Do you need a Tow Truck Driver Certificate?

Depending on the state your business works or resides in, your team members may need additional certification.  Of course, all employees that operate motor vehicles must be licensed, but what special types of certification do they need?  In some states, your employees may be required to have a Tow Truck Driver Certificate, too.

Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)

Most businesses know if their drivers need to have CDL licenses.  The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires a person to have a CDL if the vehicle operated meets any of these criteria:

1. The gross combined weight and GCWR exceed 26,001 pounds, while the vehicle alone accounts for over 10,000 pounds.
2. The vehicle’s weight exceeds 26,001 pounds but will not pull any cargo over 10,001 pounds.
3. The vehicle is designed to hold over 15 passengers plus the driver.
4. The vehicle transfers hazardous materials.

Some states go beyond the requirements of the FMCSA and require tow truck drivers to have a CDL regardless of the type of vehicle they are operating.

What about a special Tow Truck Driver Certificate?

If you’re operating in California you need to be aware of this additional requirement.  In most cases, tow truck drivers in California will need to have a Class A or Class B CDL.  However, the driver must also have a valid Tow Truck Driver Certificate.  

California Vehicle Code Section 12520(a):

No person employed as a Tow Truck Driver, as defined in Section 2430.1, shall operate a tow truck unless that person has in his or her immediate possession, a valid California Driver License of an appropriate class for the vehicle to be driven, and a tow truck driver certificate issued by the Department or a temporary tow truck driver certificate issued by the Department of the California Highway Patrol, to permit the operation of a tow truck.

This certification holds them to a higher standard as a professional driver and emergency responder.  It also gives the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) more authority to refuse, suspend, or revoke the driver’s certificate and ability to operate a towing vehicle.  

If a person receives notice from the DMV that they will be refusing, suspending, or revoking the certificate, the driver must contact a Driver Safety Office (DSO) within ten days.  The DSO is different than the DMV–they are large regional offices located around the state.  The driver can appeal the decision at the DSO, but if they fail to make contact in the ten-day window they will lose their rights to a hearing and the decision becomes automatic.

How can Collins Manufacturing help?

We have a history of working with our customer companies to help them achieve success.  While you’re focused on running your business, allow our pros at Collins Manufacturing to introduce you to top-of-the-line towing equipment your employees and customers will love.  Our Collins Manufacturing’s Hi-SpeedⓇ Dolly and Carrier Dolly systems are easy, safe to operate, light to transport, and durable to handle the toughest towing jobs.  By providing our towing solutions for your employees, you’ll make their lives easier and see their job satisfaction grow.

Collins has been an industry leader in towing equipment for over 45 years.  Our Hi-SpeedⓇ Dolly and Carrier Dolly systems provide towing professionals with lightweight solutions durable enough to get even large vehicles out of challenging situations and transport them safely wherever they need to go.  Our products are designed with safety first to keep your employees safe while attaching and moving vehicles.  Visit our website or give us a call to learn more about our products.