Towing arrangements
If your car can't be driven safely, it needs to be moved before it can be repaired. We can help arrange for it to come to our Dandenong South workshop, with your authority and in line with Victoria's accident towing rules.
At the scene
Your safety comes first. If anyone is hurt or the vehicles are blocking traffic dangerously, call 000. In metropolitan Melbourne, accident towing is managed under the Accident Towing Services Act: tow trucks attending an accident scene must be allocated to it, and the driver will ask you to sign an authority to tow that records where the car is going.
You can ask for the car to be taken to the repairer of your choice, if your insurance allows it, or to a holding yard while you decide. Read the authority to tow before you sign it, and keep your copy.
Nobody should pressure you at the scene into signing a repair agreement. Victoria's rules prohibit soliciting repair work at accident scenes, and we'll never ask you to commit to a repair while you're still dealing with the accident.
What if my car has already been towed?
Tell us in your enquiry where the car is now (for example, a towing company's holding yard). With your authority, we can help arrange for it to be moved to our workshop. Storage and towing charges may apply, and who pays them depends on your insurance and the circumstances — we'll explain what we know before anything is arranged.
If the car is at home or on the road
If the car is somewhere safe but can't be driven, let us know where it is and what's wrong. We'll explain the towing options and confirm the arrangements with you before anything is booked.
Your towing rights in brief
- Only tow trucks with “TOW” plates (or “HTT” for heavy vehicles) can tow a car from an accident.
- You can have the car towed to any destination less than 125 km away, provided you pay at the time of the tow.
- In metropolitan Melbourne, accident towing fees are set by regulation, and the driver can't charge more.
- Keep your copy of the authority to tow.
- If something goes wrong, complain to the towing operator first, then to the Department of Transport and Planning.
Our guide to how accident towing works in Melbourne explains each of these, with sources.
What to have ready
- Where the car is now, and any yard or job number on your towing paperwork.
- Your copy of the authority to tow, if you signed one.
- Your claim number, if you've already lodged a claim.
The Department of Transport and Planning publishes guidance on accident towing and your rights — see transport.vic.gov.au.
Car can't be driven?
Start an accident enquiry, choose “No” for whether it can be driven, and tell us where it is.