International Trucks

Tow truck drivers are much needed not only within the trucking industry but also in many other areas of employment. A tow truck is a vehicle used to carry disabled motor vehicles of the road after a breakdown or collision. They are also used to impound vehicles which are illegally parked on public roads or private property. Tow trucks are at times called wreckers and there are 3 commonly used types of tow trucks. A hook and chain tow truck is one commonly used when hauling vehicles away after accidents. This tow truck is also known as a sling because a chain is looped around the vehicles body or axle. The reason it is not used as much for breakdowns is because it may damage the bumper of the car it is towing although it is often used for cars with steel bumpers or if it is missing one or two of the front or back tires.

The wheel –lift is basically an upgraded version of the above mentioned tow truck. It has a large metal yoke that can be fitted under the rear or front tires to cradle them. In order for the car to be pulled it is hoisted clear of the ground by a hydraulic hoist. The tow truck most seen it probably the flatbed also known as a rollback. The back of this type tow truck has a bed that can be inclined and lowered to the ground allowing a car to get on it by its own power or be dragged onto it by a winch.

Tow truck drivers are often employed by private businesses although there are many tow truck drivers who are working for other institutions like the road authority who controls certain stretches of highways. There are also other businesses that do employ tow truck drivers for the sole purpose of towing their own vehicles. For example, the various bus companies, police and fire department, all of these own and operate large fleets of vehicles and therefore own their own tow trucks driven by their drivers.

As far as a special license for driving a tow truck, there is none but you do need to have current valid license without any restrictions on it plus a clean record. What you need in addition to become a tow truck driver is a certificate from the TTA. In order to be approved there are several criteria that has to be met. These can vary some from state to state but as long as you can meet the requirements there are nothing standing in your way when applying for a tow truck job.