confidential information.
Dispatch manipulation or call stealing.

Companies and operators are required to cooperate with DOT investigations.

During an investigation, the DOT may temporarily restrict:

Operator certification.
Company dispatch access.
Impound access.
Police-hold handling.
The company’s operating contract.

21. Disciplinary Measures

Depending on the severity of a violation, the DOT may issue:

Verbal guidance.
Formal warning.
Mandatory retraining.
Temporary operator suspension.
Removal of operator certification.
Temporary company-contract suspension.
Permanent termination of the company’s DOT contract.

Serious misconduct may result in immediate suspension while an investigation is conducted.

Serious misconduct may include:

Corruption.
Unauthorized vehicle access.
Theft.
Falsification of records.
Deliberate interference with emergency services.
Unauthorized release of a police-hold vehicle.
Repeated unsafe operations.
Deliberate vehicle damage.
Abuse of confidential information.
Accepting bribes.
Using a towing company for personal retaliation.

The DOT may skip disciplinary stages when the severity of the violation requires stronger action.

22. Contract Suspension or Termination

A company contract may be suspended or terminated because of:

Repeated operator violations.
Failure to maintain trained staff.
Unsafe business practices.
Excessive inactivity.
Refusal to follow DOT instructions.
Failure to maintain accurate records.
Price manipulation.
Serious misconduct by company management.
Repeated substantiated complaints.
Damage to the reputation or operation of the DOT.

When a contract is terminated, the company must immediately stop presenting itself as an approved DOT contractor.

The DOT may also revoke access to:

Dispatch systems.
Impound systems.
Tow-company records.
Police-hold vehicles.
DOT communication channels.
Departmental facilities.

23. Acknowledgement

All company owners, managers, and operators are responsible for reading and understanding this annex.

By operating as a contracted DOT towing company, the company and its operators acknowledge that:

The DOT SOP remains the leading policy.
Company approval is a privilege and not a permanent entitlement.
The DOT may review company performance.
Operators are accountable for their conduct.
Contracts may be suspended or terminated.
Failure to read the rules is not a valid defense.

Contractor Notice

This company is an approved contractor of the Department of Transportation. Its approval may be suspended or revoked if the company, its management, or its operators fail to comply with DOT policies, contractual requirements, applicable laws, or CSLRP community rules.# DOT Tow Company Operations Annex

All towing companies contracted by the Department of Transportation operate under the authority and oversight of the DOT.

Company owners, managers, and operators are required to follow the DOT Standard Operating Procedures, this Tow Company Operations Annex, all applicable laws, and all CSLRP community rules.

Where this annex conflicts with the main DOT Standard Operating Procedures, the DOT SOP shall take precedence.

1. Status of Contracted Tow Companies

Contracted towing companies are privately operated businesses authorized to provide towing, recovery, roadside-assistance, and impound services on behalf of the Department of Transportation.

Contracted towing companies:

Are not law-enforcement or emergency-service departments.
May only exercise authority specifically granted by the DOT.
Must follow instructions issued by authorized DOT personnel.
Remain responsible for the conduct of their owners, managers, and operators.
May have their approval suspended or revoked for policy violations.

Approval as a DOT-contracted towing company does not grant operators the authority to:

Detain individuals.
Search vehicles.
Conduct traffic stops.
Direct emergency scenes.
Pursue vehicles.
Perform law-enforcement duties.

2. Company Approval Requirements

Before operating under a DOT contract, a towing company must:

Be officially approved by DOT leadership.
Have an approved company name and ownership structure.
Maintain an up-to-date list of authorized operators.
Use suitable and professionally maintained towing vehicles.
Follow all DOT-approved pricing and operating standards.
Maintain professional conduct and reasonable activity levels.
Report changes in ownership or management to the DOT.
Cooperate with DOT inspections and contract reviews.

The DOT may review a company’s approval at any time.

3. Company Management Responsibilities

Company owners and managers are responsible for:

Ensuring that operators are properly trained.
Maintaining accurate employee records.
Monitoring operator conduct.
Ensuring company vehicles are suitable for use.
Addressing complaints involving company personnel.
Reporting serious incidents to the DOT.
Enforcing the approved tow rate schedule.
Removing unauthorized or suspended operators from active duty.

Company management may be held responsible for repeated violations caused by poor supervision or inadequate training.

4. Tow Operator Certification

Tow operators must complete DOT-approved training before independently responding to calls.

Training should include:

The DOT Standard Operating Procedures.
This Tow Company Operations Annex.
Dispatch and radio procedures.
Roadside and incident-scene safety.
Vehicle loading and recovery procedures.
Impound documentation.
Police-hold procedures.
Interaction with civilians and emergency services.
Professional roleplay standards.

The DOT may require additional training following:

An extended absence.
A policy violation.
An unsafe incident.
A failed evaluation.
A significant procedural change.

Operators who have not completed the required training may only work under direct supervision.

5. Dispatch and Call Assignment

Tow operators must only respond to legitimate service requests.

Valid service requests may include:

DOT dispatch assignments.
Law-enforcement requests.
Fire or rescue requests.
Civilian roadside-assistance calls.
Approved private-property towing requests.
Properly documented company calls.

Operators must not:

Respond to calls they have not been assigned.
Follow emergency vehicles to obtain work.
Use metagaming to locate accidents or disabled vehicles.
Intercept calls assigned to another company.
Send unnecessary additional trucks.
Falsely report their availability.
Deliberately delay emergency-service requests.

Emergency-service and DOT requests take priority over standard civilian calls.

Operators should update their status when:

Beginning duty.
Accepting a call.
Travelling to a call.
Arriving on scene.
Transporting a vehicle.
Completing a call.
Returning to service.
Going unavailable.

6. Distribution Between Tow Companies

When multiple towing companies are contracted by the DOT, calls may be assigned based on:

Availability.
Distance.
Company rotation.
Required equipment.
Contract specialization.
Dispatch discretion.

Companies may be designated for specialist services, including:

Heavy recovery.
Commercial-vehicle towing.
Police impounds.
Evidence transport.
Off-road recovery.
Motorcycle recovery.
Large incident response.

Operators must respect assignments given to other companies.

An operator may only take over another company’s call when:

Dispatch reassigns the call.
The original company requests assistance.
The original operator becomes unavailable.
Additional recovery equipment is required.
An authorized official requests additional support.

7. Incident-Scene Operations

Emergency services retain control of active incident scenes.

Tow operators must:

Wait until the scene has been declared safe.
Follow instructions from law enforcement, fire, rescue, or DOT personnel.
Wear appropriate high-visibility clothing near active traffic.
Position towing vehicles safely.
Avoid blocking emergency-access routes.
Use warning lights and equipment appropriately.
Request additional traffic control when necessary.
Remain aware of moving traffic and emergency vehicles.

Vehicles must not be moved from an active scene until permission has been given by the department responsible for that scene.

Tow operators must not:

Disturb evidence.
Enter restricted areas without authorization.
Interfere with medical or rescue operations.
Move vehicles while occupants are still being treated.
Remove property from vehicles.
Argue with emergency personnel during active operations.
Share confidential scene information.

If a scene becomes unsafe, operators must stop recovery operations and move to a safe location.

8. Authorized Reasons for Towing

A vehicle may be towed for reasons including:

Mechanical breakdown.
Collision recovery.
Obstruction of a roadway.
Illegal or hazardous parking.
Abandonment.
Police impoundment.
DOT-ordered removal.
Approved private-property removal.
Recovery requested by the vehicle owner.
Obstruction of an emergency-access route.
An immediate safety risk.

Tow operators cannot independently declare a vehicle seized as evidence or place it on a police hold.

When the authority for a tow is unclear, operators must contact dispatch, the DOT, or law enforcement before moving the vehicle.

9. Private-Property Towing

Private-property towing must have a legitimate and documented reason.

Authorization may be provided by:

The property owner.
An authorized business representative.
Building management.
Authorized security personnel.
Law enforcement.
The Department of Transportation.

Operators should confirm:

The identity or authority of the requesting person.
The location of the vehicle.
The reason for removal.
Whether parking restrictions are clearly established.
The destination of the vehicle.

Private-property towing must never be used to target, harass, or retaliate against an individual.

10. Police and DOT-Ordered Tows

When a tow is requested by law enforcement or the DOT, the operator must follow all instructions provided by the requesting official.

The operator should record:

The requesting official.
The requesting department.
The reason for removal.
The vehicle’s license plate.
The vehicle make, model, and color.
The pickup location.
The delivery or impound location.
Visible pre-existing damage.
Whether the vehicle has been placed on hold.
Any special handling instructions.

A vehicle subject to a police hold must not be released until authorization has been received from the responsible department.

Unauthorized individuals must not be allowed to access a held vehicle.

11. Evidence Vehicles and Police Holds

Vehicles connected to criminal investigations may require additional protection.

When handling an evidence vehicle, operators must:

Follow all law-enforcement instructions.
Avoid entering the vehicle unless authorized.
Avoid moving or removing items inside the vehicle.
Transport the vehicle directly to the designated location.
Maintain the security of the vehicle.
Document who requested and received the vehicle.
Report any damage or unusual activity.

Operators must immediately report any attempt to:

Access a held vehicle without permission.
Remove evidence or personal property.
Alter tow or impound records.
Release a vehicle without authorization.
Bribe or pressure an operator.

12. Vehicle Care and Personal Property

Tow operators must take reasonable care when loading, transporting, and storing vehicles.

Operators must:

Document visible damage before towing where practical.
Use suitable towing and recovery equipment.
Secure vehicles correctly.
Report damage caused during towing.
Avoid unnecessary entry into vehicles.
Protect vehicles from avoidable damage.
Keep stored vehicles secure.

Operators may not search vehicles or remove personal property unless specifically authorized.

Any valuable property discovered during towing must be documented and reported.

Personal property must not be:

Used by company employees.
Sold or transferred.
Intentionally damaged.
Withheld as punishment.
Removed without authorization.
Shared with unauthorized individuals.

13. Impound Procedures

Every impounded vehicle must have a corresponding tow or impound record.

The record should include:

Date and time.
Vehicle details.
License plate.
Reason for impoundment.
Requesting person or department.
Tow operator.
Tow company.
Pickup location.
Storage location.
Hold or release status.
Applicable fees.
Visible vehicle damage.
Additional notes where necessary.

Impounded vehicles may only be released to an authorized person.

Valid identification, proof of ownership, payment, or departmental authorization may be required before release.

A vehicle must not be released when:

An active police hold remains in place.
Ownership or authorization cannot be established.
Required fees have not been paid.
Release would violate a lawful order.
The vehicle record is incomplete or disputed.

When there is uncertainty, the operator must contact company management or the responsible department.

14. Vehicle Storage Standards

Tow companies responsible for vehicle storage must:

Keep storage areas reasonably secure.
Restrict access to authorized personnel.
Maintain accurate vehicle records.
Prevent unauthorized vehicle use.
Report theft, damage, or unauthorized access.
Keep police-hold vehicles separated where practical.
Prevent operators from using impounded vehicles for personal purposes.

Tow companies remain responsible for vehicles while they are under company control.

15. Pricing and Payments

Contracted towing companies must follow the DOT Approved Tow Rate Schedule.

Companies may not:

Charge unreasonable or arbitrary fees.
Add undisclosed charges.
Increase prices because of OOC disagreements.
Demand payment through unauthorized systems.
Refuse to release an eligible vehicle after valid payment and authorization.
Use impoundment to harass or punish players.
Charge for services that were not performed.
Misrepresent company charges as government fees.
Change prices based on personal relationships.

All charges should be clearly explained where practical.

The exact prices are listed separately in the DOT Approved Tow Rate Schedule.

16. Professional Conduct

Company owners, managers, and operators represent both their company and the Department of Transportation.

They are expected to:

Act professionally.
Treat civilians and emergency personnel respectfully.
Follow lawful instructions.
Maintain realistic towing roleplay.
Protect confidential information.
Avoid conflicts of interest.
Remain impartial.
Use company equipment responsibly.
Communicate clearly and respectfully.

Operators must not:

Claim police or emergency-service authority.
Abuse access to impounded vehicles.
Share confidential incident information.
Steal calls from other companies.
Perform unrealistic towing actions.
Tow vehicles without a legitimate reason.
Use company access for personal retaliation.
Threaten customers with unauthorized impoundment.
Misuse warning lights.
Use company vehicles for reckless driving.

17. Vehicle and Equipment Standards

Tow company vehicles must be suitable for the services being performed.

Company vehicles should:

Be professionally maintained.
Display suitable company identification.
Use approved warning lights.
Carry appropriate recovery equipment.
Be suitable for the type of vehicle being recovered.
Remain reasonably clean and presentable.
Be operated safely and realistically.

Warning lights do not grant emergency-vehicle privileges.

Tow vehicles must not be used to:

Conduct traffic stops.
Force vehicles from the roadway.
Block vehicles without authorization.
Pursue fleeing vehicles.
Imitate law-enforcement vehicles.
Recklessly travel through traffic.

18. Confidentiality

Operators may gain access to sensitive information during DOT, police, or emergency-service operations.

Operators must not publicly share:

Active investigation details.
Personal information.
Vehicle-owner information.
Police-hold information.
Evidence details.
Restricted dispatch information.
Internal DOT communications.
Confidential company records.

Information may only be shared with authorized personnel who have a legitimate operational need.

19. Conflicts of Interest

Tow operators must remain impartial.

Operators must not:

Prioritize friends without an operational reason.
Waive or increase fees based on personal relationships.
Use company authority during personal disputes.
Tow a competitor’s vehicle without valid authorization.
Influence officials to receive unfair call assignments.
Accept bribes or improper benefits.
Use confidential information for personal advantage.

Potential conflicts of interest must be reported to company management or the DOT.

20. Complaints and Investigations

Complaints against towing companies or operators may be submitted to the DOT.

The DOT may investigate:

Unsafe operations.
Excessive fees.
Unprofessional behavior.
Unauthorized towing.
Improper vehicle release.
Damage to vehicles.
Interference with emergency services.
Abuse of company permissions.
Repeated inactivity.
Violations of the DOT SOP.
Falsified tow or impound records.
Misuse of confidential information.
Dispatch manipulation or call stealing.

Companies and operators are required to cooperate with DOT investigations.

During an investigation, the DOT may temporarily restrict:

Operator certification.
Company dispatch access.
Impound access.
Police-hold handling.
The company’s operating contract.

21. Disciplinary Measures

Depending on the severity of a violation, the DOT may issue:

Verbal guidance.
Formal warning.
Mandatory retraining.
Temporary operator suspension.
Removal of operator certification.
Temporary company-contract suspension.
Permanent termination of the company’s DOT contract.

Serious misconduct may result in immediate suspension while an investigation is conducted.

Serious misconduct may include:

Corruption.
Unauthorized vehicle access.
Theft.
Falsification of records.
Deliberate interference with emergency services.
Unauthorized release of a police-hold vehicle.
Repeated unsafe operations.
Deliberate vehicle damage.
Abuse of confidential information.
Accepting bribes.
Using a towing company for personal retaliation.

The DOT may skip disciplinary stages when the severity of the violation requires stronger action.

22. Contract Suspension or Termination

A company contract may be suspended or terminated because of:

Repeated operator violations.
Failure to maintain trained staff.
Unsafe business practices.
Excessive inactivity.
Refusal to follow DOT instructions.
Failure to maintain accurate records.
Price manipulation.
Serious misconduct by company management.
Repeated substantiated complaints.
Damage to the reputation or operation of the DOT.

When a contract is terminated, the company must immediately stop presenting itself as an approved DOT contractor.

The DOT may also revoke access to:

Dispatch systems.
Impound systems.
Tow-company records.
Police-hold vehicles.
DOT communication channels.
Departmental facilities.

23. Acknowledgement

All company owners, managers, and operators are responsible for reading and understanding this annex.

By operating as a contracted DOT towing company, the company and its operators acknowledge that:

The DOT SOP remains the leading policy.
Company approval is a privilege and not a permanent entitlement.
The DOT may review company performance.
Operators are accountable for their conduct.
Contracts may be suspended or terminated.
Failure to read the rules is not a valid defense.

Contractor Notice

This company is an approved contractor of the Department of Transportation. Its approval may be suspended or revoked if the company, its management, or its operators fail to comply with DOT policies, contractual requirements, applicable laws, or CSLRP community rules.

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