MOTOR VEHICLES: Requires a towing permit for consensual noncommercial towing (OR +$124,800 GF EX See Note)

HLS 26RS-605 ORIGINAL
2026 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 695
BY REPRESENTATIVE DICKERSON
MOTOR VEHICLES: Requires a towing permit for consensual noncommercial towing
1 AN ACT
2 To enact R.S. 32:1713(9) and (10) and 1715.1, relative to towing permits; to prohibit
3 consensual noncommercial towing without a permit; to provide for definitions; to
4 provide for permit requirements; to provide of fines; and to provide for related
5 matters.
6 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
7 Section 1. R.S. 32:1713(9) and (10) and 1715.1 are hereby enacted to read as
8 follows:
9 §1713. Definitions
10 For the purposes of this Chapter, the following terms shall have the following
11 meaning:
12 * * *
13 (9) "Consensual noncommercial towing" means the noncommercial
14 movement or transportation of a vehicle by another vehicle with the prior consent or
15 authorization of the owner or operator of the vehicle.
16 (10) "Noncommercial towing" means the movement or transportation of
17 personal property for private, nonbusiness, or recreational purposes.
18 * * *
19 §1715.1. Consensual noncommercial towing of motor vehicles; requirements
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
HLS 26RS-605 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 695
1 A.(1) Consensual noncommercial towing shall be unlawful on the highways
2 and roadways of the state of Louisiana unless the owner of the vehicle obtains a
3 permit issued by the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, office of motor
4 vehicles. The department shall require, at a minimum, that the vehicle engaged in the
5 act of towing complies with the following:
6 (a) Use of hazard lights while in tow.
7 (b) Use of reflectors while in tow.
8 (c) Use of signage indicating towing is in progress.
9 (d) Use of proper equipment to safely tow the vehicle.
10 (2) The owner of the vehicle engaged in the consensual noncommercial tow
11 shall ensure that the department issued permit is attached to any vehicle while in tow
12 and is clearly visible.
13 B. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, any violation
14 of this Section shall result in a fine of one thousand dollars and be payable to the
15 Louisiana State Police.
16 C. The Department of Public Safety and Corrections, office of motor
17 vehicles, shall promulgate rules and regulations as are necessary for the
18 implementation of this Section.
19 Section 2. The Louisiana State Law Institute is hereby authorized and directed to
20 arrange in alphabetical order and renumber the definitions provided in R.S. 32:1713.
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 695 Original 2026 Regular Session Dickerson
Abstract: Requires the Department of Public Safety and Corrections (DPS&C), office of
motor vehicles (OMV), to create a permit for consensual noncommercial towing of
vehicles.
Proposed law defines "consensual noncommercial towing" as the noncommercial movement
or transportation of a vehicle by another vehicle with the prior consent or authorization of
the owner or operator of the vehicle.
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
HLS 26RS-605 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 695
Proposed law defines "noncommercial towing" as the transportation of personal property for
private, nonbusiness, or recreational purposes.
Proposed law requires the OMV to mandate that persons conducting consensual
noncommercial towing obtain a permit.
Proposed law specifies that the permit must require compliance with the following:
(1) Use of hazard lights while in tow.
(2) Use of reflectors while in tow.
(3) Use of signage indicating towing is in progress.
(4) Use of proper equipment to safely tow the vehicle.
Proposed law requires the owner of a vehicle engaged in a consensual noncommercial tow
ensure the department issued permit is attached to any vehicle while in tow and is clearly
visible.
Proposed law provides for a fine of $1,000 for violations of proposed law.
Proposed law provides rulemaking authority to the OMV to implement proposed law.
(Adds R.S. 32:1713(9) and (10) and 1715.1)
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.