Sarasota May Toughen Background Checks for Transport

In many cities, parking space comes at a premium. Private companies that operate parking lots for their customers often don’t want members of the public using their spaces for long periods of the day or overnight. Similar issues exist around housing complexes and apartments. Towing companies remove these vehicles, but their operation is often frustrating, opaque, and confusing to those car owners. One Florida county now wants to change the rules on background checks for transport providers such as towing companies to create more accountability.

What’s happening in Sarasota County, Florida?

Residents complained to the county commission that towing practices in private lots were increasingly problematic. At issue is a confusing patchwork of contracts between business owners and towing companies. Unclear or even misleading signage might lead people to park in places where they believe they’re following the rules, only to return to a missing vehicle. Finding out which tow company to call—and then getting their car back—is not easy, either.

These concerns have prompted the Sarasota Commission to consider changing how licensing works for towing companies operating in the area. Commissioners looked to a similar law in Miami-Dade County that changed the background check regulation for towing companies. The commission signaled they would continue investigating the issue, potentially enforcing stricter licensing and vetting requirements.

Currently, towing companies operating in the county must only abide by the Department of Transportation’s established background check legislation that requires MVR checks, drug tests, and more. However, commissioners might want to create an ordinance requiring companies to use a county-approved background check or report their results to the government. Stricter licensing could also reduce predatory towing practices and the number of companies competing to service private lots.

What could change if these discussions become law?

Right now, these discussions remain tentative. There are no details regarding what changes the commissioners might bring to background check compliance for towing companies. Likewise, we don’t know what “tougher licensing” might mean either. Towing companies may need to re-vet employees. Commissioners could create rules that reduce the number of drivers by changing eligibility requirements.

Any changes, if they occur, won’t come into force for some months or perhaps even years. Nonetheless, towing providers should conduct an internal audit and confirm their compliance with hiring procedures. It is important to hire trustworthy drivers who will obey the rules around towing.

Continue monitoring government meetings for possible changes

For now, the discussions in Sarasota County are just that: discussion. Towing companies should already engage in mandatory background checks for transport companies as a matter of federal compliance. If the county does decide to implement the changes, companies should be ready to review their policies and make adjustments accordingly. Periodically evaluating the effectiveness of hiring policies can also improve trust between your business and private lot clients. Any changes to the law, if they come, won’t arrive until 2024 at the earliest—so keep up to date on the latest news.