Crash towing
In some areas of Queensland, we regulate towing after a crash. This is to make sure that crash sites are managed and cleared in the safest, most orderly and controlled way. We manage crash sites to:
- lower road safety risks to other road users
- reduce emotional trauma to crash victims
- protect their property.
If you're involved in a traffic accident, it can be a traumatic and stressful experience. It helps to know what to do and understand your rights.
What if I need a tow truck?
Who can tow your vehicle
You have the right to decide who will tow your vehicle. You may wish to contact your insurance company before doing, or signing, anything as they may be able to organise for your vehicle to be towed.
Towing authority form
Don’t sign a blank or incomplete towing authority form and carefully read the form before you sign.
You must sign the towing authority form before your vehicle is towed. This is a written agreement between you and the tow truck driver outlining the terms of the tow, such as delivery destination and scheduled fees.
If you are injured and unable to sign, a police officer or someone acting on your behalf can sign the towing authority for you.
Towing address
The towing authority form must include the complete address of where the car will be towed and fees that the towing operator will charge. You have the right to decide where your car is towed. Read more below about deciding on your towing destination.
Laws that tow truck drivers must comply with
A tow truck driver or assistant must not:
- force and harass you to sign a towing authority if you are unwilling or incapable of making an informed decision
- prevent or hinder the delivery of medical attention.
Deciding on where to tow your vehicle
It’s your choice where your vehicle is towed to. For example, the location you choose could be:
- your house
- a smash repairer
- the towing operator's holding yard.
Don’t rush into a decision. If you want time to consider your options, you could get your car towed to your home. Consider though that this could mean that you'll pay for another tow later if your car needs to be towed from your home. However, storage fees for the towing operator's holding yard can be costly so you may want to decide what to do when you've had time to think about the best solution.
Storage charges
If you choose to have your vehicle towed to a holding yard, the towing company can't charge you:
- storage fees for the first 72 hours.
- to view the vehicle during normal business hours.
After the first 72 hours, a towing company can charge a daily storage fee. You must be given written notice of the storage fee 2 days before fees are charged. Also, if you have paid the towing fees and any storage after the first 72 hours, the towing operator can't charge you a release fee when you collect your vehicle from the holding yard.
Towing costs
The maximum amount a tow truck operator can charge for a ‘standard tow’ is regulated by Transport and Main Roads.
A ‘standard tow' includes:
- a tow of the vehicle
- 60 minutes of working time at the scene, preparing the vehicle for towing and cleaning up the scene
- transport of the damaged vehicle from the accident to the agreed destination
- 72 hours storage in the holding yard.
Tow truck licensing scheme regulated areas
Find out if you're in a regulated area where the above rules apply. Some remote areas are not regulated by the tow truck licensing scheme.
More information about crashes
Read more about what you need to do after a crash on the Queensland Police website.