Towing Services

Towing services provide for the movement of single vehicles from one place to another, by means of towing behind another vehicle. Most vehicle towing is performed by means of a tow truck, which is specially fitted to safely tow or transport motors vehicles.

Vehicle towing can be carried out on request for a number of purposes including roadside assistance, vehicle accident towing, stolen vehicle recovery and vehicle salvage. Vehicles may also be towed and impounded on authorisation for legal reasons— most commonly parking infringements. All Australian States have laws which regulate the accident towing industry; these laws however will differ from state to state. In general, the laws will provide regulation by licensing tow trucks, requiring the accreditation of operators and drivers, and establishing requirements for storage and repair of motor vehicles. These regulations, however, do not apply to towing services not engaged in accident recover towing.

Towing services can be provided by motor vehicle associations, breakdown services and specialist towing services. Specialist towing services can also provide truck towing services and other heavy vehicle recovery. Salvage towing is provided in conjunction with vehicle wrecking services, where a vehicle is recovered and then rendered for spare parts or scrap metal.