(CVBN: Chico, CA) — Effective December 1, 2025, North Carolina has outlawed the booting of commercial vehicles statewide. The new Commercial Vehicle and Cargo Protection Act marks a significant victory for truck drivers and the broader freight industry, ensuring that predatory immobilization practices no longer threaten driver safety or disrupt supply chains.
North Carolina joins states like Mississippi, Florida, and Tennessee in cracking down on predatory towing and booting practices. This reflects growing sentiment within the trucking industry of the parking shortage crisis facing truckers nationwide and the need for policies that prioritize safety and fairness.
What the Law Does
- Booting Ban: Immobilizing devices like wheel boots can no longer be used on commercial vehicles.
- Penalties: Violators face a Class 2 misdemeanor, with up to 60 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.
- Cargo Protection: The law requires prompt return of commercial cargo after a nonconsensual or government-initiated tow, safeguarding freight integrity.
Why It Matters
- Driver Safety: Booting often stranded drivers during federally mandated rest breaks, forcing them into unsafe situations.
- Fairness: Truckers were being charged excessive fees — sometimes hundreds or thousands of dollars — just to have boots removed.
- Supply Chain Reliability: Immobilized trucks meant delayed deliveries and disrupted logistics, impacting businesses and consumers alike.
Industry Impact
For fleets, drivers, and logistics managers, this law provides:
- Peace of Mind: Drivers can rest without fear of immobilization.
- Operational Continuity: Cargo moves without unnecessary delays.
- Advocacy Momentum: A clear example of how industry pressure can drive legislative change.
Takeaways
As well as being a regulatory update, this ban is a case study in successful advocacy. Truckers, associations, and policymakers are aligned to protect drivers and freight. For businesses across the commercial vehicle ecosystem, it underscores the importance of engaging in policy conversations that directly affect operations and safety.
