§ 21-10A-05
419 words·~2 min read·
/md/transportation/21-10a-05A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
§21–10A–05.
(a)Subject to subsection
(b)of this section, if a vehicle is towed or otherwise removed from a parking lot, the person in possession of the vehicle:
(1)Shall immediately deliver the vehicle directly to the storage facility stated on the signs posted in accordance with § 21–10A–02 of this subtitle;
(2)May not move the towed vehicle from that storage facility to another storage facility for at least 72 hours; and
(3)Shall provide the owner of the vehicle or the owner’s agent immediate and continuous opportunity, at a minimum from 6 a.m. to midnight, 7 days per week, from the time the vehicle was received at the storage facility, to retake possession of the vehicle.
(b)Before a vehicle is removed from a parking lot, a tower who possesses the vehicle shall release the vehicle to the owner or an agent of the owner:
(1)If the owner or agent requests that the tower release the vehicle;
(2)If the vehicle can be driven under its own power;
(3)Whether or not the vehicle has been lifted off the ground; and
(4)If the owner or agent pays a drop fee to the tower in an amount not exceeding 50% of the cost of a full tow.
(1)Subject to paragraph
(2)of this subsection, a storage facility that is in possession of a towed vehicle shall:
(i)Accept payment for outstanding towing, recovery, or storage charges by cash or at least two major, nationally recognized credit cards; and
(ii)If the storage facility accepts only cash, have an operable automatic teller machine available on the premises.
(i)Except as provided in subparagraph
(ii)of this paragraph, if a storage facility is unable to process a credit card payment and does not have an operable automatic teller machine on the premises, the storage facility shall accept a personal check as payment for outstanding towing, recovery, and storage charges.
(ii)A storage facility may refuse to accept a personal check as payment if it is unable to process a credit card for the payment because use of the credit card has been declined by the credit card company.
(3)A storage facility that is in possession of a towed vehicle shall make the vehicle available to the owner, the owner’s agent, the insurer of record, or a secured party, under the supervision of the storage facility, for:
(i)Inspection; or
(ii)Retrieval from the vehicle of personal property that is not attached to the vehicle.