Great site with alot of good info on it. I moved up here to Ohio from Texas. Back home i worked for a small towing and recovery company. My question is what are or where can i find the regulations and laws for the towing industry here in Ohio? Do you have to be licensed or take some type of state recognized training? I've tried asking around here but with our town being so small i get the impression that the operators here are afraid that im trying to start up a company and are really not willing to lend any advice.
No state licensing, some cities have local licensing. Unless you cover just one city and the adjoining cities, you need to be registered with the Ohio PUCO. And PUCO requires you to register with US-DOT.
You can register as either an Intrastate or Interstate operator. I don't see any benefits of registering as Intrastate but there may be some. I'm registered as a regular motor carrier so I can haul "anything" not just cars.
Also be aware that Ohio taxes certain specific services. You will need a vendors' license and collect sales taxes.
"Towing" a disabled vehicle is taxable. "Transporting" an operating vehicle is not taxable.
Thanks jason thats what i was thinking just was not real sure.
Also there is or was legislation pending in Ohio that would license towing companies and subject owners to background checks etc.
Frankly in looking it over I thought it was too restrictive. However I do think that we need some sort of state licensing to cut down on the cash only / no taxes / no insurance operators. But then those guys can be caught now, it's just a matter of enforcing current laws.
If you're interested in looking at the legislation PM me and I'll point you in the right direction.
I agree with you Jason there should be some kind of check and balance system in place, However most of the time that system is some type pf high dollar fee to the state and or county/city. In Texas many counties require you to buy E-Tags for your truck if you want to work wrecks as well as having the tow tags to operate.