Tow trucks used for crash towing

A towing service provider must ensure that any vehicle used to tow crashed vehicles is a tow truck (as defined in the Road Traffic (Vehicles) Regulations 2024) that is classified under regulation 414 of those regulations as —

a tow truck of class 1, class 2, class 3 or class 4; or
a tilt tray tow truck of class 1T, class 2T, class 3T or class 4T.
The tow truck must also be the subject of a vehicle licence granted under the Road Traffic (Vehicles) Act 2012 that is in force. 

Tow trucks registered in another Australian state or territory, or under the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator may still be used for all other forms of towing as long as the responsible person for the tow truck does not live in Western Australia. 

Penalty: Individuals, a fine of $5 000. Bodies corporate, a fine of $25 000.

A towing service provider must ensure that no restricted name or logo is displayed on a tow truck that is used to tow crashed vehicles.  Restricted names or logos include the name or logo of: 

• a public entity*, such as Main Roads Western Australia; 
• an insurance company;
• a roadside assistance provider; or
• a vehicle repair service or car hire service.

*This does not apply if the restricted name or logo is that of a public entity and the public entity has given written consent to the display of the name or logo. 

The obligations on towing service providers to ensure that tow trucks used for crash towing do not display restricted names or logos also applies to ensuring that restricted names or logos are not displayed on the clothing worn by a towing worker while engaging in towing work on behalf of the towing service provider or obtaining or attempting to obtain an authority to tow a vehicle from a crash scene.

engage in towing work means to do any of the following —  

1. operate a tow truck;  
2. load a vehicle onto a tow truck;  
3. tow a vehicle using a tow truck; 
4. assist or accompany any person in the execution of an act described in paragraph (a), (b) or (c).

operate, in relation to a tow truck, includes to drive the tow truck and to operate any carrying, lifting or towing mechanism of the tow truck.

Penalty: Individuals, a fine of $9,000. Bodies corporate, a fine of $45,000.

To improve safety and accountability at crash sites, new regulations will require all tow trucks involved in crash towing to have dashboard cameras (dashcams). 

This is to:

• Improve Evidence Collection: Dashcam footage will provide important visual documentation of crash sites, helping with investigations and ensuring correct records of events. 
• Encourage Compliant Behaviour: The presence of dashcams should encourage proper behaviour by all parties at the scene, including tow truck workers and other personnel. 

Dashcam Regulations for tow trucks at crash sites

The dashcams will face forward, filming through the front windscreen and not recording what happens within the tow truck. The intent is to film travel to crash sites, soliciting to have authority to tow forms signed, loading of crashed vehicles and travel away from crash sites. 

The footage is to be kept for three months after each tow, and to be shared with the Department of Transport on request. 

When will Dashboard Camera Recordings be required?

Before starting to travel to the scene of the vehicle crash, the towing worker must check that the dashboard camera unit is in working order and positioned and configured to enable it to make a visual recording.

The towing worker must ensure that a continuous visual recording is made using the dashboard camera unit for a period that starts -

• when the tow truck starts travelling to the scene; or
• If the tow truck travels more than 2 km to the scene - when the tow truck is at least 2 km from the scene;

and ends -

• when the tow truck has travelled at least 2 km away from the scene after the attendance at the scene; or
• if the tow truck travels less than 2 km to its next destination after the attendance at the scene - when the tow truck reaches its next destination.

What are the Requirements for the Visual Recordings?

The visual recording must: 

• record the forward view through the front windscreen of the tow truck; and
• be clear and unobstructed; 
• be at least 720p; and
• continuously display - 
  • the time and date in Australian Western Standard Time; and
  • the latitude and longitude coordinates; and
  • not be affected by electromagnetic interference, or any other interference, that interrupts or reduces the quality of the recording.

The towing worker must ensure that the visual recording is provided to the towing service provider as soon as is practicable but in any case within 48 hours after the photographs are taken.

The towing service provider is to retain the video recordings for three months and to share them with authorised Department of Transport officers on request.