Connecticut General Statutes 14-145b – Storage and release of motor vehicles that have been towed or rendered immovable
(a)(1) Any vehicle towed or removed from private property pursuant to sections 14-145 to 14-145c, inclusive, shall be stored at the site of the towing company’s business in a secured storage lot. The site shall be open during the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, and be reasonably available on Saturday, Sunday and holidays, for the purpose of vehicle redemption.
Terms Used In Connecticut General Statutes 14-145b
- Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
- Owner: means any person holding title to a motor vehicle, or having the legal right to register the same, including purchasers under conditional bills of sale. See Connecticut General Statutes 14-1
- Person: includes any individual, corporation, limited liability company, association, copartnership, company, firm, business trust or other aggregation of individuals but does not include the state or any political subdivision thereof, unless the context clearly states or requires. See Connecticut General Statutes 14-1
- Registration: includes the certificate of motor vehicle registration and the number plate or plates used in connection with such registration. See Connecticut General Statutes 14-1
- Vehicle: includes any device suitable for the conveyance, drawing or other transportation of persons or property, whether operated on wheels, runners, a cushion of air or by any other means. See Connecticut General Statutes 14-1
(2) No vehicle shall be rendered immovable on private property through use of a wheel-locking device pursuant to sections 14-145 to 14-145c, inclusive, unless the vehicle is located in a secure place on such property that is reasonably accessible for the purpose of vehicle redemption. Personnel to provide for vehicle redemption shall be on such property for not less than eight hours after a vehicle has been rendered immovable. Additionally, signage shall describe the hours for vehicle redemption when the eight-hour deadline has passed. If the vehicle is towed or removed from such property, all provisions of sections 14-145 to 14-145c, inclusive, relating to the towing or removal of a vehicle shall be applicable.
(b) When a vehicle has been towed or removed pursuant to sections 14-145 to 14-145c, inclusive, it shall be released to its owner, a lending institution or a person authorized by the owner or lending institution to regain possession, upon demand, provided the demand is made between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday or at a reasonable time on Saturday, Sunday or holidays and the owner or authorized person presents proof of registration and pays the costs of towing or removal and of storage.
(c) Any vehicle owner, lending institution or agent of the owner or lending institution, shall have the right to inspect the vehicle before accepting its return or removal of a wheel-locking device. No general release of any kind that would release the person or firm towing, removing or storing the vehicle or rendering the vehicle immovable from liability for damages or from liability for any claim that the vehicle was towed or rendered immovable without justification may be required from any vehicle owner, lending institution or agent of the owner or lending institution, as a condition of release of the vehicle. A receipt showing the name of the person or firm towing or removing the vehicle or rendering the vehicle immovable and an itemization of the charges shall be provided to the person paying the towing or removal and storage costs or the charge for removal of a wheel-locking device at the time of payment.