Qld to crackdown on 'shark' tow trucks

The Queensland government has flagged a crackdown of "shark-like behaviour" in the tow truck industry.

It follows reports of tow truck operators charging up to $1000 for people to recover their cars from impound lots, as well as engaging in predatory behaviour to trick people into getting towed.

Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said there was widespread concern in the government "from the premier down" and he would draft legislation for cabinet to consider next week.

"Clearly there's not the right balance, community expectations are not being met within this industry, it's got to stop and we're going to stop it," Mr Bailey told reporters on Monday.

"This shark-like behaviour is unacceptable."

The minister said he would talk to industry stakeholders before next Monday's cabinet meeting.

He said it was a "legislatively complex" area, but they could start by looking at caps on the amount people could be charged for towing.

Opposition transport spokesman Andrew Powell said the Palaszczuk government had created the situation by scrapping the previous Newman government's organised crime laws.

"It may be as a result of the government throwing out our (the Liberal National Party's) criminal outlaw legislation, which had laws relating to the tow truck industry," he said on Monday.

Mr Powell also said an LNP member forwarded concerns about the issue to Mr Bailey's office in March, but didn't receive a response.

Mr Bailey is now encouraging anyone who has had an issue with a tow truck company to contact a hotline - 1800 681 636.