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Tow Truck Operator

Tow truck operators drive and operate a truck to tow vehicles that have broken down, been damaged or illegally parked.

 

Tasks & duties

Tow truck operators may do some or all of the following:

  • drive to accidents, breakdowns, illegally parked vehicles or vehicles in need of assistance
  • open locked vehicles and release the park brake
  • attach vehicles to the tow truck or winch vehicles on to the truck
  • jump-start vehicles
  • tow confiscated, stolen, impounded or abandoned vehicles for the Department for Courts, the Police or local councils
  • obtain authority to tow vehicles from the owner, the Police or whoever has asked for them to be towed
  • tow vehicles to panelbeaters, mechanical workshops, vehicle dismantlers or to the towing company yard for impounding
  • use different methods for freeing trapped vehicles and securing them for towing
  • keep records of vehicles that have been towed
  • maintain and clean the tow truck
  • deal with customers and take payments

 

Skills & knowledge

Tow truck operators need to have:

  • the ability to operate a tow truck and tow vehicles safely, including vehicles carrying hazardous substances
  • an understanding of the locking mechanisms of different types of vehicles
  • knowledge of which vehicles can be towed and which need to be winched on to the tow truck to avoid transmission damage
  • basic mechanical skills for fixing minor mechanical problems on the spot
  • communication and people skills
  • problem-solving skills
  • record-keeping skills
  • knowledge of their local area and the ability to read maps

If tow truck operators tow or recover heavy vehicles and trucks, they need to know about Transit New Zealand's overweight vehicle policy; Land Transport New Zealand's over-dimension vehicle policy and the permits used by these authorities.

 

Entry requirements

To become a tow truck operator you need to have a Heavy Trade (HT) licence and a vehicle recovery licence. You also need to have police clearance and pass a map-reading course.

A dangerous goods endorsement is required if moving vehicles that carry hazardous substances. For further information on driver licensing contact Land Transport New Zealand.

 

Secondary education

There are no specific secondary education requirements, but a good standard of English is important.

 

Training on the job

Training is done on the job. New tow truck operators usually work with an experienced person until they are able to work on their own.

 

Useful experience

Useful experience for tow truck operators includes:

  • driving experience
  • working with vehicles
  • working as a truck driver’s assistant
  • working in warehouses or stores
  • working with cranes or fork-lifts
  • customer service experience

 

For more information, please refer to Career Services.

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