(1) The holder of a current, valid towing business certificate issued under ORS § 822.205 may exercise the following privileges under the certificate:

(a) The person and any employee of the person who is performing official duties are not subject to the prohibitions and penalties under ORS § 822.200.

(b) The person is entitled to receive special indicia of towing business registration. The following apply to indicia described in this paragraph:

(A) The holder of the certificate or a person in the performance of the person’s official duties as an employee of the certificate holder may use the indicia:

(i) For towing and recovering vehicles; and

(ii) For towing unregistered vehicles over the highways of this state without first obtaining registration for the vehicles or trip permits required under ORS § 803.600.

(B) The indicia shall be of the design provided under ORS § 805.200 and are subject to payment of fees for issuance as provided under ORS § 805.250.

(2) A towing business certificate expires one year from the date of issuance unless renewed. A certificate holder may renew the certificate by payment of the fee for renewal of a towing business certificate under ORS § 822.700. A person whose certificate expires must qualify for a certificate in the same manner as a person who has not previously held a certificate.

(3) The holder of a towing business certificate is subject to regulation by political subdivisions as provided in ORS § 801.040 and 822.230, and to regulation under ORS Chapter 825. [1983 c.338 § 812; 1985 c.16 § 411; 1987 c.765 § 4; 1993 c.741 § 144; 1995 c.733 § 78]