Accident Towing in Victoria: What the Law Requires You to Know

Accidents can happen at any time, and the last thing you need to consider is where you will take your vehicle for towing, what the price will be, or, most importantly, whether the operator is legitimate. Victoria has strong regulatory authorities for accident-towing systems, designed to protect roadside drivers while balancing public safety and emergency clearance. This post will unwind the Services Laws, the protection it provides and highlight the fee and other charges and practical steps for motorists who face emergencies and find themselves searching for the right tow.

By knowing your responsibilities, rights and regulations related to towing around Victoria, you can ensure a fair, transparent, and safe process when an emergency or accident occurs.

Rights and Responsibilities after an Accident

The first thing following the accident is to move your vehicle to a safe place to avoid all kinds of hazards on the road. If your vehicle is stuck on the road, it definitely needs to be towed and pay for the service. For instance,

• In Metropolitan areas, including Melbourne and the Mornington Peninsula, the authorities set a standard towing fee, and the drivers aren’t allowed to charge any further amount.
• In Melbourne and Geelong, a tow truck is allocated for the emergency, and the tow truck driver is issued with a job number.
• In regional areas, the severity of the accident and the service needed will be defined by the police, whether the car needs a tow truck or an accident towing service.

Choosing a Towing Destination

In an emergency, you are the one who decides on whom to contact for help, either to have your vehicle towed and to where it needs to transfer your car for repair. If you choose to tow your vehicle, go to the destination less than 125 km away from the accident place. Make sure that the tow truck driver must tow your vehicle to the specified location if the fee is paid upfront.

Furthermore, if your vehicle is towed to a tow truck, confirm whether it is stored in a secure indoor area or outdoors, and clarify the price option in both cases.

Signing the Authority to Tow

Authority to tow is a legal document which sets out:

• The Towing and Salvage costs and services
• The vehicle owner signs this authority to tow.
• If you are unable to sign the particular formality, a police or VicRoads officer will sign the document on your behalf. But the vehicle owner will still pay for the service.

Also read: Towing Scams in Australia: What Every Driver Must Know Before Hitting the Road

Prohibition on Touting for Repairs

Laws strictly prohibit tow truck drivers or any other person from touting for vehicle repairs at the accident scene. This means that the owner doesn’t have to worry about deciding where your vehicle has to be repaired at the time of tow.

Understanding Salvage Operations

Salvage means when a vehicle has to be moved off the road, or to the road-related area (like a footpath, etc.), or into an upright position so that it can be towed by the tow truck.

• The authority form includes all the salvage details and cost.
• Drivers are allowed and required to take photos of the salvage operation
• Copies of those photos could be obtained free of charge from the tow truck driver
• If you suspect any misconduct, complain. Save the receipts and correspondence and contact the VicRoads /Transport or the ESC for formal review and investigation The Act and related regulations require complaint mechanisms.

In Australia, the accident towing industry is regulated particularly by the Accident Towing Services Act 2007 and the Accident Towing Services Regulations 2019, which incorporate the rules and requirements to ensure safe and responsible accident towing in Victoria.

According to the Accident Towing Services Act 2007, a regulated authority is dedicated to abide by the framework for vehicles towed after road collisions. Its aim is to:

1. Protect crash victims: The act builds protections around the victims of the accident, particularly the ones vulnerable to predatory conduct and unfair charges.
2. Regulates the operators: The law ensures that the depots, managers, and drivers must be licensed and accredited before the accident occurs to reduce criminal infiltration.
3. Control allocation and conduct at crash scenes; In regulated areas, including Melbourne, the act predefines and specifies how to allocate tow jobs to avoid any chaos or unfair procedures.
4. Set fee frameworks and storage rules: Rather than leaving the post-accident charges entirely to market forces, the law offers tools for regulators and authorities to determine or conceal certain charges.

Accident Towing Services Regulations 2019

While the core Towing Act of 2007 still stands, there are some important amendments and developments made in the following years. The Accident Towing Services 2019 are the regulations that need to be followed within Victoria, Australia, governing the accident towing industry. These regulations set requirements for accreditation, record keeping, and conduct at accident scenes. These rules are a part of the Accident Towing Services Act 2007, to manage the accident towing services across Victoria, and highlight the obligations for tow truck drivers in the region.

Since the Accident Towing Service Act 2007 and the Towing regulations of 2019, amendments have been made, and authorities are implementing many of the detailed requirements under the Act. Moreover, the Essential Services Commission (ESC) continues to review and update the towing and storage fees under this act and regulations.

Recently, in 2025, the road rule 79A expanded and incorporated accident towing and roadside assistance vehicles along with the fast-passing rules, slowing down the roadside, emergency services and towing work. However, this is a complementary safety regulation which is tied to the towing industry.

Also read: Tow Auctions Vs Regular Car Auctions-Key Differences

Practical Guidelines for Motorists

• If you ever require an accident towing, keep in mind the following steps:
• Stay safe and calm. Move your vehicle safely to the roadside if possible.
• Make informed decisions. Don’t rush into making wrong decisions, and know that touting is illegal.
• The next thing is to check for the credentials and make sure the tow operator is licensed.
• Read and review the authority to tow from carefully
• Know your rights and decide where to move your car.
• Report misconduct by using official complaint channels.

FAQ — Quick Answers

Q: Who enforces the Accident Towing Services Act or laws?

The laws and guidelines are regulated by the law enforcement agencies and supported by the regulators. If required, the Essential Services Commission reviews the fee.

Q: Do I have the option to choose my own tow truck after an accident?

The controlled allocation areas have specific rules that determine which accredited operator to ensure safety and transparency. However, outside those restricted areas, you can show your preference to choose a tow truck, but always follow the legal process.

Q: What if I am not satisfied with the storage or tow fee?

Ask for the bill, copies of the documents, photos and know where to complain with the relevant authority.

About Cheap Tow

Cheap Tow has a simple mission to make towing services affordable, accessible and stress-free for your car. As a trusted towing and roadside assistance across Melbourne and Victoria, Cheap Tow specializes in emergency towing, vehicle safety and ensures customers’ peace of mind. Cheap Tow’s professional 24-hour and 7-day-a-week assistance makes the difference in getting you and your vehicle back on the track.

Cheap Tow prioritizes customer satisfaction, affordability and safety by handling the situation with utmost care. A team of experienced professionals provide efficient and damage-free service every time. For more details and assistance, call us at: +61 470 320 481 or 24/7 Towing Helpline: 0470 320 481 serving Victoria and interstate.