§ 82-72. Authorization; general applicant requirements.

All applicants for authorization shall:

(1)

Be a bona fide company having been in business at least three months.

(2)

Possess a valid state class D chauffeurs license.

(3)

In the case of all other applicants, company owners must warrant that their employees have been issued a valid state class D chauffeurs license.

(4)

Adhere to all laws of the state, in particular, R.S. tit. 32, Louisiana Highway Regulatory Act, concerning maximum speed limits, lighting requirements, brake requirements, tow truck equipment, required warning devices and vehicle and driver's license.

(5)

Each authorized company shall:

a.

Pay an annual permit fee for each wrecker and towing device. The initial fee shall be $50.00, and each renewal shall be $25.00;

b.

Have each wrecker and towing device inspected by the person designated by the mayor and board of aldermen of the city;

c.

Assume liability for personal injury or property damage resulting from an employee's intentional or negligent acts from the time contact is made with any vehicle to be towed; each authorized wrecker company assumes full liability for all items of value in the vehicle;

d.

Maintain a valid insurance policy or bond with sufficient amount of coverage from a surety company authorized to do business in the state for each wrecker and slide-back carrier;

e.

Provide the mayor and board of aldermen of the city with a copy of a current certificate of insurance paid up for one year;

f.

Provide minimum coverage in the amount of:

1.

Not less than $100,000.00 for injury to any one person;

2.

Not less than $300,000.00 for injury or damage in any one accident;

3.

Not less than $50,000.00 for damage to property other than the towed vehicle; and

g.

Provide a current certificate of garage keeper legal liability insurance in the amount of no less than $10,000.00.

(6)

Provide 24-hour service on a 365-day basis.

(7)

Provide for a maximum of 20-minute response time unless extenuating circumstances exist.

(8)

Maintain a record system covering all vehicles towed; such records to include:

a.

Date and time the authorized company was contacted and requested to perform this service;

b.

Name of person requesting the service;

c.

Date, time and place of each call;

d.

A description of the towed vehicle including license tag and identification number;

e.

The owner or driver of the vehicle, if known; and

f.

Total service fee.

(9)

Maintain the aforementioned records for the current calendar year immediately prior to the current calendar year.

(Code 1958, § 16A-27)