Edition 45, June 2007

Victoria reforms tow truck industry

Victoria's Accident Towing Services Bill 2007  is intended to enhance local road safety by implementing better customer service for accident victims. It will address unnecessary regulatory constraints and generally improve towing industry compliance by:

  • introducing a modern accreditation scheme for accident towing operators, depot managers and drivers focusing on customer service for road accident victims
  • removing unnecessary regulatory constraints on the trade towing sector
  • formalising the transfer of regulatory responsibility for the towing industry from the Director of Public Transport to VicRoads.

It has been recognised by the Victorian Government that the trade towing sector (which deals with breakdown, clear away and non-accident tows) can maintain a high operational standard without regulation. Therefore operators will no longer be licenced, reducing unnecessary costs.

However, accident towing will remain tightly regulated. This will ensure that operators are of appropriate character and can provide necessary service and care to accident victims.

The new accreditation scheme for this sector will ensure that complaints handling systems are set up and service information is given to VicRoads for monitoring, policy development and compliance purposes, forging a closer alliance with the industry.

Operators and drivers who fail to meet customer service standards will face warnings, suspension of accreditation or cancellation for serious breaches.

Currently, tow truck operations are still being handled by the Director of Public Transport through the Victorian Taxi Directorate. Comprehensive information will be available soon from VicRoads.

For more information visit www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/Home/HeavyVehicles

This page was generated on 14 January, 2010

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