Oregon Tow Truck Requirements
Whether it is a stalled vehicle on Interstate 5 at rush hour or an accident near rural Wallowa Lake, Oregon offers many opportunities for an enterprising tow truck driver. However, before you start your business, and before you begin to advertise towing services, be sure you have complied with Oregon's tow truck requirements.
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License Plates
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Your tow truck must have special license plates that have a "TW" prefix. These plates are issued from the Department of Motor Vehicle office in Salem. To receive your license plates, you must pay a registration fee that depends on the weight of your vehicle. For example, a truck weighing less than 8,000 pounds would pay $43 for registration, while a truck weighing between 8,001 and 10,000 pounds would pay $102 as of May 2010.
Towing Registration
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In addition to your tow truck's vehicle registration, you must get a separate towing registration from either the Department of Motor Vehicles or the Motor Carrier Transport Division. In general, if your tow truck's combined weight (the empty weight of the truck plus the weight of the load) is 26,000 pounds or less, it must register with the Department of Motor Vehicles. Regardless of vehicle weight, this certificate costs $17 as of May 2010.
If your tow truck's combined weight is 26,001 pounds or more, you must register with the Motor Carrier Transport Division. However, if you wish to register on a pro-rated basis (rather than for the entire year) you must register with the Motor Carrier Transport Division, as the DMV is not able to supply pro-rated registrations. If you register with the Motor Carrier Transport Division, you will receive additional license plates, which you must display on your vehicle, according to the Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles.
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Certificate
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Oregon law requires that you have a Tow Vehicle Business Certificate before you begin towing and before you advertise your towing services on radio, television or through signage. This business certificate is valid for the same length of time as your vehicle registration, and you will receive a combined towing business/vehicle registration card.
Insurance
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Unlike private motor vehicles, tow trucks must have more than standard liability insurance to operate legally. (See ORS 825.) You must also carry $50,000 in cargo insurance coverage unless you only tow vehicles that you own, according to the Oregon DMV's Title and Registration Handbook.
Emissions
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If you plan to provide towing services in the Portland metropolitan area or in Jackson County, your tow truck must pass emissions tests. This does not apply to pro-rated vehicles, according to the DMV Title and Registration Handbook.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit towing truck image by Aleksandr Ugorenkov from Fotolia.com
