Moldovan parliament votes: towing of vehicles to be allowed only in certain conditions

The parliament has approved, in the second reading, a draft that significantly limits the cases in which vehicles can be towed due to improper parking. The legislative initiative, developed by MPs of the Action and Solidarity Party (PAS), aims to prevent abusive car towing in the Moldovan capital and to clarify procedures in the Contravention Code.

According to the new regulations, towing of vehicles will be allowed only in specific situations, such as: blocking access for ambulances, fire trucks, sanitation vehicles, or public transport; parking on pedestrian crossings or within 10 meters of them; blocking ramps for persons with reduced mobility or building entrances; parking in public transport stations (closer than 25 meters), on bridges, viaducts, or railways; occupying spaces reserved for persons with disabilities or those intended for charging electric vehicles; or in cases that affect public safety or the conduct of official events.

In other cases of improper parking, only contravention sanctions will be enforced, without vehicles’ towing. The reporting officer will be required to inform the owner by call or SMS, and subsequently leave a written warning on the windshield, giving the driver a 15-minute term to move their car. If the deadline is exceeded, the vehicle will be towed.

Also, an amendment proposed by Deputy Oleg Canatui was approved, which states that, if a driver is removed from the steering wheel, another person with valid documents can take over the vehicle to avoid the sanction.