Do Tow Trucks Have To Follow The Road Rules In NSW?

It is common knowledge that emergency services vehicles are allowed to break road rules that all other cars and vehicles do to save lives. 
When a New South Wales driver sees those flashing lights, they must safely give way to ensure these vehicles can get to their destination on time when every second is critical.

But what about tow trucks?


They attend accidents just like emergency services vehicles and also display flashing lights. Are they allowed to break the road rules to get to the damaged vehicle quickly as well? That is what we will discuss and clarify for you below.

The short answer is no. The clear distinction between emergency services vehicles (ambulance, police and fire) and breakdown assistance vehicles is the type of flashing lights they display.


While emergency services drivers are permitted to run red lights, use their mobile phone and go above the speed limit, breakdown assistance vehicles like tow trucks and emergency mechanic services are not allowed to break these road rules.

For the average driver, knowing which vehicles can breach road rules is essential so you can make smart and safe decisions on the road. For example, if you have a green light at an intersection, you know you must give way to emergency services vehicles if they have their sirens and lights active. 

This also means that you have to give way to emergency services vehicles if they are coming up behind you while you are stuck at a red light. However, it is also a misconception that drivers are allowed to run a red light so that an emergency services vehicle behind them can get through. This is not the case because it will create an unsafe situation and you can be fined and receive demerit points.

If you hear sirens and see blue and red flashing lights, do your best to move to the left to give them room. If you cannot, then it is the responsibility of the emergency vehicle driver to find a way through. They have been trained to deal with these kinds of situations.


Should you see yellow flashing lights, however, you do not have to give way. It is their responsibility to obey road rules, including giving way and stopping at red lights.

There are some more minor rules where tow trucks and breakdown assistance vehicles have leeway. For example, they are allowed to stop on a verge or in an emergency stopping lane to help assist a stricken driver and their vehicle. 


They have a bit more latitude when it comes to where they are allowed to park in the line of duty, like no parking zones, private parking areas and footpaths. What is important to realise is that you must slow down if you see a tow truck or breakdown assistance vehicle on the side of the road with the yellow lights flashing.

The thing about road rules and legislation is they are constantly changing and new laws are added all the time. Motorists need to be vigilant and constantly update their knowledge to ensure they are compliant with NSW road rules and not risking fines or demerit points.

One new road rule in NSW (which also applies in Western Australia, South Australia and Victoria) is that all vehicles must slow down when they are passing emergency services vehicles when they are stationary on the side of the road. This rule came into effect in 2019 so that paramedics, police officers and firefighters can attend to emergency situations unimpeded.

While this might be common sense, what a lot of people don't realise is that this law extends to tow trucks and other breakdown assistance vehicles, as long as they are displaying flashing lights. It is well known that road works and construction zones have speed limits (usually 40km/hr), so if you ever see yellow or amber flashing lights, assume you have to slow down as well.

Drivers must slow down to 40 km/hr on roads with speed limits of 80 km/h or less. The driver is not required to slow down to 40 km/hr on roads with speed limits over 90 km/hr.

If the speed limit is 90km/hr or more, drivers need to: 

• Slow down to a speed that is safe and reasonable under the circumstances.
• Make sure there is enough space between your car and the breakdown assistance vehicle or emergency services vehicle and workers.
• A driver should change lanes if it is safe to do so on a multi-lane road.
• In New South Wales, you can be fined $448 and receive three demerit points if you fail to slow down for any emergency services or breakdown vehicle.
  

 If you need emergency towing services in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and surrounding areas, you can call us at Trade & General Towing on (02) 4960 2475.