On the Hook
A CT Mirror/ProPublica investigation into how Connecticut laws had come to favor tow companies at the expense of low-income residents.
Gone in 15 days: How the Connecticut DMV allows tow companies to sell people’s cars
The sales have particularly affected low-income people, who have lost jobs after they were unable to get their cars back.
Connecticut DMV never set up system to enforce a century-old towing law
Towing companies can sell vehicles if owners don’t reclaim them. They’re supposed to turn over unclaimed profits, but that’s never happened.
How a Connecticut DMV employee made thousands by selling towed cars
A towing company cut DMV lines in exchange for discounts on towed cars, an internal DMV report says, showing the agency’s oversight failures.
Connecticut legislature passes bill overhauling century-old towing laws
The reforms, which came in response to an investigation by CT Mirror and ProPublica, make it harder to tow vehicles from private property.
on the hook investigation
Bill limiting when towing companies can sell cars passes CT Senate
A bill that would require towing companies to consider the age of a towed vehicle before it’s sold breezed through the CT Senate Wednesday.
Some CT towing companies are ignoring new law aimed at helping low-income residents
Residents say companies continue to patrol public housing and low-income apartment complexes and tow cars for minor violations.
Lawmakers consider ways to protect home health care workers from towing
The bill seeks solutions to the lack of parking for providers whose cars are sometimes ticketed or towed while they treat their patients.
CT DMV commissioner calls for more reforms to towing law
The recommendations would require more notifications to car owners and streamline the process for selling unclaimed vehicles in CT.
CT DMV raises towing rates, but tow companies say it’s not enough
Towing companies argue the fees won’t cover their “true costs,” but their ask would have more than doubled the consumers’ cost, a report said.
A CT DMV task force was asked to develop towing reforms. As deadline looms, members struggle to agree.
The group was part of a legislative overhaul prompted by a CT Mirror/ProPublica investigation that found the state’s laws favored towing companies.
What to know about the CT Mirror/ProPublica towing investigation
Here’s what to know about what the CT Mirror and ProPublica investigation uncovered and how Connecticut officials responded.
Connecticut DMV fires employee who made thousands selling towed cars
Investigators found the longtime employee traded favors with a towing company to purchase vehicles at a steep discount, according to a termination letter.
DMV commissioner proposes simplifying sale process of towed cars
Tony Guerrera called his proposal a compromise between tow companies and advocates, but they say it wouldn’t protect vehicle owners enough.
CT towing companies frequently value cars low, allowing them to sell vehicles quickly
Some Connecticut tow companies have made a pattern of valuing cars low and then selling them, a CT Mirror and ProPublica analysis found.
CT towing companies, consumer advocates at odds over legislative proposals
Advocates and business owners are developing recommendations to the CT legislature as part of a working group formed under a 2025 law.
DMV committee expands scope to study broader changes to towing law
The 10-member DMV committee will study how to make it easier for low-income residents to get their cars back.
As CT lawmakers cheer towing reform, some problems persist
Proponents of legislation overhauling CT’s century-old towing laws say there are still problems to be addressed, like increased oversight of the DMV.
Connecticut’s new towing law will help some, but not all, drivers. Here’s what they told us.
Connecticut lawmakers passed reforms on a century-old towing law. But they don’t solve all the problems that vehicle owners have raised.
Lamont signs anti-predatory towing reforms
Gov. Ned Lamont has signed into law an overhaul of CT’s towing statutes that came after an investigation by the CT Mirror and ProPublica.
CT House approves bill overhauling state’s towing laws
The bill would make it harder to tow vehicles from private property in CT and easier for drivers to retrieve their vehicles after a tow.
CT towing companies use belongings left in cars as leverage to collect fees, drivers say
Though the CT DMV allows owners access to towed cars to retrieve ‘essential’ items, people have lost important documents, car seats and more.
Overhaul of CT towing laws draws divided testimony from drivers and tow companies
The bill would amend laws that a CT Mirror and ProPublica investigation found have come to favor tow companies at the expense of car owners.
Lawmakers seek overhaul of towing law following CT Mirror/ProPublica investigation
The bill would require towing companies to wait longer before selling a vehicle, and provide consumers with better protections.