MT SB454

Reduces commercial tow truck classifications from five classes (A-E) to three classes (A-C) and increases minimum equipment standards, including raising Class A minimum gross vehicle weight from 10,000 to 14,500 pounds and Class C from 32,000 to 46,000 pounds

Requires tow truck operators to complete Montana Tow Truck Association-recognized third-party training within 1 year of hire, replacing the previous requirement for nationally recognized certification

Establishes mandatory training curriculum including knowledge of attach points, working load limits, rigging, traffic incident management, and requires state-certified flaggers and reflectorized traffic control signs

Prohibits companies owned by the same individual, group, or parent corporation from participating in the same rotation area, and requires each towing business to maintain separate workers' compensation, insurance, banking, and financial records

Grandfathers existing tow trucks that met previous classification standards as of January 1, 2026, provided they maintain continuous inspection status without a lapse exceeding 6 months