Tennessee car booting rules: Lawmakers pass cap on fees and other stricter regulations

Tennesseans frustrated over the practice of companies booting cars on private property could soon see some relief under a state bill proposing stricter regulations.

The General Assembly this week passed a bill that would prohibit unlicensed companies from booting vehicles and cap the fee to remove a boot at $75. The bill now awaits the governor’s signature.

The push comes as a growing number of Nashville residents have complained over what they say is the predatory practice of companies booting cars on private property with no grace period, unclear signage and long wait times to remove the boots.

Companies would also be required to remove the boot within 45 minutes after a driver’s call.

Residents said the situation was especially bad at the Inglewood post office in East Nashville, where a company was waiting to boot unsuspecting vehicles that were parked in the wrong lot.

Sen. Jack Johnson (R-Franklin), who co-sponsored the bill, said he proposed it after hearing many complaints from constituents.

“This legislation will protect vehicle owners in Tennessee from bad actors seeking to profit off of immobilizing and confiscating vehicles,” Johnson said in a statement Wednesday.

The bill also proposes new regulations for towing and parking, including requiring that vehicle owners are properly notified if their vehicle is being towed, sold or demolished by a towing company.

The law would take effect July 1.

Will Nashville pass tougher car booting laws?

In addition to the state law, Nashville city leaders are considering their own stricter laws.

The Metro Nashville Transportation Licensing Commission is considering changes to the city ordinance that would include a 15 minute grace period for drivers. The changes, which have support from Metro Councilmembers Jacob Kupin and Emily Benedict, would need city council approval.

The commission last week put the changes on hold pending the governor’s approval of the state law.

Benedict, whose district includes the Inglewood post office, told the commission that a grace period and other changes would help prevent predatory practices.

"This predatory behavior is something I hope we’re able to overcome and prevent from happening in the future,” she said.

Penalties for booting companies

Nashville has approved eight licensed booting businesses to operate within the city.

Two of those companies - Nashville Booting and Apex Parking - have now been forced to refund hundreds of drivers after operating with expired licenses.

The licenses for booting businesses are renewed annually, but the renewals are handled by city staff and not approved by the commission.

The most recent was Apex Parking, which last week was ordered by the commission to refund drivers for operating on an expired license between June 2023 and January 2024, according to news reports.

Owner Cliff Warton told the commission that he sent his renewal to the wrong address and failed to follow up.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee car booting rules: Lawmakers pass stricter regulations