Authorised tow trucks

A tow truck must be authorised by the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) to tow motor vehicles from the scene of a crash, from a private property parking area or from a police seizure in regulated areas of Queensland. 

A tow truck within the definition of the Tow Truck Act 2023 is a motor vehicle that is equipped with a lifting or loading device capable of being used for the towing of a motor vehicle or a vehicle used to tow a trailer equipped with a lifting or loading device used for towing of a motor vehicle. 

All tow trucks authorised by TMR to attend incidents, tow police seizures and to tow vehicles from private property must be registered in Queensland.

On this page:

• How to become an accredited tow truck operator
• Maintenance of tow trucks
• Tow truck markings
• Tow truck operator accreditation costs
• Trade work
• Towing an unregistered vehicle

How to become an accredited tow truck operator

An accredited tow truck operator pays a tow truck fee (per vehicle) that is linked to the operator accreditation.

Maintenance of tow trucks

All authorised tow trucks must have a Certificate of Inspection in effect at all times, as required under the Transport Operations (Road Use Management—Vehicle Standards and Safety) Regulation 2021.

Authorised tow trucks 4.5 tonne or less must comply with the requirements of the Queensland Light Vehicle Inspection Manual. Authorised tow trucks over 4.5 tonne must comply with the National Heavy Vehicle Inspection Manual.

Tow truck markings

An authorised  tow truck must have markings on both sides of the tow truck that display the:

• name, business address and telephone number of the accredited operator 
• classification of the tow truck 
• 4-digit tow truck number issued by TMR.

If a tow truck is sold, the 4-digit tow truck number must be removed from the vehicle. The number is not to be used on any other tow truck.

For further information on tow truck specifications, requirements, and markings to be placed on a tow truck see Schedule 1 of the Tow Truck Regulation 2024.

Tow truck operator accreditation costs

Application fees must be paid per tow truck when the application to become an accredited tow truck operator is lodged. 

Trade work

An authorised tow truck may be used for trade work (e.g. attending breakdowns and trade tows) and the driver of that vehicle does not need to be an accredited tow truck driver. However, once an authorised tow truck attends an incident, a police seizure or attends private property to tow a vehicle parked on the property within a regulated area, the driver of the tow truck must hold a current tow truck driver accreditation.

Towing an unregistered vehicle

A tow truck is permitted to tow an unregistered vehicle under section 11 of the Transport Operations (Road Use Management—Vehicle Registration) Regulation 2021. There is no need to obtain an unregistered vehicle permit. If a tow truck is to tow an unregistered vehicle, the tow truck's rear number plate should be removed and attached to the rear of the unregistered vehicle. Alternatively, an accessory plate issued to the tow truck may be attached to the rear of the unregistered vehicle in accordance with Section 142 of the regulation.

The Tow Truck Act 2023, Tow Truck Regulation 2024, Transport Operations (Road Use Management—Vehicle Standards and Safety) Regulation 2021, Transport Operations (Road Use Management—Vehicle Registration) Regulation 2021 and Heavy Vehicle (Vehicle Standards) National Regulation legislation can be found on the Queensland Legislation website.