To be able to operate a tow truck you need to get a vehicle licence. There are a limited number of licences which you can buy, any additional new licences can only be authorised by the Minister for Road and Ports. There are three types of tow truck licences available:
The operation of all towing licences must be in accordance with the Transport Act 1983 and the Transport (Tow Truck) Regulations 2005.
Drivers and passengers of a tow truck attending an accident scene must also hold an Accident Towing Driver Authority.
An accident towing licence permits a tow truck to attend an accident scene to offer a service of towing or lifting and carrying a damaged or disabled vehicle under 4 tonnes. A tow truck is dispatched to an accident scene within a two kilometre radius from the approximate point of impact. Vehicles with an accident towing licence may also offer trade towing services.
You can identify an accident towing licence vehicle by its number plates which show 'TOW 000' to 'TOW 999'.
An accident towing licence can be purchased from an existing licence holder.
Step 1: Validate the transfer with VicRoads
To make the purchase of the licence valid you must apply to VicRoads for a transfer.
Step 2: Complete the application form
You can download the application form Application for transfer of tow truck licence/s from Tow truck forms or call VicRoads on 13 11 71.
Step 3: Attach supporting documentation
You must attach the supporting documentation which is listed on the back of the application form.
Step 4: Lodge application
Send your application, together with the supporting documentation and the appropriate transfer fee of $167.00. Also indicate which
Accident Allocation System roster (see
Towing licence fee types) to:
VicRoads, Project Officer - Tow Truck Regulation
Locked Bag 9000
Kew,Vic 3101
or visit the Frankston or Broadmeadows customer service centres, by appointment only. Call VicRoads on 13 11 71 to arrange an appointment (fees apply):
- Frankston office, 71 Hartnett Drive, Seaford
- Broadmeadows office, Cnr Pearcedale Parade and Johnstone Street, Broadmeadows
Please note: Additional accident towing licences can only be authorised by the Minister for Roads and Ports if there is a demonstrated need for new licences. Further information is available from Section 172E of the Transport Act 1983.
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A heavy accident towing licence permits a tow truck to attend an accident scene anywhere in Victoria to tow or lift and carry any damaged motor vehicle with a gross vehicle mass of four tonnes or more. An allocation is not required. A heavy accident towing licence also allows breakdown and trade towing of cars and trucks.
You can identify a heavy accident towing licence vehicle by its number plates which show '000 HTT' to '999 HTT'.
A heavy accident towing licence can be purchased from an existing licence holder.
Step 1: Validate the transfer with VicRoads
To make the purchase of the licence valid you must apply to VicRoads for a transfer.
Step 2: Complete the application form
You can download the application form Application for transfer of tow truck licence/s from Tow truck forms or call VicRoads on 13 11 71.
Step 3: Attach supporting documentation
You must attach the supporting documentation which is listed on the back of the application form.
Step 4: Lodge the applicaiton
Send your application, together with the supporting documentation and the appropriate transfer fee of $167 (see Towing licence fee types) to:
VicRoads, Project Officer - Tow Truck Regulation
Locked Bag 9000
Kew,Vic 3101
or visit the Frankston or Broadmeadows customer service centres, by appointment only. Call VicRoads on 13 11 71 to arrange an appointment (fees apply):
- Frankston office, 71 Hartnett Drive, Seaford
- Broadmeadows office, Cnr Pearcedale Parade and Johnstone Street, Broadmeadows
Please note: Additional heavy accident towing licences can only be authorised by the Minister for Roads and Ports if there is a demonstrated need for new licences. Further information is available from Section 172D of the Transport Act 1983.
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A trade towing licence permits the towing or lifting and carrying of motor vehicles anywhere in Victoria, except from an accident scene. An accident scene is defined as a two kilometre radius from the approximate point of impact of the damaged vehicle.
You can identify a trade towing license vehicle by its number plates which show '0000 TT' to '9999 TT'.
Note: VicRoads requires an Authority to Register to be completed and approved by the Project Officer - Tow Truck Registration prior to attending the customer service centre. Requests for an Authority to Register can be forwarded by mail or by fax on 9854 2918 with appropriate information.
Step 1: Complete the application form
You can download the application form Application for trade towing licence/s from Tow truck forms or call VicRoads on 13 11 71.
Step 2: Lodge application
Send your application, together with the supporting documentation and the appropriate fee (application fee $167; annual licence a fee pro-rata fee calculated from date of application approved (refer to ProRata Fees [PDF, 40KB, 9PP] document for further information) and Plate fee $26) (see Towing licence fee types) to:
VicRoads, Project Officer - Tow Truck Regulation
Locked Bag 9000
Kew, Vic 3101
or visit the Frankston or Broadmeadows offices, by appointment only. Call VicRoads on 13 11 71 to arrange an appointment (fees apply):
- Frankston office, 71 Hartnett Drive, Seaford
- Broadmeadows office, Cnr Pearcedale Parade and Johnstone Street, Broadmeadows
Please note: The issue of the licence is dependent on the payment of the appropriate fees and the vehicle's compliance with the Transport Act 1983 and Transport (Tow Truck) Regulations 2005.
|
(new licences) |
$167 |
Transfer fee*
(purchasing an existing licence) |
$167 |
Variation fee*
(variation to the conditions of the licence - normally change of depot address) |
$167 |
| Substitution fee* (Number Plates switched from one vehicle to another) |
$64 |
Annual licence fee*
(heavy accident towing licence or trade towing licence) |
$167 |
| Annual licence fee* (non-roster; that is not part of the Accident Allocation System) |
$167 |
Annual licence fee* (roster; that is part of the Accident Allocation System)
(4 installments of $209.50) |
$838
|
Duplicate licence fee*
(replacement certificate) |
$21.50 |
| |
$21.50 |
|
(trade towing only) |
$26 |
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