Tow truckPortugal

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


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