Tow Operators Say Charlotte Police Misinterpret New State Booting Law

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department officers threatened to arrest a tow truck driver for impounding a commercial vehicle under a new state law that bans booting. Tow operators say police are misreading the statute to include all towing, not just wheel immobilization devices.

Frank Edwards owns No More Locked Doors. One of his drivers faced arrest threats while impounding a commercial vehicle on March 26. Edwards recorded video of the encounter with officers enforcing the department's interpretation.

"We have been advised this is a new law," the officer said in the footage. "We've been advised to educate and then move on, but it is a misdemeanor. So, we can either issue a citation or take someone to jail."

Department attorney Jessica Battle sent an email to all officers on March 16. She said lawmakers intended the word "immobilization" to cover more than booting. Battle said the law also includes towing.

The interpretation comes from a Feb. 26 letter from state Representative Mike Schietzelt. The letter claims Charlotte is allowing tow truck companies to hook occupied commercial motor vehicles and force drivers to either get towed in their cabs or be left roadside.

Schietzelt's letter falls short of claiming that towing of commercial vehicles is now prohibited. The letter states the city is "permitting towing operators to engage in practices that plainly violate the new statutory requirements."

Officers are enforcing beyond what the law allows, Edwards said. "The general statute is talking about booting and immobilization using a booting device or anything similar to it," Edwards said, according to WBTV. "It has nothing to do with impounding or towing a commercial vehicle."

The tow company owner has a contract to impound tractor-trailers that break posted rules at a Shell station lot off Sunset Road. Truckers have a free parking space at the location. They can stay for two days.

Edwards said he cannot tow commercial vehicles that break the lot's rules under the current enforcement. "That's like saying, if I was to come to your home and park a commercial vehicle in front of your yard," Edwards said. "With this new so-called interpretation, you won't be able to call to get that towed away."

The booting ban went into effect in December 2025. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department declined to interview or comment on its towing policy.

Officers in Charlotte tell people that towing disputes don't fall under their jurisdiction and are instead a "civil matter," according to WBTV reporting. They do this routinely.