Connecticut Motor Cars v. Commissioner of Motor Vehicles

Summary

The court affirmed the dismissal of the plaintiff’s administrative appeal, holding that a motor-vehicle wrecker may not charge a separate gate fee for moving a wrecked or disabled vehicle from secured storage to a retrieval area. Because that activity is part of releasing the vehicle and therefore included in the regulatory tow charge, the additional fee was unauthorized, and the remaining portions of the agency’s decision were supported by substantial evidence. The court also rejected the plaintiff’s claims concerning laches, reopening the proceedings, expert testimony, and admission of agency documents.