Tow truckIreland

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of Ireland. Learn about driving, road safety and much more in our illustrated book, with answers to frequently asked questions.

For informational purposes only. Always follow official regulations. Some content and images were created with AI assistance.


66. Tow truck

A tow truck is a specialised vehicle used to recover, tow, lift or transport vehicles that are broken down, damaged, incorrectly parked or otherwise unable to continue their journey normally. Tow trucks may use lifting equipment, a winch, wheel-lift equipment or a loading platform.

Because vehicle recovery can take place beside moving traffic, tow trucks commonly use warning lights and other safety equipment while working. Drivers approaching a recovery operation should reduce speed where necessary, leave sufficient space and follow any temporary traffic control or instructions from authorised personnel.

A tow truck removes an illegally parked vehicle. (Moscow, Russia)
Wikimedia.org • Stolbovsky • CC BY-SA
What is a tow truck?

A tow truck is a specialised vehicle designed to recover, tow, lift or transport vehicles that are disabled, damaged or otherwise need to be removed.

🔗 wegcode.be • Belgium, Technical Requirements Decree of 15 March 1968, Article 1, recovery vehicle classification; national example

🔗 wetten.overheid.nl • Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, Article 34, priority-vehicle exemptions; international framework subject to national law

🔗 gov.uk • Great Britain Highway Code, Rule 219, emergency and incident support lights; national guidance example

How can a tow truck move another vehicle?

Tow trucks may use a wheel lift, lifting arm, winch, towing equipment or loading platform. The recovery method depends on the type and condition of the vehicle being moved.

🔗 jerrdan.com • Jerr-Dan, recovery carriers and equipment

🔗 jerrdan.com • Jerr-Dan, recovery boom and wheel-lift wreckers

Do flashing lights give a tow truck emergency-vehicle priority?

Not necessarily. Warning lights used for vehicle recovery usually indicate a hazard rather than giving the tow truck the same legal priority as a police car, ambulance or fire vehicle.

🔗 wegcode.be • Belgium, Technical Requirements Decree of 15 March 1968, Article 1, recovery vehicle classification; national example

🔗 wetten.overheid.nl • Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, Article 34, priority-vehicle exemptions; international framework subject to national law

🔗 gov.uk • Great Britain Highway Code, Rule 219, emergency and incident support lights; national guidance example

1 Ireland 2 Motorway 3 Residential area 4 Zone 5 Speed limit 6 Bike path 7 Pedestrian warning 8 Bridge 9 Speed bump 10 Toll road 11 Quay 12 Slope 13 Bus lane 14 Stop sign 15 Give way 16 Roundabout 17 Road narrowing 18 Pedestrian crossing 19 Railway crossing 20 Turn prohibition 21 School area 22 Crossing animals 23 Slippery road 24 Curve 25 Chevron 26 Wrong-way driving 27 Height limit 28 Weight limit 29 Radar speed sign 30 Priority at the next junction 31 Traffic lights warning 32 Pedestrian lights 33 Left-hand traffic 34 Driving licence 35 End of restriction 36 Parking 37 No parking 38 Reversing 39 U-turn 40 Hostel 41 Tourist attraction 42 Licence plate 43 Dangers 44 Cyclist 45 Bus 46 Police 47 Ambulance 48 Taxi 49 European emission standard 50 Pothole 51 Path 52 Particulates 53 Air pollution 54 Rush hour 55 Road code 56 2+2 Road 57 Street gutter 58 Cargo bike 59 Forestry vehicle 60 Construction vehicle 61 Semi-trailer truck 62 Trolleybus 63 Speed pedelec 64 Delivery vehicle 65 Idling 66 Tow truck 67 Four-wheel drive 68 Bicycle 69 Motorcycle equipment 70 Tram 71 Rail track 72 Caravan 73 Trailer 74 Tow hitch 75 Fire truck 76 Siren 77 Convoy 78 Emergency vehicle lighting 79 Agricultural machinery 80 Electric bicycle 81 Electric vehicle 82 Pedelec 83 Quadricycle 84 Microcar 85 All-terrain vehicle 86 Van 87 Recreational vehicle 88 Scooter 89 Trikke 90 Personal mobility device 91 Skateboard 92 Segway 93 Kick scooter 94 Roller skates 95 Mailman 96 Hitchhiker 97 Toddler 98 Child 99 Disability 100 Motorail ...