New Law Curbs Rogue Booting in North Carolina, Imposes Fines

A new law set to take effect on December 1, 2023, in North Carolina aims to protect commercial truck drivers from exorbitant fees imposed by rogue towing companies. While the legislation will save some drivers up to $2,000 in on-the-spot booting fees, it introduces penalties of up to $1,000 for violators. This crackdown addresses long-standing issues faced by truckers in Charlotte, where predatory companies have reportedly held vehicles hostage for outrageous sums.

The law prohibits the booting of commercial trucks, responding to numerous incidents where drivers were targeted by unauthorized operators. For example, truck driver Tavari Crawford experienced this firsthand when he parked briefly at a 7-Eleven on Statesville Avenue. Within moments, a man without a towing vehicle placed a boot on his semitruck and demanded $2,000 for its removal. According to Crawford’s employer, Stefan Ivanoff of Easy and Quick Transit, the typical fee for such incidents ranges from $500 to $600, making the demand for such a high amount “very, very rare.”

Investigations by local news outlet WBTV uncovered further troubling details about Premium Express Towing, the company behind Crawford’s ordeal. The business was not listed in official records of Charlotte’s towing operations, and the address provided by the company led to a P.O. Box that store owners claimed was never authorized. Moreover, the address given by the company’s manager belonged to a different towing service, which stated that Premium Express had no right to operate there.

When questioned about the steep fees, the manager insisted that charges of thousands of dollars were normal for tractor-trailer boot removals in Charlotte. He indicated that rates would only change if the law were modified—a situation that is now occurring with the new legislation.

The law comes after a series of alarming reports regarding unsafe interactions between truckers and unregulated booting services. Rdele Olive, another truck driver, recounted a terrifying encounter in which two men in an unmarked vehicle attempted to charge him $10,000 to remove a wire immobilizing his truck. Following his refusal, the men pursued him down I-485, leading to a violent confrontation.

Advocates for truckers, including Ben Greenberg, President of the North Carolina Trucking Association, have long urged legislative action. Greenberg emphasized the broader implications of predatory towing practices, noting that disruptions caused by rogue booters can impact entire production lines, as factories depend on timely deliveries for essential parts. He stated, “The idea that one individual company can gum up the works under the guise of a truck not supposed to be parked there, what does booting that truck accomplish?”

In addition to banning booting for commercial vehicles, the new law mandates that towing companies return commercial cargo without holding it hostage. Despite these advancements, truckers remain vigilant, as the reform currently applies only to commercial vehicles, and a more comprehensive towing reform bill affecting all drivers has stalled in the legislature.

For Crawford, the new law arrives too late. Following his expensive encounter with the boot, he has vowed to avoid Charlotte altogether, stating, “I will never stop in Charlotte again.” The implementation of this law marks a significant step towards improving conditions for truck drivers in North Carolina, but the fight for comprehensive reform continues.