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Hybrid Safety Awareness Course (TDLR# 4467)
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The Hybrid Safety Awareness course has been approved by TDLR (TDLR Course # 4467) and is available to all towers needing the required 4-Hour CE course (PP & CT towers)

Click Here for more Info...

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About Us b
 
members

Southwest Tow Operators was formed in 2006 to unite towers in Texas and the southwest. STO was organized to reach out to the many towing companies that are not members of a professional trade association.

Where's your Region?

Many towing companies are small and don't have the time or resources to keep up with regulatory requirements and changes. We are here to keep you abreast of what is going on in the industry and how you can comply with any new requirements. You are not alone. Just pick up the phone, and we will help you.

Email Newsletter icon, E-mail Newsletter icon, Email List icon, E-mail List icon Sign up for Updates & Newsletter
For Email Marketing you can trust
 

 

STO NEW DISCUSSION FORUM  

This is for all you Texas Towers out there! Time to be heard! Got a question, want to talk towing, compare stories or situations, want to talk about the issues?? Join us at the New STO Discussion Forum brought to you by Tow411.net - Your Towing information Network!.

Click On The Microphone to Enter!

 
 
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Important Resources b
 

LEGISLATION WATCH

Texas Dept. of Licensing and Regulation web site

VEHICLE STORAGE FACILITIES
Occupations Code
Title 14. Regulation of Motor Vehicles and Transportation
Chapter 2303

VEHICLE TOWING
Occupations Code
Title 14. Regulation of Motor Vehicles and Transportation
Chapter 2308

Chapter 85 Vehicle Storage Facilities Administrative Rules

Chapter 86 Vehicle Towing Administrative Rules

TDLR Vehicle Towing Penalties and Sanctions Matrix

TDLR Vehicle Storage Facility Penalties and Sanctions Matrix

 
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Certification Program b
 

badgeIf you are employed by a current Southwest Tow Operators member, you will receive a discount on the test fee. Members price is $75.00 and non-members are $100.

If you would like the member pricing, please provide proof of current employment with a member. A letter from the owner on company letterhead or a current pay-stub will be accepted. Membership is $150 per year.

Read More...

 
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b Live Member Online Support b
 
Live chat by eChat
 
 
 
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*New Benefit for Members* UPDATE!! b
 

.New Benefit For Tow Company Members

December 16, 2008 ........ The STO Board of Directors have introduced a new benefit program that benefits the tow company owners or partners of each tow company member in the association.

Accidental Death and Dismemberment Policy . The new AD&D policy will cover each tow company member for $5,000 NOW $15,000 for any loss of limbs or accidental death. There are too many incidents these days where we are seeing terrible occurrences and we want to be able to do more by helping those affected the most if this does ever happen, you are your family. Best thing is this: IT DOES NOT COST YOU ONE RED CENT MORE THAN YOUR ALREADY EXISTING MEMBERSHIP! It's yours, come and get it!

Call STO or email them and ask how you can get your AD&D policy today. It's your life, your family and your policy!

GET MORE AD&D POLICY INFORMATION HERE!

 

 
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TOW COMPANY MEMBERSHIP FEES DROP
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Tow Company Membership

 
Fees Drop TO NEW LOW!

$150 per YEAR

Due to increased membership by towing companies, Southwest Tow Operators is proud to announce the lowering of your annual membership dues. This shows that the more that come together as one, will save for all!

 

 

 
 
NEW EMPLOYEE MEMBERSHIP!
 
 
ONLY $50/year
 
 

Enjoy these benefits:

  • We’ll keep track of all your training classes and certifications
  • We’ll write your resume when you are looking for a job
  • We’ll give you access to the best towing website in the country
  • We’ll let you buy and sell on the website
  • We’ll let you talk to towers all over the country
  • We’ll let you post your best tow pictures out there for everyone to see
  • We’ll provide you with a $15,000 Accidental Death and Dismemberment insurance policy
  • Gift certificates from promoting vendors
  • Free Email Address
  • News Alerts of the Towing Industry
  • Information Support from Full Time Staff

 
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2009 - 81st Texas Legislature Bills
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Bills Signed By Governor

 

Bills Passed In 81st Legislature

Click on link to view actual bill

 

  • HB 2571 Regulation of Private Property Tows

 

  • SB 408 Dealing with JP Courts and Appeals

 

  • HB 2548 Adding Public Person to Advisory Board

 

  • HB 586 Release requirements for vehicles impounded for No Insurance

 

  • SB 702 Texas Tow Act Cleanup Bill

 

  • SB 2153 Regulation of Booting Vehicles

 

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TESTING & TRAINING ALERTS (Scroll Down)
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Certification Testing Alert:

Austin area: 
Location: Clark Auto Care, 1136 Airport Blvd, Austin, TX, Saturday, June 27th, Study Session at 9:00AM, Testing at 10:00AM, contact Veronica at 512-791-7824 to reserve a spot

Conroe area: 
Location: CALL FOR APPOINTMENT. Study Session & Testing available in English and Spanish. Contact Claudio at 936-494-3573 or email at anything12302004@yahoo.com with any questions or to make appointment (sesión de estudio y examen en español, llama al 936 494 3573)

Dallas area: 
Location: SouthWest Tow Operators Office, 2665 Villa Creek Drive, Suite #105,  Dallas, TX, Saturday, June 20th, July 11th & 25th. Study Session at 9:00AM, Testing at 10:00AM, contact Angie at 214-724-9325 or email at angieriley3@yahoo.com with any questions

Houston area: Pappa's BB 59 South & Bellaire, Saturday July 11th at 11:00 AM, call for registration on July 6th to 10th after 9:00AM, contact Martee at 713-868-2971 for any questions

San Antonio area: Location: Abbott Driving School, 1840 S. General McMullen (Behind McDonalds), San antonio, TX., 78226, Every other Sunday (Beginning July 12th), 12:00PM Study Period, 1:00PM Testing, contact Julio at 210-373-7908

For More Testing Site Contacts Go Here!

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IM Training Alert:

July 11th

Corpus Christi –Register Now!
Susy’s Restaurant
103 Old Robstown Rd.
Corpus Christi, Texas 78415

Lubbock - Register Now!
Fire Administration Complex
1515 E. Ursuline
Lubbock, Texas 79403
Classroom C

Austin - Register Now!
Southside Wrecker Service
8200 S. Congress Ave.
Austin, Texas 78745

Houston –Register Now!
First Auto Care
17715 Clay Rd.
Houston, Texas

Dallas -Register Now!
Southwest Tow Operators
2665 Villa Creek Dr., Suite #105
Dallas, Texas 75234
Time: 6:00pm - 10:00pm

July 12th

Houston –FULL!
Fiesta
2008 Wayside
Houston, Texas 77023

July 18th

Uvalde - Register Now!
Uvalde Chamber of Commerce
300 E. Main
Uvalde, Texas 78801

Ft. Worth - Register Now!
Ft. Worth Police Training Division
1000 Calvert St.
Ft. Worth, Texas  76107

Amarillo - Register Now!
Randall Co Fire & Rescue Station2
9457 W. Hollywood Rd.
Amarillo, Texas 79110

Bryan / College Station - Register Now!
Bryan Freightliner
7575 N Hwy 6
Bryan, Texas 77807

Beaumont - Register Now!

July 19th

Conroe - Register Now!
Montgomery Community Center
100 N. Liberty
Montgomery, Texas 77356

San Antonio - Register Now!
Balcony Heights Police Department (2nd Floor)
3300 Hillcrest
San Antonio, Texas

July 25th

Rosenburg - Register Now!
Towman’s  Saloon
3425 Rychlik
Rosenburg, Texas  77471

Dallas -Register Now!
Southwest Tow Operators
2665 Villa Creek Dr., Suite #105
Dallas, Texas 75234
Time: 6:00pm - 10:00pm

Austin - Register Now!
Southside Wrecker Service
8200 S. Congress Ave.
Austin, Texas 78745

Abilene - Register Now!

July 26th

Baytown - Register Now!
Cedar Bayou Community Center
7711 Hwy 146
Baytown, Texas 77520

 

CE 4-Hour Training Alert:

CE 4-Hour - Hybrid Safety Awareness Course :

July 16th

Ft. Worth - Register Now!

CE 4-Hour - "Basic Towing 101" Course :

July 1st

Temple - Register Now!
Temple Towing
3815 Shallow Ford West Rd.
Temple, Texas 76502

July 10th

Houston – Register Now!
Pappa’s BBQ
7007 Hwy 59 S
Houston, Texas 77074

July 17th

Austin – Register Now!
Southside Wrecker Service
8200 S. Congress Ave.
Austin, Texas 78745

July 24th

Houston – Register Now!
Pappa’s BBQ
7007 Hwy 59 S
Houston, Texas 77074

 

Start Registering Now!!

For More IM Training Scheduled Classes Go Here!

 
 
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Important Announcements & News (Scroll Down)
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Regional Board Member Nomination Forms

STO has issued the Regional Board Member Nomination Forms to nominate leaders in your region. This is an important step in creating and keeping a Regional level of representation for the towers in your area. Please select your Region below and download or print the nomination of your choice and fax to : (972) 247-1605. One the nomination forms have all been received, ballots will be sent out to all members for elections.

REGION 1

REGION 2

REGION 3

REGION 4

REGION 5

REGION 6

REGION 7

Click Here for more Nomination Forms

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April 2009 Newsletter

Click here to View

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First Ever Towers "Legislative Day" a Great Success!

We had an exciting week in Austin this past week. On Thursday, March 26th, 2009, we had the very first "Towers Legislative Day" at the capitol. Over 75 towers traveled to the capitol in Austin from all over the state of Texas, many drove 8 or more hours to attend. Every Region was well represented! The participation was just as impressive. After the initial meeting and special messages from the keynote speakers, such as Representative Jim Jackson, Steve Polunksy, Committee Director of the Senate Transportation & Homeland Security Committee, and Bill Kuntz, Executive Director of the Texas Dept. of Licensing and Regulation, almost all towers who attended participated in visiting their representatives and/or senators to show support for bills that will help the towers of Texas, like the 2009 Texas Towers Move Over Act and the clean-up bill for the Texas Tow Act. We recived many comments on the "Sea of Blue" that was an overwhelming site at the capitol. I will be posting some great photos of the day on the STO website and some here when i get them from the photographer.

I cannot tell you how excited I was to see the turnout that did make it. Furthermore, I received many calls from towers all across the state that expressed their deep desire to be there, but understandably could not make it due to downtime problems and family issues. Several of them did request information to do their part from within their areas or Regions to write in and/or call their representatives or senators. I would like to thanks ALL of you for such a great show of support for the industry. This makes our industry stronger and brings notice to our cause.

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New Legislation Introduced!

03/13/2009 -

SB 2153 was introduced. This adds companies that "Boot" vehicles to the Texas Tow Act. They will be required to apply and hold a license through TDLR and fall under the same rules that towing companies must abide by. It also adds a Booting Company representative to the Texas Towing, Storage "and Booting" Advisory Board.

SB 2056 was introduced. This adds an additional person onto the Towing and Storage Advisory Board. This person shall be a member of the public.

HB 4526 was introduced. This may be a solution to the "Steering Fee" or "Tear Down" fee problems. This will call for a customer to see the fees for each item they are to pay in advance of accepting any vehicle, and calling for the customer to sign after they have read the fee schedule

03/12/2009 -

HB 3702 was introduced. This is the "Texas Towers Move Over Act" of 2009. Representative Jim Jackson has sponsored this bill that STO has been pushing so hard for. This will make it mandatory for vehicles to slow down or move over to the next lane when approaching a tow truck assisting a stranded vehicle or during an accident. This is one step forward for towers in getting the respect we deserve.

03/11/2009 -

HB 3087 was introduced. It would impose another requirement for another notification letter to law enforcement, electronically; along with our current requirements for notifications. It also changes the term "political subdivision" to "municipality or a county commissioners court", making it more defined as to who in any area might be able to regulate fees for non-consent tow.

03/06/2009 -

SB 1431 (Companion Bill is HB 2571) was introduced. It would regulate Private Property tows in non-regulated areas.

HB 2548 was introduced. It would add another member to the TDLR Towing and Storage Advisory Board.

Read More About All Bills Introduced Here...

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Training and Professional Development of Tow Operators is Receiving Some Recognition!

Ramiro Sanchez, 2nd Vice President of Southwest Tow Operators' Executive Board, and STO Trainer Ariosto Cano had some big names drop by to check out the new training program from STO. With classes filling up all over Texas, it was no surprise to finally start seeing some recognition.

Read More Here........

 

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Trust Fund Set Up For Fallen Tower!

Lawrence Roy Roberts of Crash Masters was struck and killed on Interstate 20 in Odessa TX while entering his MD Rollback after loading a vehicle. Reports are Lawrence leaves behind a Mother & Sister. Our prayers or with this family!

STO has sent the application for our "In the Line of Duty" Benevolent Fund to the family of Lawrence Roberts, by way of a friend of the family. We will issue funds to the family as soon as the application has been returned to us. At this time, we are accepting donations for the struggling family of this fallen tower. If you can spare, they could use it. Here are the options for donating:

1. Send Donations to:

Southwest Tow Operators
Lawrence Roberts Family Trust Fund
2665 Villa Creek Dr.
Suite # 105
Dallas, TX 75234

or;

Pay by Online:

For more information on this tragedy, read below:

Video Gallery

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Jan 27, 2009,

ECTOR COUNTY - An Odessa man is dead after being hit by a sliding car on Interstate 20.

It happened in Ector County near mile marker 98 close to the Penwell exit around 9:30 a.m.

According to troopers, a tow truck driver, 48-year-old Lawrence Roberts was working a previous wreck and had just secured the wrecked vehicle on his truck when went to get into the cab of his truck.

Roberts was hit from behind by an oncoming car that slid on the ice. Roberts was taken to the hospital where he later died.

No charges or tickets have been issued in the wreck yet. The accident is under investigation.

 

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SOUTHWEST TOW OPERATORS APPROVED!

On January 12, 2009, the date set by TDLR as the first day that they can accept applications for CE Providers or courses, STO handed over their applications for both. On January 22nd, the official approvals were listed and certifications printed. Southwest Tow Operators is listed as "Continuing Education Provider # 1616" and the first, and currently only, approved IM Training course is listed as "Texas Incident Management Training - Course # 4272".

Currently classes are already being filled all over Texas, just like the Certification test. We have Trainers strategically placed to accommodate all Regions and areas. These are the same Trainers personally trained by world renowned trainer, Tom Luciano. To register for a class in your area, click on the link below to get more information:

Start Registering Now!!

For More IM Training Info Go Here!

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FEE SCHEDULE IS DUE!!

January 31st, is the deadline to turn in your annual fee schedule to TDLR. There are two ways you can send it in; by regular mail or by fax. Call us if you have any questions on your fee schedule.

Click Here To Look At Rule For Fee Schedules

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Southwest Tow Operators is pleased to announce that Dan Messina and Joann Messina are American Towman Magazine’s Towman and Tow Woman of the Year for 2009, respectfully.

Dallas, TX, Monday, January 12, 2009:   The American Towman, a national magazine for professional towers, has announced that their choice for the 2009 “Towman Of The Year” award, an annual national award presented to recognized leaders of the towing industry, to Dan Messina, and, the very first ever, 2009 “Tow Woman Of The Year” award will go to Joann Messina.

Dan and Joann Messina, married for almost 15 years, are owners of Southwest Auto Tow of Dallas, TX. Southwest Auto Tow has over 900 customers within a 50 mile radius in the Dallas metro area. They are both Executive and Founding Board members of the Southwest Tow Operators.  Dan serves as President and Joann serves as Treasurer of the association. Southwest Tow Operators is a professional towing association serving the towing and vehicle storage industry in Texas and with partnerships with other associations in surrounding states. They have been instrumental in the phenomenal growth of the association from 40 members to currently over 700 strong. Joann also serves on the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation Towing and Storage Advisory Board.

The Southwest Tow Operators is very proud of Dan and Joann Messina of receiving this major award and would like to compliment them on their deserved recognition for their exhausting work they have done on behalf of the towing and vehicle storage industry. Their leadership is to be commended.  Here is the Cover of American Towman.

.......Read More Here

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NEWS!

TDLR Passes New IM Training Rules

December 16, 2008..... Austin, TX.... The TDLR Commissioners Board met today and passed the new Incident Management Training course and Continuing Education rules today. The new standards for their IM Training will call for an 8-Hour training course that will cover the basics to incident management and will be a minimum of 2 hours classroom, 2 hours hands-on and the 4 hours left will be up to approved training systems that will implement this new program. The college requirements were offset by allowing for an approved Continuing Education Provider through TDLR and will allow for cheaper costs for each program brought to the towers. This course is a one time requirement and only IM Tow Operators must take this before renewing their license for the first time.

The Continuing Education will require 4 hours for each year before renewing any tow operator license. The course must include 1 hour of Roadside Safety, 1 hour of Texas Law & Rules and 2 hours of other materials approved by TDLR. IM Tow Operators do not have to take this the first year because they will be taking the IM Training course.

JH

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December 13, 2008.... Scott Noe, Regional Director of Region 7, presented Missy Blackburn-Hill a check for $1,000 to assist the family of Jimmy Blackburn who was killed November 9th, 2008, along with the two customers he was picking up their car for, when they were struck by an 18-wheeler. Blackburn, 47, was the owner and operator of All Hours Towing Company and Jimmy Blackburn's Wrecker Service of Marshall, 481 Hatley Road.

The "In the Line of Duty" Benevolent Fund was setup by the founding Board of Directors as a way to assist licensed professional tow operators' families in the State of Texas with some of the financial burdens imposed on them by these untimely deaths.

Scott Noe presenting check to Missy Blackburn-Hill

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2009 Texas "Legislative Watch"
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. UPDATED 03/06/2009 "Legislative Watch" 2009 .... .All Bills in the 81st Legislative Session that will affect the towing and storage industry!

We will be tracking the progress of all towing or storage related bills that will be presented in Texas' 2009 81st Legislative Session. Click on the link below to see all bills that have been presented so far and their descriptions.

 
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TDLR Drug Testing Policy
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The drug testing policy from TDLR

Here is the policy for drug testing that is set by TDLR. It is the basis for all drug testing procedures that we recommend followed as it is easier to comply with and you will not be charged for submitting your own policy for approval.

Click Here To View Drug Testing Policy....

 
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Interesting but Useful Sites...
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Lowest Fuel Prices in Texas

Search for gas prices by US Zip Code
 

Here is a site that gives you the "low-down" on fuel prices across Texas, including diesel. It will even give you detailed local area prices, charts, interesting tips and much, much more. Feel free to check it, all it could do is save you some money!

 

 

 
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b Most Popular Document Requests (Scroll Down) b

New Tow Sign Example

Check it out Here!

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New MVR Reports by State

Get Links to ALL States !

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New (11/08) Notification Letter Examples For VSF:

Download them here now!

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New Revised (10/08) TDLR Release Forms For VSF:

Download them here now!

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New TDLR Tow Truck Operator and VSF Operator License Applications Now Available:

Download them here now!

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Sample Sign for VSF : Click Here!This is an example of the  required VSF facility sign.  It conforms to the most recent requirements.

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Certification Patches Now Available: Click Here!

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You can now Share your Favorite Photos with other STO Members!. . Click Here to up load your photos Now!

 

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