Connecticut DMV Committee Expands Study of Towing Law to Help Low-Income Residents Get Their Cars Back

Published: Tuesday, September 9, 2025 at 5:45 pm

Connecticut DMV Working Group to Examine Towing Law, Potential for Further Reforms

A Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) working group has convened to review aspects of the state's towing laws, with the potential for significant reforms. The 10-member committee, which met for the first time recently, is tasked with reporting its recommendations to lawmakers by February.

Initially, the group was focused on the process of remitting proceeds from the sale of towed vehicles to the state. However, members have expressed interest in expanding the scope of their study to include how towing companies value vehicles and other elements of the sales process.

This initiative follows a year-long investigation that revealed the state's laws may favor towing companies at the expense of low-income residents. The committee is chaired by DMV Commissioner Tony Guerrera and includes towing company owners, consumer advocates, and other DMV officials.

The group is examining issues that persist in the towing industry and for vehicle owners, even after recent legislative changes. The legislation, which takes effect in October, aims to make it more difficult to tow vehicles from private property and easier for drivers to retrieve their cars. It also limits practices that allowed companies to initiate sales after a short period.

The new law also established the DMV working group to study how towers handle profits from vehicle sales. Under current regulations, towing companies can sell unclaimed vehicles but must hold the proceeds for a year. If the owner doesn't claim the funds, the company is required to remit them to the state, minus fees.

The DMV has not yet established a system for this process, and the working group aims to address this in its report. The group is also considering broader changes to assist low-income residents in retrieving their vehicles, including improving communication about tows and streamlining the process for vehicle valuation.

The committee is also considering a standardized process for determining the value of towed vehicles, as the current methods have raised concerns. Representatives from the towing industry have also expressed a need to modernize the DMV's process for authorizing vehicle sales.

The working group aims to present a unified set of recommendations to the legislature's Transportation Committee by February.

BNN's Perspective:

This is a positive step towards addressing the concerns of both consumers and the towing industry. Finding a balance that protects vehicle owners while allowing towing companies to operate efficiently is crucial. The focus on transparency and streamlining processes is a welcome development.

Keywords: Connecticut, DMV, towing, law, reforms, vehicle sales, low-income residents, consumer protection, vehicle valuation, legislation, towing companies, vehicle owners, regulations, fees, transportation, committee, report

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