Damaged, abandoned, or illegally parked vehicles are hauled away from roads and parking lots a tow truck driver. He or she drives a specialized truck with a mechanism that allows him or her to lift and pull other vehicles. Major aspects of the job include public safety, efficiency, and communication, and drivers are usually required to keep meticulous logs of their daily work and interactions with car owners. Private towing and impound companies, automobile service stations, salvage yards, and car dealerships employ the majority of professional tow truck drivers.
Many private businesses and parking enforcement agencies have a contract with one or more towing companies to provide on-demand services. A business owner can hire a tow truck driver to remove a car that has been left unattended or abandoned in a parking structure for an extended period of time. If parking enforcement officials or police officers recommend it, automobiles parked in illegal zones on the street may be towed. Tow truck drivers record the cars they bring in, contact the owners, and explain why their vehicles were towed at an impound lot. Customers are frequently dealt with in person to collect impound fees and return vehicles to their owners.
If a person becomes stranded on the road, a tow truck driver from a service station, dealership, or insurance company may be called. The driver will inspect the vehicle and, if necessary, make minor repairs to get it back in working order. If the car cannot be repaired, the driver takes it to a service station with the owner for more detailed work. A tow truck driver rushes to the scene of a particularly bad accident involving one or more cars to clear the roadway. After that, the wrecked vehicles are taken to police evidence lots or salvage yards.
To become a tow truck driver, there are usually no strict educational or training requirements. Jobs at towing companies, salvage yards, and service stations are available to anyone with a high school diploma and a standard driver’s license. Most new employees are trained on the job other drivers, who accompany them on jobs to learn about the various equipment and techniques used in the industry. Some companies provide new drivers with up to 40 hours of classroom training to familiarize them with the laws and corporate policies. Although specialized certification is not usually required, some people choose to improve their credentials taking written exams offered national associations.