TITLE 595. DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

RULEMAKING ACTION:

Notice of proposed PERMANENT rulemaking

PROPOSED RULES:

Subchapter 1. General Provisions
595:25-1-2. Definitions [AMENDED]
Subchapter 3. Wrecker License
595:25-3-1. General Requirements [AMENDED]
595:25-3-4. Trade name [AMENDED]
Subchapter 5. All Wrecker Operators
595:25-5-1. Physical requirements for storage facility [AMENDED]
595:25-5-9. Inspections [AMENDED]
Subchapter 7. Class AA Operators
595:25-7-2. Release and holding of vehicle [AMENDED]
Subchapter 9. Oklahoma Highway Patrol Rotation Log – Additional Requirements
595:25-9-2. Operator requirements [AMENDED]
595:25-9-3. Rotation calls for truck wreckers (Class AA-TL) [AMENDED]

SUMMARY:

The proposed rule amendments updates definitions and the list of individuals who would not be eligible to obtain a wrecker services license from the Department of Public Safety. The rules further remove the authority of DPS to approve any trade name submitted by a wrecker service company. The rules establish what large truck operators should be capable of and what is expected at the scene of a blockage of one or more lanes of traffic.

AUTHORITY:

Commissioner of Public Safety; 47 O.S. § 952.

COMMENT PERIOD:

Persons wishing to present their views in writing may do so before 5:00 p.m. on March 19, 2020 at the following address: Kimberly Dammen, Office of Legislative Services, Department of Public Safety, P.O. Box 11415, Oklahoma City, OK 73136, or click to email Kimberly.dammen@dps.ok.gov.

PUBLIC HEARING:

A public hearing will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, March 20, 2020 at the Robert R. Lester Training Center, Classroom E, 3600 N. Martin Luther King Ave., Oklahoma City, OK 73111. Anyone who wishes to speak must sign in at the door by 2:05 p.m.

REQUESTS FOR COMMENTS FROM BUSINESS ENTITIES:

Business entities affected by these proposed rules are requested to provide the Department of Public Safety, within the comment period, in dollar amounts if possible, the increase in the level of direct services, revenue loss, or other costs expected to be incurred by, but not limited to, recordkeeping, equipment, construction, and labor the business will incur due to compliance with the proposed rules. business entities may submit this information in writing to Kimberly Dammen, at the above addresses before the close of the comment period on March 19, 2020.

COPIES OF PROPOSED RULES:

The proposed rules may be viewed on the agency's website at ww.ok.gov/dps and copies may be obtained from the Department of Public Safety's office located at 3600 N. Martin Luther King Ave., Oklahoma City, OK 73111. Copies may also be obtained by written request mailed to the attention of Kimberly Dammen, Office of Legislative Services, Department of Public Safety, P.O. Box 11415, Oklahoma City, OK 73136, or click to email Kimberly.dammen@dps.ok.gov.

RULE IMPACT STATEMENT:

Pursuant to 75 O.S. § 303(D), a rule impact statement has been prepared and will be available for review at the above address.

CONTACT PERSON:

Kimberly Dammen, 405-425-2241, or click to email Kimberly.dammen@dps.ok.gov, or by mail at Department of Public Safety, P.O. Box 11415, Oklahoma City, OK 73136

595:25-1-2. Definitions

Any reference to "this Act" means 47 O.S. § 951 et seq. unless otherwise specified. The following words and terms, when used in this Chapter, shall have the following meaning, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Call" means each request for service of an operator resulting in an operator being able to receive compensation for these services.

"Commissioners Designee" means Thethe authorized individual such as a director or administrative officer of the division.

"Class AA wrecker operator" or "AA truck wrecker operator" means any wrecker operator who also meets all the requirements of 47 O.S. § 952(D) for towing for law enforcement agencies. Class AA may also be used for private property towing and consent towing. Class AA must have the ability to tow, recover and haul.

"Class AA Wrecker Support Vehicle" or "Support Vehicle" means a general class wrecker capable of assisting and supporting the towing and recovery at the scene of an incident.

"Commission" means the Oklahoma Corporation Commission.

"Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Public Safety, as defined by 47 O.S. § 1-109 and as described in 47 O.S. § 2-102.

"Department" means the Department of Public Safety.

"DPS number" means a permanent number assigned to a wrecker operator, by the Department which is personal and unique to the wrecker service.

"GVWR" means gross vehicle weight rating.

"Incident Management (IM)" means any on or off roadway incident in which traffic clow is significantly reduced, delayed or stopped as a result of vehicle collisions, cargo/content spills, visibility/weather conditions, or any other hazards associated with severe reductions of vehicular speed and movement within a traffic lane or lanes.

"IM categories" means the severity of the incident. Minor incident is any incident which can be mitigated within thirty (30) minutes or less with limited traffic interference;
Intermediate incident is any incident in which mitigation is thirty (30) to sixty (60) minutes in length and one or more vehicle lanes of travel are affected; and
Major incident is any incident in which mitigation is greater than sixty (60) minutes in length and one or more lanes of travel are affected and the potential for special equipment may be needed and utilized for IM.

"Inspection Officer" means the Individualindividual that has been trained and certified by the Department to inspect wrecker vehicles and wrecker facilities.

"Junk vehicle" means a vehicle which is ten (10) years old or older and worth less than three hundred dollars ($300.00) [42 O.S. §91].

"Law enforcement tow" means a tow of a vehicle made by an operator when a law enforcement officer compels a vehicle be towed or makes a request for a tow using a law enforcement rotation log and to which the rates and fees as prescribed by the Corporation Commission shall apply.

"Nonconsensual tow" means the transportation of a vehicle without the consent or knowledge of the vehicle's owner, possessor, agent, insurer, lien holder, or any other person in possession of or in charge of any vehicle and includes the transportation or towing of the vehicle under lawful circumstances or necessity for the public interest including removing from the roadway for public safety or public convenience, or accidents, by any law enforcement officer or property agent or removal from public or private property as a result of abandonment or unauthorized parking by the property owner, agent, possessor, or other legal entity for the property owner. [47 O.S. § 951(10)]

"Officer" means any peace officer.

"Operator" means any person or legal entity owning or operating a licensed wrecker vehicle or a licensed wrecker or towing service and any employee thereof.

"Owner request tow" means a tow of a vehicle made by an operator at the request of the owner, or authorized agent of the owner and which is not compelled or required by a law enforcement officer.

"Principal Place of business" or "Business location" means a permanent structure, not mounted on wheels, occupied by the wrecker operator at the physical address of the wrecker service, as shown on the wrecker license, with a publicly listed telephone number phone service and functioning utilities including but not limited to electricity and water, where normal business is transacted and all wrecker records are maintained. Effective January 1, 2005, the place of business shall be located in Oklahoma. The principal business full address, including county, must be verified by documentation, such as company letterhead, business card, tax documents, or other official business documents. The facility must be capable and large enough to conduct business, storage of records and all transactions of business. Any additional location or locations within twenty-five (25) miles of the principal place of  business will be considered an extension location and will not be made to meet the requirements of the primary/principal business office but shall meet all storage requirements. All business transactions including, but not limited to, invoicing, ticketing, receipting, releasing, and collecting payment, will be conducted at the location in which the vehicle is stored.

"Private Property Tow" means a tow of a vehicle which is made from private property by an operator at the request of the owner, legal possessor, or authorized agent in control of the real property, which shall be towed under the provisions of 47 O.S. § 954A and to which the rates and fees as prescribed by the Corporation Commissioner shall apply.

"Rotation log" means a list for each Highway Patrol Troop of the Department of current Class AA wrecker operators, meeting the qualifications of Class AA truck wrecker services, whose place of business are within the geographical boundaries of the Troop and who have requested and been approved by the Department to be on the list. This list governs the alternation among approved Class AA-TL truck wrecker operators only.

"Tow/Towing" means the use of a wrecker vehicle to lift, pull, move, haul or otherwise transport any other vehicle by means of: (a) attaching the vehicle to and pulling the vehicle with the wrecker vehicle, or (b) loading the vehicle onto and transporting the vehicle upon the wrecker vehicle". [47 O.S. § 951(3)]

"Traffic tie-up" means any situation in which any officer deems it necessary to control the orderly flow of traffic.

"Truck wreckers" means every motor vehicle properly designed and equipped according to Department of Public Safety specifications with wrecker body and winch or lifting apparatus suitably designed to safely move, pull or tow wrecked, damaged or disabled trucks, truck-tractors, road tractors, trailers, semi-trailers, buses and/or other vehicles and conveyances that use the highways of the state of Oklahoma. The designation as a truck wrecker shall be used for Class AA-TL wrecker vehicles only.

"Truck wrecker rotation log" means a list for each Highway Patrol Troop of the Department of current Class AA wrecker operators, meeting the qualifications of Class AA truck wrecker services, whose places of business are with in the geographical boundaries of the Troop and who have requested and been approved by the Department to be on the list. This list governs the alternation among approved Class AA-TL truck wrecker operators only.

"Wrecker dolly" means a wheeled device which is used to support one end of a motor vehicle for towing.

"Wrecker license" means the wrecker license as provided by 47 O.S. § 951, et seq.

"Wrecker operator" means any operator who is licensed under this chapter and the laws of this state and who meets all requirements of the rules of this Chapter, pertaining to wrecker vehicles as defined in this Chapter.

"Wrecker or towing service", "wrecker service", or "towing service" means engaging in the business of or performing the act of towing or offering to tow any vehicle, except: (a) where the operator owns the towed vehicle and displays on both sides of the wrecker vehicle in plainly visible letters not less than two (2) inches in height the words "NOT FOR HIRE", (b) where the service is performed by a transporter as defined in [47 O.S.] section 1-181 of this title, (c) where service is performed in conjunction with the transportation of household goods and property, (d) where the wrecker vehicle is owned or operated by the United States government, the State of Oklahoma, or any department or political subdivision thereof, or (e) where the service is performed by an out-of-state wrecker service at the request of the vehicle owner or operator, and the vehicle is being towed: (1) in either direction across the border between Oklahoma and a neighboring state, or (2) through Oklahoma in transit to another state; provided, the out-of-state wrecker service shall comply with all other requirements regarding interstate commerce as set forth in law. [47 O.S. § 951(6)]

"Wrecker" or "wrecker vehicle", as defined by 47 OS. § 951, et. seq., means any vehicle, other than a transport as defined in 47 O.S. §1-181, equipped with a winch, cable or other device designed to lift, pull or move a disabled vehicle incapable of self-propulsion. (Does not include a vehicle with a push bumper only.)

(A) Class AA - Any wrecker vehicle not less than nine thousand pounds (9,000 lbs.) GVWR and meeting minimum requirements as established for Class AA wreckers in this Chapter.
(B) Class AA-TM - Any wrecker vehicle not less than twenty-four thousand pounds (24,000 lbs.) GVWR and meeting minimum requirements as established for Class AA-TM Wreckers in this Chapter.
(C) Class AA-TL - Any wrecker vehicle not less than forty-four thousand pounds (44,000 lbs.) GVWR and meeting minimum requirements as established for Class AA-TL Wreckers in this Chapter.
(D) Class G (General) - All other wrecker vehicles as defined by 47 O.S. § 951, et. seq., provided a Class G General wrecker shall also be considered a wrecker support vehicle for the purposes of 47 O.S. § 12-218.1. If a Class G wrecker service provides storage, it must meet the same facilities, storage, and insurance as a Class AA wrecker service. If the Class G wrecker service does not provide storage, it will not be required to meet the facilities, storage and insurance requirements as a Class AA wrecker service. Class G wreckers services must meet the Class G vehicle requirements and must have a verified primary business location.

SUBCHAPTER 3. WRECKER LICENSE

595:25-3-1. General requirements

The following are the requirements for obtaining an original or renewal of a wrecker license:

(1) License required. No operator as defined by law, regardless of storage location, shall operate a wrecker vehicle upon any public street, road or highway of this state for the offering to tow vehicles or the actual towing of vehicles without first obtaining from the Department a license as provided in this Chapter. Any wrecker vehicle being operated on any public street, road, highway or turnpike in violation of Oklahoma law or these rules may be removed from service by Oklahoma law enforcement officers.
(2) Display and use. An operator's wrecker service license shall be personal to the holder thereof and a wrecker vehicle license shall be unique to the vehicle. Each license shall be issued only to a person, a corporation or some definite legal entity. The licenses are non-transferable and any change in ownership, whether of a wrecker service or wrecker vehicle, shall cancel the applicable license. The wrecker service license shall be conspicuously displayed at the primary place of business. The license shall be valid only at the place of business as shown on the license. Additional or satellite places of business shall not be permitted or approved on the same license but shall require a separate application and license.
(3) Reason for application. No showing of public convenience or necessity need to be made in support of an application for a wrecker or towing license.
(4) Issuance. No license for operation of a wrecker or towing service shall be issued until:

(A) The wrecker operator has a minimum of one towing/wrecker vehicle,
(B) Certificates of insurance as prescribed by the Department are on file with the Department,
(C) Each wrecker vehicle has been inspected by an officer of the Department to verify that equipment requirements of this Chapter have been met, and
(D) Each wrecker operator and driver of a wrecker/towing vehicle has successfully completed a minimum of 16 hours of Department approved course of training or have a minimum of 2 years of experience on the following:

(i) Traffic incident management
(ii) Wrecker vehicle recovery controls
(iii) Connecting or loading vehicle onto wrecker
(iv) Tie down and secure vehicle to wrecker
(v) Wrecker operation safety
(vi) Annually complete 4 hours of continuing education approved by the department

(5) Carry license. A copy of the wrecker vehicle license issued by the Department shall be carried at all times in the wrecker vehicle for which the license was issued.
(6) Return license to Department. Any wrecker operator that disposes of or deletes any wrecker vehicle from operation shall return the license and window decal issued for that particular vehicle and window decal to the Department of Public Safety. When an unlicensed wrecker vehicle is observed with decals identifying it as a licensed wrecker vehicle, law enforcement personal may remove the decals and seize the cab card license and return both to the Department. Any operator that cancels its last remaining wrecker vehicle from operation will have thirty (30) days to have another wrecker vehicle inspected, approved, and licensed or the wrecker license issued to that operator will be cancelled.
(7) Additional wreckers. Any wrecker operator that adds a wrecker vehicle shall:

(A) Register the wrecker vehicle with the Oklahoma Tax Commission, in the name of the operator or the name of the wrecker service, and properly display a current license plate. A leased wrecker vehicle shall show the owner information and the name of the lessee on the vehicle registration.
(B) Notify the Department of the make, model, GVW and serial number of the vehicle.
(C) Send notification to the Department from the insurance carrier of the wrecker operator that the vehicle has been added to present insurance coverage.
(D) Have the vehicle inspected and approved by an employee of the Department.
(E) A wrecker license plate, or a proportional license plate, must be purchased and affixed to the wrecker vehicle after the vehicle has been inspected and approved and before the vehicle can be used by the operator to tow vehicles.

(8) License number and business name.

(A) The DPS number issued to the operator by the Department for the operation of a wrecker or towing service, along with the name of the wrecker service, shall be clearly visible at all times and shall be conspicuously displayed and vertically centered on each side of every tow vehicle used by the operator in the wrecker or towing service. All wrecker services will display AA or G designation at the end of the DPS number. Example: DPS 12345W AA or DPS 12345WG.
(B) On wrecker vehicles in use the DPS number and business name shall be at least three inches (3") in height. The font shall not be a font which is highly decorative or difficult to read. The lettering shall be in a color that will contrast with the color of the tow vehicle in order to be readily noticed and legible.
(C) The signage required by this paragraph shall be permanent in nature and shall not contain any misleading or false information. The wrecker vehicle shall not have more than one wrecker service name on the vehicle.
(D) Magnetic signs are not approved; provided, if requested of and approved by the Commissioner's designee, a magnetic sign may be used for a period of thirty (30) days in an emergency situation.

(9) Service of notice. Any notice required by law or by the rules of the Department served upon any holder of a wrecker or towing license shall be served personally or mailed to the last known address of such a person as reflected by the records on file with the Department. It is the duty of every holder of a certificate or license to notify the Department of Public Safety, Wrecker Services Division, in writing as to any change in the address of such person or of the place of business.
(10) License prohibited.

(A) No person under eighteen (18) years of age shall be licensed or employed as a wrecker operator.
(B) No person shall be licensed as a wrecker/towing service operator or employee who has been convicted of:

(i) a felony offense constitution a violent crime as defined in 57 O.S.§ 571, larceny, theft. Felony convictions expunged through deferred sentencing will not be considered as convictionsor untruthfulness; or
(ii) any provision of Title 21 O.S. §1029 while providing wrecker services; or

(C) No person shall be licensed as a wrecker/towing service or be employed by a wrecker/towing service until five (5) years after completion of the sentence for the conviction, including probation or supervised release. In cases of deferred judgment and sentence, the prohibition shall extend to five (5) years after the end of the deferred judgment and sentence.
(D) Any person who is required to register as a sex offender, as required by 57 O.S. § 582, shall be prohibited from owning or working for a wrecker service for the period of time the person is or is required to be registered.
(E) Nothing in this section prohibits the Commissioner of Public Safety or his or her designee from approving, denying, suspending, cancelling, or not renewing a wrecker license if it is determined to be in the best interest of public safety.

(11) One Class AA license per place of business. Wrecker operators shall be issued no more than one Class AA wrecker license for any one place of business.
(12) One Class AA wrecker service on Oklahoma Highway Patrol 's rotation log in same rotation area. An operator shall be permitted to rotate no more than one Class AA wrecker service in the same Highway Patrol rotation area on the Highway Patrol 's rotation log. For purposes of this paragraph, "Class A wrecker service" shall include those services with a Class AA-TL wrecker vehicle.
(13) Business telephone number. Each wrecker service shall have a telephone number published that is accessible to the public twenty-four hours a day. The operator shall provide in writing to the Department notice of any permanent business telephone number change prior to the new telephone number being placed in service.
(14) Business sign. Each AA Wrecker Service and each G Wrecker Service with storage shall have a business sign at the business location. The sign shall be at least 2 feet by 4 feet with letters at least 3 inches in height with contrasting background and shall display, at a minimum, the name of the wrecker service as shown on the license and a telephone number accessible to the public twenty-four (24) hours a day.
(15) Wrecker drivers. Wrecker services shall notify the Wrecker Services Division within ten (10) days of hiring or termination of employment of any wrecker driver.

595:25-3-4. Trade name

(a) Each operator shall use a unique trade name, approved by the Department, which shall be printed and appear on the license and shall be clearly distinguishable from the trade name of any other operator. Provided, however, the Department shall approve any trade name which has been accepted and currently registered with Oklahoma 's Secretary of State.
(b) Upon written request by the operator, the Department may change the trade name of a wrecker or towing service if there is no change in ownership. The identifying number shall be retained and no license fee shall be assessed.
(c) Any change in ownership due to sale, merger, dissolution, or any other reason, except as provided in subsection (d), shall reserve the wrecker service trade name for a period of sixty (60) days, during which time the successor or owner shall apply for a wrecker license using the same trade name or another trade name. However, the successor may not operate as a licensed wrecker service until the application has been accepted and approved by the Department.
(d) When the owner of a sole-proprietorship wrecker service dies, the wrecker license shall be considered cancelled by the Department effective upon the date of the death of the owner. Upon the death of the wrecker service owner, the wrecker service shall be immediately removed from Oklahoma Highway Patrol rotation. The heirs shall apply for a reinstatement of the wrecker service license using the same name and the same Department-assigned number; provided, the application shall be treated by the Department as a new application, and all procedures and fees shall apply.

595:25-5-1. Physical requirements for storage facility

(a) General Requirements. All wrecker operators, who, in conjunction with or as part of a licensed wrecker operation, store, park or maintain possession of a towed vehicle, shall store such vehicle in a storage facility which shall meet the minimum physical requirements prescribed in this Section. No vehicle shall be stored in any facility or area which has not been inspected and approved by the Department except in case of exceptional circumstances such as natural disasters or at the direction of law enforcement officers at the scene of an incident.

(1) An operator shall not store vehicles:

(A) At their home,
(B) In another operator's storage lot; or
(C) Any other location unknown to the Department.

(2) The entrance to the storage facility shall be separate from any other business entity.
(3) A vehicle accepted for storage may not be altered without consent of the vehicle owner or their authorized representative.
(4) No stored vehicle may be used for personal or business use without the prior written consent of the vehicle's owner.

(b) Outdoor Storage Facilities.

(1) Every primary outdoor storage facility:

(A) Shall be designed to be minimum of 5000 square feet for small truck and minimum of 15000 square feet for large truck in size. A previously licensed proprietor, partnership or corporation business will be allowed to renew the DPS license for their location unless they are changing locations of business.
(B) Shall be surrounded completely by a fence. Construction material for fences shall be of wood, metal, chain link or masonry and be at least six feet (6') in height built solid, firmly and securely to provide the best protection for restricted access. Livestock paneling (welded wire) shall not be used unless the wire diameter is equal to or larger than 8 gauge (0.160 diameter) with horizontal panels no larger than 4" x 4". T-post construction shall not be approved. Outdoor storage facilities, effective July 1, 2014, shall meet new standards or if facilities previous of date, upon a failed inspection, if found the fence did not meet previous standards, new standards will be imposed.
(C) Shall have at least one (1) gate of the same quality of material and height of the fence and must be locked if not attended.
(D) The storage lot area:

(i) Shall be maintained, including but not limited to removal of tall weeds, overgrown vegetation and debris;
(ii) The lot surface shall be an all-weather surface such as concrete, asphalt, blacktop, gravel, or any materials equivalent;
(iii) And cover the complete area of the storage lot that enables the safe and effective movement of stored vehicles upon all portions of the storage lot.

(2) If the construction requirements in paragraph (1) of this subsection are in violation of municipal zoning ordinances or other laws, regulations, or ordinances, the operator may file with the Department a petition for exemption and a proposed security plan in lieu of the requirements, which the Department may approve. The operator shall attach a copy of such zoning ordinance or other laws, regulations, or ordinances with the petition.

(c) Facility Location and Number.

(1) A minimum of one (1) primary storage facility shall be located within a two (2) mile radius of the place of business address as reflected on the wrecker license and, effective January 1, 2005, shall be located within Oklahoma. Secondary storage facilities may be located outside the two (2) mile radius.
(2) Each vehicle stored must be initially stored and held at the primary storage facility. After thirty (30) days from date of initial storage, vehicles may be moved to a secondary storage facility. The provisions of this paragraph shall not apply to junk vehicles.

(d) Alternate Primary Storage Facility. In lieu of or in addition to the primary storage facility described in this Section, a wrecker operator that tows a vehicle pursuant to a contract with a municipality or county may store such vehicle in a facility meeting the requirements set forth in such contract; provided, that:

(1) A copy of the proposed contract is furnished to the Department, along with documentation that requirements specified in this Section will be or have been met.
(2) Only vehicles towed at the request of the municipality shall be stored in such facilities unless such facility meets all the requirements of this Section.
(3) The wrecker operator shall have assumed reasonable responsibility with respect to the owner of such towed vehicle for any damages or loss of contents occurring during such time as the towed vehicle is stored in the facility.
(4) If the storage facility is not owned by the operator, the owner of such storage facility shall also assume joint responsibility for damages or loss of contents to the vehicle secured during such time as the vehicle is stored at such facility.
(5) Such storage facility must meet or exceed the requirements of this Section.
(6) If such storage facility is not operated by the operator, the operator shall have made arrangements with the owner of such storage facility to enable the owner of the vehicle to make full payment for towing and storage costs at the storage facility location and thereby obtain full release of the vehicle.
(7) A wrecker operator may not store any vehicle in a facility which has not been inspected and approved by the Department.

(e) Indoor storage facility. An operator may also provide an indoor storage facility as either a primary or secondary storage facility. Due to a special situation such as, but not limited to, a pending fatal collision, asset forfeiture or criminal investigation, law enforcement may select without regard to rotation, an operator nearest to the incident with appropriate indoor storage. The facility must meet the requirements of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and the operator must comply with any special instructions. An indoor storage facility shall be a permanent structure that meets the following minimum physical requirements.

(1) A solid roof,
(2) A solid hard-surface floor,
(3) Solid walls which fully enclose all sides, i.e. reach from corner to corner on each side and from the floor to the roof on all sides so there is no public access. The walls may be penetrated by windows and doors which must be fully operable so as to make the facility fully enclosed when the windows and doors are closed, and
(4) Must be a minimum of 500 square feet in size.

(f) Each Wrecker Service is a Separate Entity. Each wrecker service shall be licensed as a separate legal entity. Any wrecker service with storage shall maintain a primary storage facility that is physically separated from any other entity's storage facility as determined by the Department, so that the responsibility and accountability of the operator relating to compliance with these rules is maintained.
(g) Shared Storage Prohibited. Shared use of any outdoor or indoor storage facility by two (2) or more wrecker services is not permitted, except as may be determined by the Commissioner.
(h) Leased or rented building, office or storage. Wrecker operators intending to lease or rent any building, office or storage facilities shall file such plan of lease or rent with the Department for approval. Such plan shall be signed and approved by the owner of the property or representative of the owner and be of at least one year in duration and include specific terms therein delineating the responsibility of the operator relating to compliance with the rules of this Chapter and assurance that accountability is maintained.
(i) Accessibility. Any primary storage facility used to store vehicles at the request of law enforcement shall be accessible to the public by way of an all-weather road. This provision shall not apply to primary storage facilities which have been approved prior to July 14, 2003.

595:25-5-9. Inspections

(a) Availability of Records. The wrecker operator, manager, or their representative must make available to the inspection officer all records, notices and other documents required by these rules. Due to possible noncompliance or complaint, the inspection of the facility or tow trucks may be required. May include an inspection of any and all tow trucks and inspection of records, tow authorizations, thirty (30) day reports and facilities. Upon completion of the inspection, the operator, manager, or representative shall be given a contact report that will provide the results of the inspection. A date and Time will be provided to make corrective action and a follow up inspection will be performed to assure compliance.
(b) Initial Inspection. Will include inspection of all tow trucks and any or all storage facilities. Any tow truck meeting FMCSA requirements of single or combination weight limits of 26,001 GVWR, shall provide a copy of the DOT inspection, per 49 C.F.R. § 396.17, before the Department of Public Safety inspection can be performed. This will apply to the initial inspection or if the truck requires a re-inspection.

595:25-7-2. Release and holding of vehicle

(a) Release. The Class AA wrecker operator shall at all times have a capable person available to release impounded or stored vehicle within thirty (30) minutesone (1) hour. As per 47 O.S. § 955, any vehicle impounded by law enforcement shall not be released to the owner until that owner provides proof of valid insurance or an affidavit of nonuse on the roadway. In the event an insurer or a representative of the insurer who has accepted liability for the vehicle requests the release, no proof of valid insurance or affidavit of nonuse on the roadway shall be required.
(b) Exceptions to release of impounded or stored vehicles.

(1) Officers may have a legitimate need and reason to preserve the secured status of an impounded or stored vehicle, including but not limited to:

(A) Failure to pay taxes due the State;
(B) Forfeiture proceedings under the Controlled Dangerous Substances Act [63 O.S., § 2-506];
(C) Evidentiary proceedings.
(D) Failure to provide proof of insurance
(E) The vehicle has been used in the commission of a felony offense. [47 O.S., § 955(A)(6)]

(2) In the event an officer determines a need exists to preserve the secured status of an impounded or stored vehicle, the officer may direct the operator to place a hold thereon, which the operator shall honor, subject to the following procedures.
(3) If the hold is because taxes due the State have not been paid, the operator shall not release the vehicle until the owner, or another person as described in OAC 595:25-5-3(13), has furnished proof from the Oklahoma Tax Commission or a motor license agent to the operator that the vehicle has been duly registered and the license fee has been paid before the vehicle may be released to the owner. Inquiry regarding this law may be made to the Oklahoma Tax Commission.
(4) If the stated reason for the hold is a forfeiture proceeding under the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substance Act, the operator may not release the vehicle unless authorization is received either from the District Attorney's Office of the county from which the vehicle was impounded or from the impounding officer.

(A) If, after the expiration of seventy-two (72) hours from the time of impoundment (excluding Saturday, Sunday and legal holidays), the operator has not received either the court case number under which a forfeiture proceeding has been accepted and filed or a release of the hold from the impounding officer, the operator shall contact the law enforcement agency storing the vehicle, between 7:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon following such seventy-two (72) hours period, advising the ranking supervisor on duty or dispatcherof the following information:

(i) That the vehicle is being held for the filing of forfeiture proceedings;
(ii) That no court case number of forfeiture proceedings has been received;
(iii) Description of vehicle, including tag and vehicle identification number;
(iv) Vehicle owner, if known;
(vi) County from which the vehicle was impounded;
(vii) Name of impounding officer;
(viii) Name and telephone number of operator submitting the above information.

(B) The supervisor may direct the impounding officer to verify the decision of the District Attorney and to notify the operator:

(i) Of the forfeiture proceedings style and case number; or
(ii) That the hold is canceled because the District Attorney has declined forfeiture proceedings and therefore, the vehicle may then be released in accordance with (a) and (b) of this Section.

(C) Any vehicle seized or stored for forfeiture proceedings under the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substance Act is considered to be in the custody of the District Attorney of the county where the property was seized [63 O.S., § 2-506 (K)] and therefore the operator may contact that office regarding any matter relating to such vehicle, in addition to the foregoing procedure.

(5) If the hold is for evidentiary proceedings or for any stated reason other than taxes or forfeiture described above, or if the officer fails to state a reason, then the hold shall expire forty-eight (48) hours from the time of impoundment (if not released earlier by the officer), and the operator shall not honor the hold beyond the forty-eight (48) hour period without express direction of the law enforcement agency storing said vehicle. The vehicle may then be released in accordance with the provisions of this Chapter.

(c) Court orders regarding impounded or stored vehicles. If any rule provided, herein conflicts with a court order served upon the operator relating to impoundments, release, storage or other matter relating to the wrecker service, the court order shall take precedence.
(d) Release to another wrecker service. When a wrecker service is to lawfully obtain a vehicle from another wrecker service which originally towed the vehicle, the original wrecker service shall:

(1) allow the other wrecker service to enter its premises and remove the vehicle, or
(2) if the original wrecker service does not allow the other licensed wrecker services or registered owner or agent on its premises to make the tow, the original wrecker service shall properly tow the vehicle to a mutually agreeable site in order to transfer the vehicle to the requesting wrecker service.

595:25-9-2. Operator requirements

Operators on the Rotation Log shall comply with the following:

(1) When more than one (1) vehicle is towed on one (1) call, each tow shall be counted as another call to that operator.
(2) When an operator receives a request for services from the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and no services are rendered for which the operator is able to receive compensation, the operator shall not lose position on the Rotation Log.
(3) If an operator has received a request for services, but does not respond to the scene within a reasonable length of time, including but not limited to such factors as distance from the scene, weather, and nature of the collision or traffic tie-up, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol may request the services of the next operator on the Rotation Log. Under these circumstances, the operator who receives the first request shall lose position on the Rotation Log.
(4) When an emergency condition exists, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol reserves the right to request the services of any appropriately equipped and licensed wrecker service best able to handle the emergency and can reach the scene in the shortest time, regardless of the operator 's position on the Rotation Log. Said call shall count as a call on the Rotation Log.
(5) Only one (1) wrecker service shall be approved for Highway Patrol rotation at any one place of business and/or storage facility, unless otherwise approved by the Commissioner.
(6) Wrecker services shall respond to Highway Patrol requests only in a wrecker vehicle licensed to the requested wrecker service, unless otherwise approved by the Commissioner.
(7) Every wrecker service on the Highway Patrol Rotation Log shall maintain twentyfour (24) hour service.
(8) A wrecker service called from the Highway Patrol Rotation Log shall not accept a request for services unless the operator has a vehicle immediately available to perform the requested service.
(9) Each operator shall require each driver responding to a request to maintain the appropriate driver license for the type vehicle being operated.
(10) Each operator shall require each driver to obey in good faith the rules of the road.
(11) Each operator shall prohibit any known thief or felon from loitering, visiting, or otherwise being on the premises of the place of business or any storage facility of the wrecker service.
(12) Every operator shall accept each Oklahoma Highway Patrol call unless there exists a valid reason for refusal. Upon acceptance of a call an operator shall advise dispatch of their current location and estimated time of arrival.
(13) Each operator shall provide service for a minimum of seventy-five (75%) percent of the requests made by the Highway Patrol to be computed on a quarterly basis. Failure to meet this standard for any reason shall be grounds for removal from the Oklahoma Highway Patrol Rotation Log.
(14) Any Class AA wrecker operator who uses an answering service as a means of dispatch and who fails to properly respond in a timely manner, as determined by the Commissioner's designee of the Wrecker Services Division, to a rotation call request may have the Class AA license revoked for failure to properly respond to rotation call requests. The operator shall not be licensed as a Class AA wrecker service while utilizing the same answering service as a means of dispatch.
(15) Persons responding to calls must be able to speak and understand the English language.
(16) A wrecker operator shall respond to law enforcement agencies ' wrecker service requests with a wrecker vehicle and operator capable of efficiently uprighting an overturned vehicle, pulling or winching a vehicle back onto the roadway, lifting a vehicle off a victim, or assisting with opening a vehicle to extricate a victim. In addition, the wrecker vehicle shall be equipped to remove a disabled vehicle without inflicting further damage to the disabled vehicle.
(17) If two or more vehicles are involved in a collision and two or more wrecker services are called the following shall apply:

(A) The first wrecker service arriving at the scene will tow the vehicle causing the greatest traffic hazard, which shall be determined by the investigating officer.
(B) If a requested wrecker service is first on scene, said wrecker service will assist in removing the vehicle causing the traffic hazard from roadway, then will proceed to pick up the vehicle it has been requested to tow.

(18) Any wrecker service having a wrecker vehicle with major or critical mechanical failure or failing to meet equipment requirements, which does not have another wrecker vehicle of the same classification approved for rotation, shall become temporarily unavailable for rotation until the wrecker vehicle has been approved to return to service or a new wrecker vehicle of the same classification has been inspected, if necessary, and approved by the Department.
(19) A wrecker service shall become temporarily unavailable for rotation if there is no approved Certificate of Insurance (WA) filing on file with the Department for the wrecker service or wrecker vehicles approved for rotation.
(20) Any wrecker service with a wrecker vehicle displaying an expired tag, which does not have another wrecker vehicle of the same classification approved for rotation, shall become temporarily unavailable for rotation until the wrecker license plate has been renewed and is properly displayed on the wrecker vehicle.

595:25-9-3. Rotation calls for truck wreckers (Class AA-TL)

(a) Rules governing the rotation calls for Class AA-TL truck wrecker operators shall be the same as the rules governing the rotation calls for all other Class AA wrecker operators, except that in the case of truck wreckers the involved Trooper and/or the dispatcher shall have and be free to exercise his or her discretion as provided for in this section. If, in the judgment of any involved trooper and/or dispatcher, a Class AA-TL truck wrecker operator within a service area is needed because of an emergency situation, such wrecker service may be called without regard to position on the truck wrecker log except in relation to other operators also meeting the additional Class AA qualities in the service area.
(b) The large trucks and operators shall be capable and expected

(1) to clear a lane of traffic within one (1) hour upon arrival on the scene unless an extreme circumstance exist, using Traffic Incident Management (TIM) standards for the safety of the public and responders,
(2) have recovery and remediation resources immediately available to assist in clearing the scene as safely and as quickly as possible; and
(3) shall coordinate and participate in the recovery, towing and cleanup. Participation does not include traffic management.