Tow truckIndia

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of India. 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.


39. 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 India 2 Speed limit 3 Toll road 4 Bus stop 5 Stop sign 6 Roundabout 7 Pedestrian crossing 8 Railway crossing 9 School area 10 Crossing animals 11 Curve 12 Roadworks 13 Priority at the next junction 14 Traffic lights 15 Driving licence 16 Traffic mirror 17 No stopping 18 Reversing 19 Licence plate 20 Charging station 21 Bus 22 Police 23 Ambulance 24 Pothole 25 Path 26 Particulates 27 Air pollution 28 Rush hour 29 Road code 30 Street gutter 31 Cargo bike 32 Forestry vehicle 33 Construction vehicle 34 Semi-trailer truck 35 Trolleybus 36 Speed pedelec 37 Delivery vehicle 38 Idling 39 Tow truck 40 Four-wheel drive 41 Bicycle 42 Motorcycle equipment 43 Rail track 44 Caravan 45 Trailer 46 Tow hitch 47 Fire truck 48 Siren 49 Convoy 50 Emergency vehicle lighting 51 Agricultural machinery 52 Electric bicycle 53 Electric vehicle 54 Pedelec 55 Quadricycle 56 Microcar 57 All-terrain vehicle 58 Van 59 Recreational vehicle 60 Scooter 61 Trikke 62 Personal mobility device 63 Skateboard 64 Segway 65 Kick scooter 66 Roller skates 67 Mailman 68 Hitchhiker 69 Toddler 70 Child 71 Disability 72 Handcart 73 Motorail 74 km/h 75 mph 76 Speedometer 77 Ride height 78 Dirt road 79 Driving 80 Start-stop system 81 Manual transmission 82 Automatic transmission 83 Throttle 84 Tachometer 85 Steering wheel 86 Power steering 87 Visual scanning 88 Mirror 89 Fuel 90 Fuel gauge 91 Petrol 92 Diesel 93 Diesel exhaust fluid 94 Car insurance 95 First aid kit 96 Fire extinguisher 97 High-visibility clothing 98 First aid 99 Concrete step barrier 100 Barriers ...