Tow truck industry

A tow truck is a motor vehicle that is equipped with a crane, winch, ramp or other lifting or loading device and used or intended to be used for the towing or salvaging of a vehicle. This includes a motor vehicle combination consisting of a prime mover towing a semi-trailer that is equipped with a crane, winch, ramp or other lifting or loading device and used or intended to be used for the towing or salvaging of a vehicle. 

A tilt tray tow truck is a motor vehicle that is equipped with a fixed or tilting platform or tray for the carriage of a vehicle and a winch for loading a vehicle onto the platform or tray. 

A person must not use or drive a tow truck or a tilt tray tow truck or operate a vehicle as a tow truck\tilt tray tow truck unless the vehicle licence or vehicle allows it to be used as a tow truck\tilt tray tow truck. 

The tow truck, tilt tray tow truck and the vehicle being towed must comply with each standard that applies.

Tow truck and tilt tray tow truck standards include:

• General equipment
  • Securing devices
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Clean-up equipment
  • Vehicle signage
  • Rear underrun protection
• Lights and warning devices
• Classification and limitation
• Lifting requirements
• Towed vehicle brakes 
• Construction of tow trucks 
• Heavy Vehicle Standards 

Detailed information on the standards is available in the Requirements for Tow Trucks in WA guide. 

A tow truck must be inspected for roadworthiness and compliance with the current technical standards, which commenced in November 2023, before a tow truck vehicle licence can be granted. 

Vehicle owners should familiarise themselves with the standards prior to presenting a tow truck for inspection. 

Every tow truck must undertake its initial licensing inspection at the Kelmscott Vehicle Examination Centre (VEC), if it is:

• A brand new vehicle, which never been licensed before;
• An interstate vehicle transfer being licensed in WA;
• A vehicle that has been modified to be a tow truck and has not been licensed as a tow truck before; and
• A tow truck where the vehicle licence has expired over three months, requiring an examination and Certificate of Inspection to be granted prior to a new vehicle licence.

Bookings can be made at the Kelmscott Vehicle Examination centre by calling 1300 776 065. Inspection fees apply.

For more information on the vehicle inspection process and vehicle licensing fees, visit the Licence a tow truck page.

To ensure that all tow trucks comply with the updated vehicle standards, which commenced in November 2023, all tow truck owners will be required to present the vehicle for an inspection, before the vehicle licence can be renewed.

In addition, all tow trucks will be subject to ongoing annual inspections prior to vehicle licence renewal to ensure continued compliance with the vehicle standards.

Metropolitan based tow trucks may be inspected at a suitable metro Authorised Inspection Station (AIS). Visit Get a vehicle inspected (transport.wa.gov.au) to find your nearest location. Bookings must be made directly with the service provider. Subject to availability, examinations may also be completed at the Kelmscott Vehicle Examination centre. Bookings can be made by calling 1300 776 065. Inspection fees apply.

Regionally based tow trucks must book their inspection at the nearest suitable Authorised Inspection Station to their vehicles garaging address. 

Visit the Get a vehicle inspected page for more information on locations.

The Department of Transport has developed the Requirements for Tow Trucks in WA guide to assist tow truck owners and drivers. The guide outlines the vehicle standards and requirements of tow trucks and the obligations of tow truck drivers and operators when towing vehicles in Western Australia (WA).