Victoria's tow truck industry is regulated by the VicRoads.
In September 2007 regulation of the tow truck industry will move from the Victorian Taxi Directorate (VTD) to VicRoads.
VicRoads is a statutory Corporation within the Victorian Government under the responsibility of the Minister for Roads and Ports.
In April 2007 the Accident Towing Services Bill was introduced into Parliament, reforming Victoria’s towing services industry. The Bill introduces a new framework for the regulation of towing services including:
- the introduction of a modern accreditation scheme for accident towing operators, depot managers and drivers focusing on customer service for road accident victims
- removal of unnecessary regulatory constraints on the trade towing sector
The new accreditation scheme for the accident towing industry will ensure that complaints handling systems are set up and service information given to VicRoads for monitoring, policy development and compliance. Those operators and drivers which don’t meet customer services standards will face warnings, suspension of accreditation or cancellation for serious breaches.
Trade towing operators will no longer need a licence which removes an unnecessary cost on business.
The changes will take effect January 2009 when the Bill becomes an Act, unless proclaimed earlier by VicRoads.
The tow truck industry in Victoria is broken up into three different types of towing:
- accident towing
- heavy accident towing
- trade towing
Each area requires a different licence. Drivers and passengers in tow trucks which attend accident scenes also need Accident Towing Driver Authorities. VicRoads is responsible for the issuing these Authorities.
In Victoria, tow trucks in Metropolitan areas are formally allocated to attend accidents. The accident allocation areas are:
- The Controlled Area (Melbourne and the Mornington Peninsula).
- Geelong Accident Allocation Area.
In other areas of Victoria, tow trucks may attend an accident scene without a formal allocation.
| Number of tow trucks operating in Victoria |
1,646 |
| |
|
| Number of Accident towing licences in Victoria |
727 |
| Metropolitan |
417 |
| Regional |
310 |
| |
|
| Number of Heavy Accident towing licences in Victoria |
39 |
| Metropolitan |
22 |
| Regional |
17 |
| |
|
| Number of Trade towing licences in Victoria |
880 |
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