(a)(1) No person, firm or corporation shall engage in the business of operating a wrecker for the purpose of towing or transporting for compensation 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 under the provisions of subpart (D) of this part. (2) The commissioner shall establish and publish a schedule of uniform rates and charges for the nonconsensual towing and transporting of motor vehicles and for the storage of motor vehicles which shall be just and reasonable. Upon petition of any person, firm or corporation licensed in accordance with the provisions of this section, but not more frequently than once every two years, the commissioner shall reconsider the established rates and charges and shall amend such rates and charges if the commissioner, after consideration of the factors stated in this subdivision, determines that such rates and charges are no longer just and reasonable. In establishing and amending such rates and charges, the commissioner may consider factors, including, but not limited to, the Consumer Price Index, rates set by other jurisdictions, charges for towing and transporting services provided pursuant to a contract with an automobile club or automobile association licensed under the provisions of section 14-67 and rates published in standard service manuals. The commissioner shall hold a public hearing for the purpose of obtaining additional information concerning such rates and charges. (3) With respect to the nonconsensual towing or transporting and the storage of motor vehicles, no such person, firm or corporation shall charge more than the rates and charges published by the commissioner. Any person aggrieved by any action of the commissioner under the provisions of this section may take an appeal therefrom in accordance with section 4-183, except venue for such appeal shall be in the judicial district of New Britain.

      (b) The commissioner, by himself or an inspector authorized by such commissioner, shall examine each wrecker, its number, equipment and identification, and ascertain the mechanical condition of such wrecker and ascertain whether or not it is properly equipped to do the work intended. Such wrecker shall be deemed properly equipped if it has installed thereon two flashing yellow lights so mounted on the vehicle as to show in all directions at all times and which shall indicate the full width of said vehicle. Such lights shall be mounted not less than eight feet above the road surface and as near the back of the cab of such vehicle as practicable. Such lights shall be in operation whenever a disabled vehicle is being towed by such wrecker and when such wrecker is at the scene of an accident or location of a disabled motor vehicle. In addition thereto each wrecker shall be equipped with a spot light so mounted that the beam of light can be shown in all directions. 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. No registrant or operator of any wrecker 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. No licensee shall require the owner to sign a contract for the repair of his damaged vehicle as part of the towing consideration or to sign an order for the repair of, or authorization for estimate until the tow job has been completed. No licensee shall tow a vehicle in such a negligent manner as to cause further damage to the vehicle being towed.

      (c) Each wrecker used for towing or transporting disabled or wrecked motor vehicles for compensation 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 (b) of this section. The commissioner shall charge a fee to cover the cost of issuance and renewal of such number plates.

      (e) With respect to the nonconsensual towing or transporting of a motor vehicle, no licensee 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.

      (f) The provisions of this section shall not apply to any person, firm or corporation, licensed as a motor vehicle dealer under the provisions of subpart (D) of this part, towing or transporting a motor vehicle for salvage purposes, provided such person, firm or corporation does not offer direct towing or wrecker service to the public.

      (g) For the purposes of this section, “nonconsensual towing or transporting” means the towing or transporting of a motor vehicle in accordance with the provisions of section 14-145 or for which arrangements are made by order of a law enforcement officer or traffic authority, as defined in section 14-297.