Operating a tow truck for commercial purposes requires strict adherence to regulations to ensure safety and legal compliance. In Utah, as outlined by the Utah Administrative Rule R909-19-8 and Utah Code Annotated (UCA) 72-9-602, any company utilizing a vehicle as a tow truck must secure and maintain three essential certifications. These certifications are designed to guarantee that all aspects of tow truck operations, from the driver to the vehicle and the company itself, meet specific safety and operational standards.
These mandatory certifications include:
- Driver Certification: Ensuring that individuals operating tow trucks are qualified and competent.
- Tow Truck (Vehicle) Certification: Confirming that the tow trucks themselves are properly equipped and maintained for safe operation.
- Company Certification: Verifying that the towing company adheres to all regulatory requirements and maintains adequate operational standards.
It is imperative to obtain all three certifications before commencing any tow truck operations and to keep these certifications current to remain compliant with UCA 72-9-602.
Important Exception: These certification requirements do not extend to individuals towing their own vehicles for non-commercial purposes. For instance, using a tow strap to move a personal vehicle to a home garage or repair shop is exempt from these regulations. This exception is specifically for personal, non-commercial towing activities.
Certification Validity Note: Both the tow truck and tow truck motor carrier certifications are valid for a period of two years from the date they are issued. Driver certifications have a validity period as determined by the certifying entity, which may vary.
Tow Truck Driver Certification Details
Utah Administrative Rule R909-19-8 mandates that tow truck motor carriers are responsible for ensuring their drivers meet specific certification criteria. While the specifics of driver certification are determined by the certifying entity, it generally involves demonstrating competency in operating tow trucks safely and in accordance with regulations. This may include training, testing, and background checks to ensure driver proficiency and responsibility when operating vehicles used to tow trucks.
Tow Truck (Vehicle) Certification Requirements: Ensuring Vehicle Safety
Utah Administrative Rule R909-19-8 also sets forth detailed requirements for tow truck (vehicle) certification. These requirements are centered on ensuring that each tow truck is equipped with necessary safety equipment, properly maintained, and has clearly defined load capacities.
Essential Equipment for Certified Tow Trucks
To achieve vehicle certification, tow trucks must be equipped with the following safety equipment:
- Amber Rotating/Oscillating Lights: These are crucial for alerting the public to emergency situations. They must be permanently mounted at the vehicle’s highest point and be at least 6 inches in diameter. These lights are vital for visibility and safety when Trucks Tow and operate in potentially hazardous conditions.
- Horn: A standard audible warning device necessary for safety.
- Portable Lights: Essential when the tow vehicle’s rear lights are obstructed by a towed vehicle, particularly for wheel-lift equipped trucks. These include turn signals, brake lights, and emergency hazard lights, and can be wireless for ease of use.
- Fire Extinguisher (Minimum 10BC): A readily accessible, secured, and charged fire extinguisher of at least 10BC rating is mandatory for handling small fires.
- Tie Down Chains or Straps (Minimum 4): At least four tie-down chains or straps are required to securely fasten the towed load.
- Door and Steering Wheel Ties: These are used to ensure the towed vehicle’s doors remain closed and the steering is locked in place during towing.
- Cones or Triangles (Minimum 3): For traffic control, especially as emergency equipment for commercial motor vehicles.
- Scoop Shovel and Broom: Required for cleaning debris, especially glass, from the roadway at accident scenes.
- Safety Chains (Minimum Grade 7): Used to secure the towed vehicle to the boom or bed, preventing swaying and potential detachment.
- Oil Absorbent: Essential for managing spills of diesel fuel, antifreeze, battery acid, and other fluids on the roadway.
- Debris Container (5 Gallon): A container to collect and dispose of debris swept from the roadway.
- Chock Blocks (2) or Stiff Legs: Used to stabilize the tow truck during recovery operations, especially on slippery surfaces.
- Safety Vest (Class 2): A Class 2 safety vest is required to enhance the driver’s visibility to the public, especially in roadside operations.
Alt: Amber rotating light mounted on top of a tow truck for safety and visibility during towing operations.
Vehicle Maintenance Requirements for Tow Trucks
Maintaining the tow truck is as critical as having the right equipment. Vehicle maintenance checks include:
- Front of Truck: Inspect headlamps, turn signals, four-way flashers, marker and ID lights for proper color, mounting, and visibility, as well as checking the condition of wipers.
- Side of Truck: Inspect wheels, rims, and tires for condition and safety.
- Rear of Truck: Check tail lamps, stop lamps, turn signals, and 4-way flashers to ensure they are functioning correctly.
- Cargo Area: Ensure all equipment and cargo are properly secured to prevent hazards.
- Annual State Safety Inspection: Tow trucks must undergo an annual state safety inspection to ensure ongoing compliance.
Vehicle Load Capacity and Data Plates
Properly understanding and displaying the load capacity of tow trucks is crucial for safe operation. This is verified through data plates:
- Truck Data Plate: Must be attached to the vehicle or have an official document in the vehicle stating the manufacturer’s Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).
- Boom or Bed Data Plate: Must be attached to the boom or bed, or have documentation in the vehicle, indicating the maximum load capacity of the boom or bed.
- Wheel Lift Data Plate: Must be attached to the wheel lift, boom, or bed, or documented within the vehicle, specifying the wheel lift’s maximum load capacity.
Note: Some tow trucks may have a single data plate consolidating information for the bed, boom, and wheel lift, rather than individual plates.
A tow truck is granted vehicle certification once it meets all requirements for safety equipment, vehicle maintenance, and has the necessary data plates for the bed, boom, and wheel lift, all in proper working order.
Tow Truck Company Certification: Ensuring Operational Compliance
Tow Truck Motor Carrier Certification Requirements
For a motor carrier to be certified to operate as a tow truck motor carrier, they must ensure that all drivers and vehicles are currently certified and that these certifications are consistently maintained. The motor carrier must submit an application listing all drivers and vehicles, certifying compliance with the following:
- Tow Receipts Compliance: Tow receipts must contain all information required by Utah Administrative Rule R909-19.
- Fee Posting: All fees, including storage, towing, administrative, and fuel surcharge fees, must be conspicuously posted as per Utah Administrative Rule R909-19.
- Insurance Liability Coverage: Carriers must maintain adequate insurance liability:
- $750,000 liability for carriers performing police-generated tows exclusively.
- $1,000,000 liability for carriers performing all types of tows.
- MCS-90 Coverage: In addition to liability insurance, carriers must have an MCS-90 form (environmental restoration coverage) on file at their principal place of business.
- MCS-150 Form Updates: Motor carriers are required to update their MCS-150 form every two years, as per 49 CFR 390.19.
- Vehicle Marking: All vehicles must be marked with the proper company name according to 49 CFR 390.21.
- Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) Fee: Payment of the Unified Carrier Registration fee is mandatory for all years a carrier is registered with the FMCSA as interstate.
- Compliance with Regulations: Full compliance with Utah Administrative Rule R909-19, UCA 41-6a-1406, and UCA 72-9-603 is required.
These compliance reviews are conducted at least biennially. For further inquiries or more detailed information, please contact the Tow Truck Team at 801-965-4892. Ensuring all certifications are in place is crucial for safe and legal tow truck operations, protecting both operators and the public.
Alt: A tow truck securely towing a passenger car, illustrating safe vehicle towing practices.
