Tow truck operators use specially equipped trucks to move vehicles that have
broken down; have been damaged in accidents, abandoned, or impounded by the
police; or cannot be driven for some other reason. Operators work for towing
companies, service stations, or automobile salvage companies.
Tow Truck Drivers drive tow trucks requiring a specially endorsed class of
licence, to transport broken-down motor vehicles.A tow truck driver removes broken down or crashed vehicles from the roadway.
Tow truck drivers require a police clearance.
ANZSCO ID: 733115
Specialisations:Mechanic Recovery (Army)[or Recovery Mechanic]
Alternative names:Tow Truck Operator
Knowledge, skills and attributes
A commercial
driver’s license
At least one year
of commercial driving experience
Strong
communication and time management skills
Basic mechanical
skills
Attention to
detail when documenting work - good at
record-keeping
Physical strength
and stamina
Honest and
reliable
Calm, helpful and
diplomatic when dealing with customers
Efficient and
able to work well under pressure
Wear protective clothing
at all times when driving or operating a tow truck
The ability to operate a
tow truck safely and tow vehicles without damaging them
An understanding of the
locking mechanisms of different types of vehicles
Basic mechanical skills
to fix minor mechanical problems or release handbrakes
Travels to scene of
accident, illegal parking or other situation requiring towing
Respond to accidents,
break-downs, and other roadside incidents
Interacting with the
customer to find out the nature of the problem
Performing roadside
vehicle diagnostics
Performing minor repairs
Jump-starting vehicles,
changing tyres and reconnecting vehicle parts
Suggesting a course of
action
Attaches towing equipment
to vehicle or winches vehicle onto tilt-deck winch- truck - attach
cables, chains or other equipment and winch the vehicle to towing
elevation or onto the truck flatbed
Connect any necessary lights to the back of
the vehicle
Tows vehicle to depot or
other location [wrecker's yard or scrapyard]
Stay in contact with
motorists when you are en route
Perform basic repairs or
tow their vehicle to a garage
Safely load cars onto the
back of their truck
Keep their truck clean and
in good condition
Remove illegally parked
vehicles
Carries out
winching and heavy salvage
Remove any debris caused
by, or relating to, the motor vehicle being towed unless
otherwise directed by a police officer
When attending the scene
of a motor vehicle accident, they must comply with any reasonable
direction given to them by an authorised officer, police officer or
emergency services officer who is present at the scene and is
exercising his or her official duties
Maintains and
repairs equipment
Keeps records - completed
paperwork in terms of call logs, battery invoices and cash receipts
Reporting to base and
completing paperwork
Provide Police Impound
Insurance tows through Central Dispatch
Honouring service
contracts for car dealerships by providing road side service 24
hours/day
usually do shift work, including nights
or weekends, and are not allowed to work for more than 13 hours in one
day or 70 hours in one week
work from their truck and depot, and
outside on roadsides and in parking lots
work in conditions that can be
dangerous, such as accident scenes and busy roads.
Tow truck drivers may be called out at all hours of the night and
in bad weather.
Tow truck drivers hook up
heavy machinery and vehicles to trucks daily, putting them at risk for many
physical injuries including:
* Back and neck injuries
* Musculoskeletal injuries
* Repetitive stress injuries
* Strains and sprains
Tow truck drivers may also be seriously or fatally injured outside of their
vehicle. Drivers typically load vehicles onto the tow truck on the side of
the road, where they are at risk of being hit by oncoming traffic. Another
hazard of the job is workplace assault – irate car owners may become violent
with tow truck drivers as their vehicles are being prepared to be towed
away.
Tow truck drivers are
often called to the scene of horrific accidents. However, unlike fire
fighters, police officers and other first responders, they do not have
access to formal mental or emotional support systems.
Tools and Technologies
A tow truck operator may drive
one of three kinds of trucks. Conventional tow trucks are equipped with a
hook and sling that the operators use to raise one end of a disabled vehicle
for towing. Operators of wheel-lift or full-float trucks use winches to lift
cars and place support wheels under one or both axles for towing. Flatbed
trucks are used for transporting more expensive cars. Operators lower the
truck beds to the ground, winch disabled vehicles onto the beds, and then
raise the beds for driving.
In all cases, operators may
attach steering locks, chains, or lights to disabled vehicles so they can be
moved safely.
Education and training/entrance requirements
You can work as a Tow Truck Driver without formal qualifications.
Some States require driver certification. Some
on the job training may be provided. A certificate III or IV in driving
operations might be helpful.
Employment
Opportunities
Tow truck operators may progress
into management roles or set up their own tow truck business.
They may also move into other transport-related jobs, such as heavy truck
driving.
Sir Tow Mater KG, most commonly referred to as Tow Mater or
simply Mater, is one of the main characters in Cars and its
sequels, Cars 2 and Cars 3 as well as Cars Toons. He is voiced
by Larry the Cable Guy and inspired by a 1956–57 International
Harvester Tow truck and 1955-1957 Chevrolet Task Force.
Portrayed as Holley Shiftwell's boyfriend and best friend;
and,,
Lightning McQueen's best friend and sidekick, he had a breakout
role in Cars Toons: Mater's Tall Tales and in other media
related to Cars.
A Recovery Mechanic (Mechanic Recovery) serves in the Corps of the Royal
Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (RAEME). They experience
the unique adventures and challenges that come with providing recovery
support to Army’s vehicles and equipment, whenever they have become
bogged, broken down, damaged or disabled. They are responsible for the
salvage, recovery and towing of the Army's vehicles and equipment when
they become bogged, broken down, damaged or disabled. The Recovery
Mechanic operates a variety of specialist trucks and armoured (tracked
and wheeled) recovery vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with
winches, towing equipment and cranes.
You need to be quick-thinking, confident and enjoy being hands-on
– with your expertise as a Recovery Mechanic being in high demand, to
aid in the overall battlefield effort. You will receive world-class
training so you are able to recover all types of Defence Material,
utilising state of the art medium and heavy recovery vehicles, including
leading edge, specialised tracked and wheeled armoured recovery
vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with winches, towing equipment and
cranes.
Recovery Mechanics are employed at bases across Australia and can be
deployed operations around the world.
Provide technical
maintenance of Army’s Lifting, Recovery and Tie-Down Equipment.
Use recovery vehicles and
equipment along with your training in recovery theory to work out how to
retrieve/extricate immobile manoeuvre assets (wheeled and tracked). This
may involve the use of winches, cranes, gas cutting equipment and even
explosives to get the job done.
AAbility to work
independently or as a small team leader for extensive hours in high
tempo conditions in combat, non-combat and peacetime operations.
Provide assistance over
rough going and/or boggy terrain in order to keep the fighting force
advancing towards the objective.
Help to recover damaged vehicles and rescue
stranded soldiers
Work at the centre of the action
Use cranes, lifting gear and training in
mechanical theory to work out how to retrieve immobile vehicles
To keep the fighting forces moving forwards
Education and training/entrance requirements
Completion of Australian Year 10 education (or
equivalent) with passes in English and Mathematics. To be enlisted or
appointed, you must be medically and physically fit for entry to your
chosen occupation. This is partially assessed from the completion of an
extensive questionnaire covering your medical history, followed by a
physical examination.
You will also be required to successfully pass a physical fitness test
before appointment.
All applicants must hold a current
provisional/probationary drivers licence. If a candidate has a civilian
licence that is under suspension or has been cancelled, they will not be
eligible to enlist into this role until such time that the suspension or
cancellation has been lifted or has expired.
The application process to join the Australian
Defence Force requires you to complete a series of aptitude tests which
may include verbal, spatial and numerical ability and a general maths
test. Some jobs may also require you to complete additional testing at a
later date.
Psychology support staff will explain what is involved with each test.
The aptitude tests provide information about your suitability for the
Defence Force and for particular jobs.
Employment Opportunities
Recruitment to the Australian Defence Force is conducted on an
Australia-wide basis all year round.