Towing and Vehicle Recovery – AMTA – Professional Truck and Bus Driving Careers

Towing and recovery is the industry responsible for moving broken-down vehicles, recovering vehicles from ditches, and hauling away vehicles after collisions. Drivers in this sector operate specialized vehicles—tow trucks and heavy wreckers—anywhere they’re needed to keep highways open and ditches clear.

Those who provide towing and vehicle recovery services operate a variety of tow trucks and wreckers in both urban and rural settings. Every tow is new, and drivers with careers in this sector face different challenges each shift.

Seasonality

Method of Pay

Equipment and Tasks

Drivers in this sector will see a variety of vehicles and tasks, which are both influenced by the region in which they work.

Equipment

Tasks

Drivers can expect to perform common driving-specific tasks like city and highway driving, pre-and post-trip vehicle inspections, cargo securement, and customer service-related responsibilities. There are many towing-specific tasks drivers will have to perform, including operating tow trucks and wreckers, boosting vehicles, unlocking vehicles, changing tires, and assessing complicated recoveries.

Lifestyle in the Industry

Drivers in this sector enjoy working close to home, but they also put in long hours and work at all times of the day and night.

Work Shifts

Physical Demands

Work/Life Balance

Predictability

On-Call

Unionization

Getting Started

Drivers are often in demand, and applying for such a position is generally straightforward and often online. Smaller employers may prefer a more direct approach, such as applying in person. Onboarding includes the regular pre-hire safety checks that are common in other trucking positions and should include training and mentorship to ease the new hire into their role.

However, insurance requirements make it difficult for many employers to take on inexperienced drivers, especially in heavy wreckers. Drivers may have to apply to several different employers to get a sense of the job market at the time of application.

Drivers may also be able to start in a labour position if the employer is large enough to have such positions. Then, they could signal their interest in driving and may receive greater consideration from their employer than other external applicants.

Mandatory
Requirements

The right class of licence for the specific vehicle is needed, which could be a Class 5 for smaller tow trucks or a Class 1 for heavy wreckers. Drug and alcohol testing, criminal record checks with vulnerable sector, and physical demands analyses are also often required. Cross border drivers will have to be at least 21 years old to drive commercially in the USA, be compliant with the USA’s drug and alcohol testing requirements, and be legally able to enter the USA and Canada (including compliance with any public health requirements from either country). US work may be a requirement, as some companies are willing to send their drivers and equipment anywhere they’re needed.

Preferred Skills &
Previous Experience

Basic mechanical knowledge and an understanding of vehicles are assets, along with previous driving experience. Current tow truck drivers with a Class 5 licence should consider getting their Class 1 and working on heavier vehicles; their previous towing experience will be of great value.

Red Flags

There are many hazards present in the towing and vehicle recovery industry. Since this work is done when collisions occur, when vehicles leave the road, or when vehicles break down, the specific sites are generally varied and unpredictable. In addition, drivers face hazards related to working alone in remote areas or from traffic when working along busy roadways. Those interested in starting a career in towing services and vehicle recovery should be on the lookout for these potential red flags (aka signs that an employer may not be operating safely):

Equipment and vehicles that are in poor condition.
Being pressured to become an owner-operator early into one’s career or any other signs of employee misclassification.
A lack of safety training and supervision, especially when new.
No training in commercial driving rules, like hours of service and vehicle inspections, and being asked to record work time as off-duty time to maximize driving hours.
A lack of support from the employer when at different sites.
A lack of safety protections regarding working alone and traffic control.
Drivers in this sector work alongside first responders at collisions and may be exposed to disturbing scenes involving serious injuries and fatalities; mental health support is an important part of an employer’s safety program.

Quick Facts:

Tow truck is a term that generally refers to lighter trucks used to tow cars, vans, and pickup trucks.
Wrecker refers to much larger tow trucks that are capable of towing heavy vehicles like tractor-trailers, winch them out of ditches, and lift them back onto their wheels after a rollover.
Tow truck drivers have great opportunities to learn new vehicle types. Those who can operate heavy wreckers are valuable and in short supply.
Towing and recovery is a high-hazard occupation; finding a safe, supporting employer is key.

More Help

Are you interested in learning more about working safely in transportation? Check out our Resources page for insights from industry experts and organizations. We’ve taken great care to present information relevant to those interested in truck and bus driving careers, those already employed in trucking or busing, and employers navigating labour challenges.

Our Resources

Contact Information

If you have questions or want to learn more about the content of this website, please contact the Alberta Motor Transport Association (AMTA). AMTA employs experts in trucking and busing across Alberta. We would be happy to help you further.