Re: Good Samaritan Towing Regulations?
I looked at the US Code you cited, it doesn't say anything about accepting some cash or a six pack after a tow. It does talk about towing a disabled vehicle for consideration. It doesn't say anything about accepting a gift for helping someone out.
There is a difference between making a deal (e.g. I will tow you if you give me X) and accepting a gift (e.g. I don't owe you anything for the tow and you cannot make me give you anything for the tow, but I feel like giving you X). If you want to exercise unnecessary caution and not accept a gift that's fine, but it certainly isn't illegal to accept a gift.
If you accept some cash even nominal or a six pack after the tow it is considered under the federal law to be towing for consideration, thereby doing so without being licensed IS breaking the law which as you state could cause issues with insurance coverage and for is commercial gain. See my earlier post for the exact citation of where you can find it in the US Code.
I looked at the US Code you cited, it doesn't say anything about accepting some cash or a six pack after a tow. It does talk about towing a disabled vehicle for consideration. It doesn't say anything about accepting a gift for helping someone out.
There is a difference between making a deal (e.g. I will tow you if you give me X) and accepting a gift (e.g. I don't owe you anything for the tow and you cannot make me give you anything for the tow, but I feel like giving you X). If you want to exercise unnecessary caution and not accept a gift that's fine, but it certainly isn't illegal to accept a gift.