Tow Truck Bill 2023 (Qld)

An Act to regulate the operation of tow trucks to remove motor vehicles from private property and damaged and seized motor vehicles, to amend this Act, the Photo Identification Card Act 2008, the Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000, the State Penalties Enforcement Act 1999, the Transport Operations (Passenger Transport) Act 1994, the Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act 1995 and the Transport Planning and Coordination Act 1994 for particular purposes, and to repeal the Tow Truck Act 1973 The Parliament of Queensland enacts—

Part 1 Preliminary

Division 1 Introduction

1 Short title This Act may be cited as the Tow Truck Act 2023.

2 Commencement This Act commences on a day to be fixed by proclamation.

3 Main purposes of Act (1) The main purposes of this Act are— (a) to facilitate best practice in the tow truck industry by providing a balanced framework for regulating the operation of tow trucks to carry out regulated towing; and (b) to protect the public by ensuring tow trucks carrying out regulated towing are operated in a safe, competent and professional way and at a reasonable cost to consumers; and (c) to protect public safety and the safety of the road network through ensuring the following in regulated areas— (i) the safe and efficient removal of motor vehicles damaged in an incident from the scene of the incident and seized motor vehicles from the place of seizure; (ii) the safe removal of motor vehicles parked on private property. (2) The main purposes are achieved by— (a) requiring persons who conduct tow truck businesses, and persons involved in operating tow trucks to carry out regulated towing, to hold an accreditation; and (b) requiring persons who hold an accreditation to comply with duties, obligations, standards of conduct and other requirements directed at ensuring— (i) the safety of the public, including other persons involved in the carrying out of regulated towing; and (ii) the protection of consumers; and (iii) the secure storage of towed motor vehicles and movable property in towed motor vehicles; and (iv) public confidence in the towing industry; and (c) regulating the charges that may be imposed in relation to regulated towing.