Conn. Gen. Stat. § 14-66: Wreckers used for towing and transporting motor vehicles. Registration. Distinguishing number plates. Exceptions. Penalties.

(a) For the purposes of this section:

(1) “Nonconsensual towing or transporting” means the towing or transporting and recovery of a motor vehicle without the prior consent or authorization of the owner or operator of the motor vehicle performed (A) in accordance with the provisions of section 14-145, or (B) pursuant to an order of a police officer or traffic authority;

(2) “Police officer” has the same meaning as provided in section 7-294a;

(3) “Traffic authority” has the same meaning as provided in section 14-297; and

(4) “Recovery” means winching, hoisting, uprighting or other similar function performed by a wrecker service to return a motor vehicle to a position where the towing or transporting may be initiated.

(b) No person, firm or corporation shall engage in the business of operating a wrecker for the purpose of towing or transporting motor vehicles, including motor vehicles which are disabled, inoperative or wrecked or are being removed in accordance with the provisions of section 14-145, 14-150 or 14-307, unless such person, firm or corporation is a motor vehicle dealer or repairer licensed pursuant to the provisions of section 14-52. Any person aggrieved by any action of the commissioner under the provisions of this section may appeal therefrom in accordance with section 4-183, except venue for such appeal shall be in the judicial district of New Britain.

(c) Each wrecker used for towing or transporting motor vehicles shall be registered as a wrecker by the commissioner for a fee of one hundred twenty-five dollars. Each such registration shall be renewed biennially according to renewal schedules established by the commissioner so as to effect staggered renewal of all such registrations. If the adoption of a staggered system results in the expiration of any registration more or less than two years from its issuance, the commissioner may charge a prorated amount for such registration fee.

(d) An owner of a wrecker may apply to the commissioner for a general distinguishing number and number plate for the purpose of displaying such number plate on a motor vehicle temporarily in the custody of such owner and being towed or transported by such owner. The commissioner shall issue such number and number plate to an owner of a wrecker (1) who has complied with the requirements of this section, and (2) whose wrecker is equipped in accordance with subsection (e) of this section. The commissioner shall charge a fee to cover the cost of issuance and renewal of such number plates.

(e) (1) The commissioner, or an inspector authorized by the commissioner, shall examine each wrecker, including its number, equipment and identification, and shall determine the mechanical condition of such wrecker and whether or not it is properly equipped to do the work intended. A wrecker shall be deemed properly equipped if there are flashing yellow lights installed and mounted on such wrecker that (A) show in all directions at all times, and (B) are as close to the back of the cab of such wrecker as practicable. Such lights shall be in operation when such wrecker is towing a vehicle and when such wrecker is at the scene of an accident or the location of a disabled motor vehicle. In addition, each wrecker shall be equipped with a spot light mounted so that its beam of light is directed toward the hoisting equipment in the rear of such wrecker. The hoisting equipment of each wrecker shall be of sufficient capacity to perform the service intended and shall be securely mounted to the frame of such vehicle. A fire extinguisher shall be carried at all times on each wrecker which shall be in proper working condition, mounted in a permanent bracket on each wrecker and have a minimum rating of eight bc. A set of three flares in operating condition shall be carried at all times on each wrecker and shall be used between the periods of one-half hour after sunset and one-half hour before sunrise when the wrecker is parked on a highway while making emergency repairs or preparing to pick up a disabled vehicle to remove it from a highway or adjoining property.

(2) No wrecker service shall offer to give any gratuities or inducements of any kind to any police officer or other person in order to obtain towing business or recommendations for towing or storage of, or estimating repairs to, disabled vehicles.

(3) No wrecker service shall require the owner of a disabled vehicle to sign a contract for the repair or storage of such owner's disabled vehicle as part of the consideration for towing such vehicle or to sign an order for the repair of, or authorization for estimating repairs to such vehicle, until the tow job has been completed. Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed to prohibit the wrecker service and owner of the disabled vehicle from entering into an agreement for the repair or storage of such vehicle upon the completion of the tow.

(4) No wrecker service shall tow a vehicle in such a negligent manner as to cause further damage to the vehicle being towed.

(5) No wrecker service shall knowingly permit any person to occupy a vehicle while the vehicle is being towed.

(f) With respect to the nonconsensual towing or transporting of a motor vehicle, no wrecker service may tow or transport a vehicle to the premises of any person, firm or corporation engaged in the storage of vehicles for compensation unless such person, firm or corporation adheres to the storage charges published by the commissioner in accordance with section 14-66d.

(g) The provisions of this section shall not apply to any person, firm, corporation or association: (1) Towing or transporting a motor vehicle, provided such person, firm, corporation or association is licensed as a motor vehicle dealer pursuant to the provisions of section 14-52 and does not offer direct towing or transporting to the public or engage in nonconsensual towing or transporting; (2) operating as an automobile club or automobile association licensed under section 14-67; (3) operating as a motor vehicle recycler licensed under section 14-67l or any contractor of such recycler, provided such recycler or its contractor does not offer towing or transporting to the public or engage in nonconsensual towing or transporting; (4) engaging in the business of repossession of motor vehicles for lending institutions, provided it does not offer direct towing or transporting unless licensed as a motor vehicle dealer pursuant to the provisions of section 14-52; (5) towing motor vehicles owned or leased by such person, firm, association or corporation; (6) towing or transporting motor vehicles for hire, with the appropriate operating authority, as defined in 49 CFR 390.5, as amended from time to time, provided such person, firm, corporation or association does not offer towing or transporting to the public or engage in nonconsensual towing or transporting; or (7) towing motor vehicles to or from an auction conducted by a motor vehicle dealer licensed pursuant to the provisions of section 14-52, provided such person, firm, corporation or association does not offer direct towing or transporting to the public or engage in nonconsensual towing or transporting.

(h) Any police officer or traffic authority may determine that a vehicle blocking a travel lane on a limited access highway constitutes an emergency and a threat to public safety. Upon such determination, such officer or traffic authority may direct the wrecker service to remove such vehicle. Any such wrecker service shall be held harmless from liability or causes of action for property damages incurred to such vehicle or to its contents or the surrounding area caused by such emergency removal, provided such removal measures are taken under the direction of such officer or authority and all reasonable care is taken by the wrecker service to limit any further damage to such vehicle, such vehicle's contents or the surrounding area.

(i) Any person, firm, corporation or association that violates the provisions of this section shall, for a first offense, be deemed to have committed an infraction and for a second or subsequent offense, shall be guilty of a class D misdemeanor.