How to Get Work as a Tow Truck Driver

Learn how to get work as a tow truck driver.

You love driving, have always driven safely, and want to earn money behind the wheel of a truck. You are also dependable and hardworking, ready to put in long hours, and you're confident driving in all kinds of weather conditions and on weekends and holidays. You are prepared to deal with stressful and difficult situations, and aren't bothered seeing the aftermath of car accidents. If this describes you, then you are ready to start working as a tow truck driver.

Things You'll Need

• Valid driver's license
• Commercial driver's license (CDL)
• Business cards

Instructions

1. Earn a high school diploma or GED. Get a driver's license in the state you want to work in, as this is the minimum requirement to work as a tow truck driver. Make sure you have a clean driving record with no traffic violations or drunken driving offenses, and a clean police record with no felony convictions.

2. Check with local transportation authorities to see if you need a special license in your state. Participate in a CDL course and earn a CDL license. Attend a special tow truck driver training course, such as WreckMaster. Educate yourself about the laws of the county, city and state where you want to work.

3. Look for jobs in the standard places, such as local newspapers, and ask friends and family members. Check with gas stations for the names of local towing companies. Contact your local AAA and other car insurance companies to ask which towing companies they work with. Go online to find more resources for trucking jobs and forums for truckers where you can ask other tow truck drivers for help finding a job.

4. Offer to work as an apprentice to an experienced tow truck driver. Some companies may let you ride along and learn the ropes on the job. You can gain information about the job requirements in addition to valuable work experience. Consider accepting a job with a smaller towing company and working for less pay, just to get the training and experience.

5. Visit local commercial properties and ask the owner who they use to tow illegally parked cars. Make deals with these owners to take care of their towing.

6. Check with your state government about towing illegally parked cars for the state.

7. Meet local emergency workers. Give them your business card and ask them to alert you when they arrive at the scene of a vehicle accident and see that towing is required.

Tips & Warnings

• It helps to have a pleasant personality, since towing requires good customer relations.

• Get insured and bonded in case damage occurs to the vehicle you're towing.

• There is some risk involved in being a tow truck driver--vehicle owners can get extremely angry and even violent when their vehicle is towed due to illegal parking or repossession.

References

• CNN: Confessions of a tow truck driver
• Transportation Crossing: Tow Truck Driver Jobs

Resources

• WreckMaster: Training and Certification for the Towing Industry