Operating a tow truck is a highly regulated activity, essential for roadside assistance and vehicle recovery. For businesses and individuals involved in towing, understanding and adhering to certification requirements is paramount for legal and safe operations. This article provides a comprehensive guide to tow truck certifications, ensuring your business operates within the bounds of the law and maintains the highest safety standards.
Based on regulations outlined in the Utah Administrative Rule R909-19-8 and Utah Code Annotated (UCA) 72-9-102(5) & 72-9-602, any entity operating a vehicle as a tow truck must secure and maintain three critical certifications. These certifications are not merely bureaucratic hurdles; they are safeguards designed to protect the public and ensure professionalism within the towing industry.
The Three Pillars of Tow Truck Certification
The certification framework rests on three key pillars, each addressing a different aspect of tow truck operation:
- Driver Certification: Ensuring the individual behind the wheel is qualified and competent.
- Tow Truck (Vehicle) Certification: Guaranteeing the tow truck itself is properly equipped and maintained for safe towing.
- Company Certification: Confirming the towing company adheres to operational and legal standards.
It’s crucial to note that all three certifications must be in place before any tow truck operation commences and must be consistently maintained to remain compliant with UCA 72-9-602.
Important Exception: These stringent certifications are designed for commercial operations. If you’re using a tow strap or similar noncommercial method to tow your own vehicle for personal reasons (like taking it home for repairs), these certifications do not apply.
Certification Validity: Vehicle and company certifications are typically valid for two years from the date of issuance. Driver certification validity periods are determined by the certifying entity.
Deep Dive into Tow Truck Driver Certification
Driver certification is the cornerstone of safe towing operations. Regulations mandate that tow truck motor carriers must ensure their drivers meet specific criteria to be certified. While the original article excerpt does not detail the specific requirements for driver certification, it emphasizes the carrier’s responsibility to ensure their drivers are certified. This typically involves background checks, driving record reviews, and potentially specialized training in safe towing practices.
Essential Requirements for Tow Truck (Vehicle) Certification
The tow truck itself must meet rigorous standards to be certified. These requirements cover essential equipment, vehicle maintenance, and load capacity, all critical for safe and effective towing.
Required Equipment Checklist for Trucks Towing
To pass vehicle certification, tow trucks must be equipped with the following:
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Amber Rotating/Oscillating Lights: These are high-visibility warning lights, essential for alerting the public to emergency situations. They must be permanently mounted at the highest point of the vehicle, with at least one light being 6 inches in diameter. These lights are crucial for roadside safety when trucks tow disabled vehicles.
Alt text: Bright amber rotating light mounted on top of a tow truck, signaling caution and emergency.
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Horn: A standard audible warning device, necessary for signaling and safety.
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Portable Lights: Essential when a wheel lift is used and the tow vehicle’s rear lights are obstructed. These include portable turn signals, brake lights, and emergency hazard lights, which can also be wireless. Ensuring visibility is key when trucks tow vehicles, especially at night.
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Fire Extinguisher (Minimum 10BC): A readily accessible, secured, and charged fire extinguisher is vital for handling small fires.
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Tie Down Chains or Straps (Minimum 4): These are critical for securing the towed load and preventing shifting during transit.
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Door and Steering Wheel Ties: Used to secure the towed vehicle, keeping doors closed and locking the steering (and tires) in place for safe towing.
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Cones or Triangles (Minimum 3): Standard emergency traffic control devices, required for commercial motor vehicles.
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Scoop Shovel & Broom: For efficient cleanup of debris, especially glass, from the roadway after an incident. Responsible trucks tow operations include site cleanup.
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Safety Chains (Minimum Grade 7): Heavy-duty chains to secure the towed vehicle to the boom or bed, preventing swaying and potential separation.
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Oil Absorbent: For managing and cleaning up spills of fuel, antifreeze, battery acid, and other fluids on the roadway.
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Debris Container (5 Gallon): A container to collect glass and other debris swept from the road.
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Chock Blocks (2) or Stiff Legs: To stabilize the tow truck during recovery operations, particularly on slippery surfaces like ice.
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Safety Vest (Class 2): High-visibility vest for the tow truck driver, enhancing their safety and visibility to the public.
Vehicle Maintenance Requirements
Regular maintenance is crucial for tow truck certification. Key areas of inspection include:
- Front of Truck: Headlamps, turn signals, four-way flashers, marker and ID lights (checking for proper color, mounting, and visibility), and windshield wipers.
- Side of Truck: Wheels, rims, and tires – ensuring they are in good condition and meet safety standards.
- Rear of Truck: Tail lamps, stop lamps, turn signals, and 4-way flashers – similar to the front, ensuring proper function and visibility.
- Cargo Area: Ensuring all equipment and cargo are properly secured to prevent hazards during towing.
- Annual State Safety Inspection: Tow trucks typically require an annual safety inspection to ensure ongoing compliance.
Vehicle Load Capacity and Data Plates
Understanding the load capacity of your tow truck is essential for safe operations. Certification requires clear data plates indicating weight ratings:
- Truck Data Plate: Must be attached to the vehicle (or official documentation available inside) stating the manufacturer’s Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).
- Boom or Bed Data Plate: Attached to the boom or bed (or documented), stating the maximum load capacity of the boom or bed.
- Wheel Lift Data Plate: Attached to the wheel lift, boom, or bed (or documented), indicating the wheel lift’s maximum load capacity.
In some cases, a single data plate may provide information for the bed, boom, and wheel lift, simplifying the documentation.
A tow truck achieves vehicle certification when all required safety equipment is present and functional, vehicle maintenance is up to standard, and data plates are correctly displayed and documented.
Tow Truck Company Certification: Ensuring Operational Compliance
Company certification extends beyond individual vehicles and drivers to encompass the overall operational standards of the towing business. To become a certified tow truck motor carrier, companies must ensure:
- Driver and Vehicle Certifications: All drivers and vehicles are individually certified and maintain their certifications.
- Compliance with Regulations: Adherence to all relevant Utah Administrative Rules (R909-19) and Utah Code Annotated sections (UCA 41-6a-1406 & 72-9-603).
- Proper Tow Receipts: Tow receipts must contain all information mandated by Utah Administrative Rule R909-19.
- Fee Transparency: All fees (storage, towing, administrative, fuel surcharges) must be clearly posted in an obvious location, as per Utah Administrative Rule R909-19.
- Adequate Insurance Liability:
- $750,000 liability coverage for carriers performing police-generated tows only.
- $1,000,000 liability coverage for carriers performing all types of tows.
- MCS-90 Coverage: Motor carriers must have an MCS-90 endorsement (environmental restoration coverage) on file at their principal place of business.
- MCS-150 Updates: Biennial updates of the MCS-150 form as required by 49 CFR 390.19.
- Vehicle Markings: Vehicles must be marked with the company name according to 49 CFR 390.21.
- Unified Carrier Registration (UCR): Payment of UCR fees for all years a carrier is registered with the FMCSA as interstate.
Compliance reviews for tow truck motor carriers are conducted at least once every two years to ensure ongoing adherence to these regulations.
For Further Information: Contact the Tow Truck Team at 801-965-4892 for specific queries and guidance on tow truck certifications in Utah.
This comprehensive guide clarifies the essential certification requirements for towing trucks, emphasizing safety, legality, and operational best practices within the towing industry. By understanding and meeting these standards, tow truck operators and companies can ensure they are operating responsibly and professionally.
