Sec. 5-272. Prohibited acts

It shall be unlawful for any towing company or tow truck operator licensed under the provisions of this Division to move, tow, or store any motor vehicle to a place more than fifteen (15) miles from the place of removal or to a location outside of Prince George's County without the consent of the owner, operator, insurer or primary lienholder.

It shall be unlawful for any towing company or tow truck operator by any statement or action, to make any false representation to the effect that such person conducting the towing service represents or is approved by any organization which provides emergency road service for motor vehicles, or to make false representation as to the name of the towing company.

It shall be unlawful for any towing company or tow truck operator at the scene of an accident or breakdown to require the execution of an agreement to have repair work performed as a condition to providing towing service.

It shall be unlawful for any tow truck operator to furnish any towing service at the scene of an accident or breakdown unless he has been authorized or called to such scene by the owner or operator of the motor vehicle or by a member of the Police Department. The Police Department shall only contract and use towing companies licensed by the Department. If the tow is at the request of the Police Department, the motor vehicle shall be removed by the towing company so called by the Police Department. In all cases of Police Department requested tows, the Police Officer requesting the towing service shall affix a sticker to the upper left-hand corner, rear window, of the motor vehicle designating the name of the towing service called to the scene of the accident or breakdown. Any violation of this Section by the towing company or tow truck operator shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000) or imprisonment not to exceed six (6) months, or both for each offense.