Definitions.

  1. Law
  2. Oklahoma Statutes
  3. Motor Vehicles
  4. Definitions.

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As used in Sections 951 through 965 of this title and Sections 1 through 3 of this act:

1. "Wrecker or wrecker vehicle" means any motor vehicle that is equipped with any device designed to tow another vehicle or combination of vehicles. The use of the term "wrecker" or "wrecker vehicle" shall be construed to include a combination wrecker or combination wrecker vehicle, as defined in paragraph 2 of this section, unless a specific differentiation is otherwise described;

2. "Combination wrecker" or "combination wrecker vehicle" means any wrecker vehicle which is designed and equipped with two separate and distinct devices to tow simultaneously two or more other vehicles or combinations of vehicles, whether or not both devices are in use simultaneously. One of the devices shall allow another vehicle to be loaded onto and transported upon the wrecker vehicle, and one of the devices shall allow another vehicle to be attached to and pulled by the wrecker vehicle;

3. "Tow" or "towing" means the use of a wrecker vehicle to lift, pull, move, haul or otherwise transport any other vehicle by means of:

  • a.attaching the vehicle to and pulling the vehicle with the wrecker vehicle, or
  • b.loading the vehicle onto and transporting the vehicle upon the wrecker vehicle;

4. "Rollback equipment" means a towing device or equipment upon which the towed vehicle is loaded and transported, removing the towed vehicle completely from the surface of the roadway. The term "rollback equipment" shall include car haulers;

5. "Dolly" means a towing device or equipment which lifts and suspends one axle of the towed vehicle above the surface of the roadway;

6. "Wrecker or towing service" means engaging in the business of or performing the act of towing or offering to tow any vehicle, except:

  • a.where the operator owns the towed vehicle and displays on both sides of the wrecker vehicle in plainly visible letters not less than two (2) inches in height the words "NOT FOR HIRE",
  • b.where the service is performed by a transporter as defined in Section 1-181 of this title,
  • c.where service is performed in conjunction with the transportation of household goods and property,
  • d.where the wrecker vehicle is owned or operated by the United States government, the State of Oklahoma, or any department or political subdivision thereof, or
  • e.where the service is performed by an out-of-state wrecker service at the request of the vehicle owner or operator, the vehicle is not involved in a collision, and is being towed:
    • (1)in either direction across the border between Oklahoma and a neighboring state, or
    • (2)through Oklahoma in transit to another state;
  • provided, the out-of-state wrecker service shall comply with all other requirements regarding interstate commerce as set forth in law;

7. "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Public Safety;

8. "Commission" means the Corporation Commission;

9. "Department" means the Department of Public Safety;

10. “Nonconsensual tow” means the transportation of a vehicle without the consent or knowledge of the vehicle’s owner, possessor, agent, insurer, lienholder, or any other person in possession of or in charge of any vehicle and includes the transportation or towing of the vehicle under lawful circumstances or necessity for the public interest including removing from the roadway for public safety or public convenience, or accidents, by any law enforcement officer or property agent or removal from public or private property as a result of abandonment or unauthorized parking by the property owner, agent, possessor, or other legal entity for the property owner;

11. "Operator" means any person owning or operating a wrecker vehicle or wrecker or towing service;

12. "Officer" means any duly authorized law enforcement officer;

13. "Roadway" means any public street, road, highway or turnpike or the median, easement or shoulder of a roadway;

14. "Service call" means the act of responding to a request for service with a wrecker vehicle in which a service is performed; and

15. "Vehicle" shall:

  • a.have the same meaning as defined in Section 1-186 of this title, and
  • b.for the purposes of this chapter when referring to a vehicle or combination of vehicles being towed or stored, include a vessel. The term "vessel" shall have the same meaning as defined in Section 4002 of Title 63 of the Oklahoma Statutes.

Added by Laws 1970, c. 323, § 1. Amended by Laws 1982, c. 170, § 1, operative Oct. 1, 1982; Laws 1983, c. 109, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 1983; Laws 1986, c. 144, § 1, emerg. eff. April 21, 1986; Laws 1988, c. 290, § 19, operative July 1, 1988; Laws 1995, c. 50, § 1, emerg. eff. April 10, 1995; Laws 1999, c. 125, § 2, emerg. eff. April 26, 1999; Laws 2002, c. 66, § 1; Laws 2003, c. 279, § 8, emerg. eff. May 26, 2003; Laws 2004, c. 418, § 25, eff. July 1, 2004; Laws 2011, c. 355, § 4, eff. Nov. 1, 2011.


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