Tow truck

What is a tow truck?

A tow truck is:

a heavy vehicle that is equipped with a crane, winch, ramp or other lifting device and used or intended to be used for the towing of motor vehicles or
a heavy vehicle which is attached, temporarily or otherwise, to a trailer or device that is equipped with a crane, winch, ramp or other lifting device and used or intended to be used for the towing of motor vehicles.

Class 3 - Tow Truck

Do I need a Class 3 Tow Truck permit?

Apply for this permit if your tow truck does not comply with the prescribed mass or dimension requirements or a gazette notice. Notices can be found on the national notices and state notices pages.

How do I apply for a tow truck permit?

Check you are applying to the correct authority. The NHVR processes all Class 3 heavy tow truck permit applications for travel within and between the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria through .
For travel within the Northern Territory and Western Australia, you need to apply directly to the relevant state or territory road transport authority.
Prepare your application. Complete all requested details and submit it through the appropriate channel.

Learn more about our application process

When applying for a tow truck permit, the following documentation should be included: a weighbridge docket showing the mass of the steer and drive axle separately and the manufacturer’s rating letter.

Tow truck vehicle operators

What vehicles and loads are covered?

This information is specific to the operation of tow trucks exceeding prescribed mass or dimensions in the following circumstances:

When tow truck is travelling unladen;
Towing between depots/premises;
Towing accident damaged and disabled heavy vehicles to place of repair or storage;
Towing accident damaged and disabled heavy vehicles to clear an accident site.

All mass limits are the maximum allowable and are subject to axle spacing & tyre size requirements. All manufacturers’ ratings must not be exceeded.

New South Wales

In New South Wales, access is provided with the following features:

All NSW State Classified roads.
Restricted to approved routes for towed vehicle.
Subject to relevant Class 1 Notice conditions with some exemptions from travel restrictions and curfews.
Maximum laden dimensions:
- Width – 3.5m
- Height – 4.6m
- Length – 50m

**Table 1:** New South Wales maximum tow truck axle masses
Axle	Circumstance
Axle	A	B	C	D
Steer axle	7.5t	7.5t	7.5t	7.5t
Twinsteer (load sharing)	13.0t	13.0t	13.0t	13.0t
Single drive	9.0t	10.0t	10.0t	10.0t
Tandem drive	16.5t	20.0t	22.0t	>22t
Triaxle drive	20.0t	27.0t	27.0t	27.0t

More information can be found at Heavy tow trucks | Transport for NSW.

Queensland

The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) in collaboration with industry and the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR), has developed the Queensland Class 4 tow truck permit-based scheme.

South Australia

In South Australia, access is provided with the following features:

Network access depends on length of the combination including the tow truck.
Additional access is available for emergency towing.
Travel time restrictions in Adelaide Metropolitan Area.
Restricted structures.
Maximum dimensions:
- Width – 3.0m for towing between premises or approved width of towed vehicle when towing accident damaged or disabled vehicles
- Height – 4.6m
- Length – 26m towing single vehicle, 32m towing buses, 50m for emergency towing.
Pilot/escort and signage requirements apply.

**Table 3:** South Australia maximum tow truck axle masses
Axle	Circumstance
Axle	A	B	C	D
Steer axle	7.0t	7.0t	7.0t	7.0t
Twinsteer (load sharing)	11.0t	12.0t	12.0t	12.0t
Single drive	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Tandem drive	16.5t	21.0t	23.0t	23.0t
Triaxle drive	20.0t	27.0t	27.0t	27.0t

More information can be found at Heavy tow trucks | South Australia Government.

Victoria

In Victoria, access is provided with the following features:

Access to both state and local roads
Restricted to approved routes for towed vehicle.
Travel time restriction exemptions when recovering a damaged/disabled heavy vehicle/combination.
Maximum laden dimensions:
- Width – 3.0m
- Height – 4.6m
- Length – 26m, 32m towing articulated buses, 39m for emergency towing.
Pilot/escort and signage requirements apply.

**Table 4:** Victoria maximum tow truck axle masses
Axle	Circumstance
Axle	A	B	C	D
Steer axle	7.0t	7.0t	7.0t	7.0t
Twinsteer (load sharing)	11.0t	11.0t	11.0t	11.0t
Single drive	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Tandem drive	16.5t	18.5t	18.5t	21.0t
Triaxle drive	20.0t	21.0t	21.0t	24.5t

More information can be found at Heavy tow trucks operators | Transport Victoria.

Submit my application

Need help? Contact us for specialist guidance and assistance.

Online application

Post or fax application

Please note: If you apply through post or fax, all correspondence relating to that application will be done through the same channel.

We do not accept email applications.

Road Access