Tow trucks

Tow truck tips

The rules for getting your vehicle towed depend on where you are in Victoria. 

Accident towing versus trade towing

Some tow trucks are only allowed to do a certain type of towing.

Tow typeUsed whenCan be performed by
Trade towing

Use trade towing when you break down and need to be towed.

For example:

  • overheated engine
  • broken radiator
  • flat tyre.
  • Tow trucks with either:
    • ordinary number plates
    • number plates that end in 'TT'
    • number plates that begin with 'TOW'.
  • anyone with a vehicle capable of performing a towing function and that meets the regulated requirements for a tow truck.
Accident towing

You were in a car crash where you made impact with something and you can't drive the car away.

For example:

  • your car hit a tree
  • your car was hit by another car.
  • accredited towing companies with tow trucks that have number plates with:
    • 'TOW' vehicles under 4 tonnes)
    • 'HTT' vehicles over 4 tonnes.

Regional and rural towing

Arrange a tow with an accredited tow truck company, either by calling your insurer or a tow truck company requesting a licenced tow truck.

Location of your carAccident towing contact
Melbourne regioncall 13 11 76
Geelong regioncall (03) 5277 2111
Regional and rural VictoriaArrange a tow truck by calling your insurer.

Accident tow procedure

Before you get towed

The tow truck driver must:

  • if you were in a crash, give you a copy of the towing from an accident scene (PDF) leaflet 
  • explain your rights to have the vehicle towed to a destination of your choice
  • provide a copy of the authority to tow - which sets out the towing agreement - to the person who signs it.

Tow truck drivers (or any other person) can't ask you for repair work at an accident scene.

Sign the authority to tow

You must sign an authority to tow form before your vehicle is towed. The authority shows what services you're paying for.

If you can’t sign the authority to tow, a police or Department of Transport and Planning officer may sign the form on your behalf.

A vehicle damaged in an accident must be moved if it’s a traffic hazard.  

If your vehicle cannot be driven from the accident scene, you are liable for the cost of the tow. 

Choose a tow destination

Vehicles towed to a tow truck depot must be stored in a secure area at all times. You can:  

  • check whether this will be under cover or outside
  • ask how much each option costs.  

As the owner or driver of a damaged vehicle, you can:  

  • call people to help decide where to have the vehicle towed or repaired
  • have your vehicle towed up to 125km away.  

Organise payment

You must be offered these payment types:

  • cash
  • credit card
  • debit card.

If you can’t pay at the time of the tow, the tow truck driver may refuse to tow your vehicle to your tow destination.  

If you agree to pay later, the tow truck driver will tow the vehicle to the tow truck company’s depot. 

Pick up your car at the depot

Once you’ve paid all charges, the tow truck depot must give you your vehicle during standard business hours (8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday).  

Some depots (outside of the Melbourne and Mornington Peninsula regions) are exempt from these business hours. But they must still:  

  • be contactable by mobile phone
  • offer a reasonable level of customer service.  

You must also pay for any repairs you approved.

The depot must offer you these payment types:

  • cash
  • credit card
  • debit card. 

Useful resources