Tow truck driver and assistant certificates
Tow truck driver certificate holder
The holder of a tow truck driver certificate is authorised to drive and operate a tow truck attending a scene of an incident and to tow a police seized vehicle under the Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000.
The role includes preparation of a motor vehicle for towing, and to clean up the scene of the incident efficiently and safely.
A certified tow truck driver must comply with strict requirements as set out in the Tow Truck Act 1973 and the Tow Truck Regulation 2009.
How do I become a certified tow truck driver?
To become a certified tow truck driver you must:
Competency requirements
The following competency requirements must be met to show you have the ability to drive a tow truck:
- Have held a driver licence authorising you to drive a tow truck of the class for which the certificate is sought for a continuous period of 3 years immediately before an application for the certificate is made.
OR
- Demonstrate by a practical driving test that you have the ability to drive and properly control a tow truck of the class for which the certificate is sought. This includes:
- demonstrating competence in driving the tow truck whilst towing a motor vehicle
- having the ability to position a tow truck and correctly prepare a motor vehicle for towing
- having a thorough knowledge of the correct procedures for towing.
What is the cost involved to become a certified tow truck driver?
Application fees for a tow truck driver certificate must be paid when the application is lodged.
How long does a certificate for a tow truck driver last?
A tow truck driver certificate is issued for a period of 12 months.
Classes of certificate
There have been recent changes to tow truck driver certificate classes. New or renewal applications lodged prior to 26 July 2010 were issued with either:
- Class 1 certificate (CL 1) - a tow truck driver can operate a tow truck with a GVM up to 4.5 tonnes (i.e. C class vehicle)
- Class 2 certificate (CL 2) - a tow truck driver can operate a tow truck with a GVM over 4.5 tonnes in accordance with the heavy vehicle driver licence class that authorisation has been granted for.
Since 26 July 2010, tow truck driver certificate classes are issued in accordance with the driver licence class that the authorisation has been granted for.
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Tow truck assistant certificate holder
The holder of a tow truck assistant certificate is authorised to travel in a tow truck while the tow truck is attending a scene of an incident or a police seized vehicle. They provide assistance to the tow truck driver when preparing a motor vehicle for towing, loading the vehicle and assist in cleaning up the scene of an incident efficiently and safely.
A certified tow truck assistant must comply with strict requirements as set out in the Tow Truck Act 1973 and the Tow Truck Regulation 2009.
How do I become a certified tow truck assistant?
To become a certified tow truck assistant you must:
What is the cost involved to become a certified tow truck assistant?
Application fees for a tow truck assistant certificate must be paid when the application is lodged.
How long does a certificate for a tow truck assistant last?
A tow truck driver certificate is issued for a period of 12 months.
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Certificate holder conditions of use
- Tow truck drivers must carry their identity card, industry authority card or interim industry authority document at all times while operating a licensed tow truck at or near the scene of an incident or police seizure of a vehicle, or going to the scene of an incident or police seizure of a vehicle.
- Tow truck assistants must carry their identity card, industry authority card or interim industry authority document at all times while operating in connection with the use of a tow truck at or near the scene of an incident or police seizure of a vehicle, or travelling in a tow truck going to the scene of an incident or police seizure of a vehicle.
- Tow truck drivers and tow truck assistants must produce their identity card, industry authority card or interim industry authority document at the request of an authorised officer (including police officers).
- The identity card, industry authority card or interim industry authority document must be produced upon request to the driver/agent of the damaged vehicle at the scene of an incident.
- Tow truck drivers and tow truck assistants must notify the Department of Transport and Main Roads within 14 days of a change of name or address.
- Tow truck drivers and tow truck assistants must give the Department of Transport and Main Roads written notice if they are charged or convicted of an offence under the Criminal Code. The notice must be provided within 14 days, after the conviction or charge occurs.
Note: The certificate takes the form of an identity card, industry authority card or interim industry authority document.
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The Tow Truck Act 1973 defines incident as a collision or impact, however caused:
- that happens on a road and results in damage to a motor vehicle
- that happens off a road and results in damage to a motor vehicle, if immediately before the collision or impact the motor vehicle was travelling on the road.
The responsibilities of a certified tow truck driver and tow truck assistant are set out in the Tow Truck Act 1973 and the Tow Truck Regulation 2009. This legislation can be found on the Office of the Queensland Parliamentary Counsel website.
