Tow Truck Drivers Job Description
Tow Truck Drivers, Tow Truck Workers, Roadside Towing with a Truck, Tow Truck Drivers Resume Examples, Clean Criminal Record in Trucking and more about tow truck drivers job. Get more data about tow truck drivers job for your career planning.
Tow Truck Drivers
Tow truck drivers are supposed to remove the vehicle from the road. They need to make sure that the car is securely attached to the tow truck before they can do this. Cars that need towing may be in different situations.
The tow truck driver must find a solution to the situation. They need different equipment tow cars. Sometimes the situation will require the simplest tow truck.
Read also our report on Tower Foreman job guide.
Tow Truck Workers
Tow truck workers are also responsible for other duties, such as recovering and transporting vehicles. Drivers must have a current commercial license, a clean driving record and knowledge of vehicle maintenance and repair. Some employers require certification from a college, technical school or the Towing and Recovery Association of America. The nature of your duties depends on the tow truck you drive.
Roadside Towing with a Truck
Tow trucks are expected to offer emergency roadside towing services when they can't fix things like large repair problems or totaled vehicles. They offer a variety of other towing services. Tow truck drivers must know how to use towing related tools, such as wheel straps, motorcycle straps, safety chains and J hooks, and they must secure vehicles so that they don't suffer damage during transport.
Tow trucks follow up with their dispatch to provide status updates, as well as estimated time of arrivals to vehicles, residences, service stations, and junkyards. A driver completes a variety of paperwork, such as a daily log of tow truck inspection and repair activity, missing or stolen tools reports, travel and mileage logs and a services rendered report. Tow truck drivers usually give their customers an itemized invoice and a handwritten or credit card receipt.
Read our report about Truck Loader career description.
Tow Truck Drivers Resume Examples
Tow Truck Drivers are employed by companies that tow vehicles. Tow Truck Driver resume examples show that there are a lot of work activities that are done. Tow Truck Drivers should be able to emphasize in their resume a clean driving record, the ability to drive tow vehicles, time management, computer competencies, and strong communication skills. A commercial driver's license is required.
Clean Criminal Record in Trucking
A clean criminal record can allow you to work for any trucking company without restriction for hauling certain commodities, cross international borders, obtaining a FAST card, TWIC card, etc.
Don't miss our study on Truck Mechanic career guide.
Tow Truck Operators
Tow truck operators help with accidents. They drive to the scene of an accident or vehicle breakdown, connect the damaged vehicle to the truck, and tow the vehicle back to a service station or junkyard. Tow truck operators may be required to perform minor repairs.
Safety and Security in a Traffic Scene
Safety should be your first priority. You should be able to load and secure the vehicles. You are expected to follow all traffic rules.
Detailed report on Truck Unloader career description.
Tow truck drivers respond to calls for assistance from motorists, facilities or other entities contracted with the tow company to remove vehicles. They load, transport and unload vehicles. Tow truck drivers assess the situation and decide when and how to remove a vehicle from a road.
Tow trucks need large mechanical arms and chains wrapped around the vehicle's frame. The components lift the tires off the ground to pull the vehicle. Tow truck drivers use conventional tow trucks less often because of the damage they can cause.
A wheel lift truck is a full float truck that lifts one of the vehicle's axles off the ground. The wheel lift trucks use a different method of controlling the lift than hooks and chains. The tow truck pulled the vehicle using the two remaining tires.
Tow truck drivers respond to accidents and vehicle breakdown. It is possible to diffuse a frustrating situation for the vehicle owners by being patient and positive. Operators of vehicles over 26,000 pounds must hold a CDL.
Tow truck drivers who do not need a CDL can operate larger trucks and help their resume stand out. Future employers will decide if you can be hired if you have an accident on your driving record. They can look at the severity of the accident and who was at fault.
Training tow truck drivers
There are different regulations for tow truck drivers in the US. You need to pass a number of tests to get into a program. You will be able to operate a tow truck once you pass.
If you don't know what your state calls for, contact the U.S. Department of transportation. They can point you to the laws and guidelines in your state. You must be at least 18 years old to operate a tow truck.
The typical age to begin driving is between 21 and 25. It is not a requirement to have a specific education, but many employees like to see a high school degree or GED. Tow chains and tires are heavy equipment that you should be able to operate.
Can you work in the weather? Can you drive in the elements? What about shoveling out a snowed in car?
Mental and physical strength are required for a tow truck job. If you want to become a tow truck driver, you may have to take a drug test. They are looking to see if you are drug-free since heavy machinery is a central component of the profession.
See also our paper about Tow Truck Operator job guide.
There are three types of tow trucks, the conventional low truck with a hook and sling used to raise one end of the vehicle for towing, wheel-lift or full-float trucks that put an extra set of wheels under one or both axles and flat-bed tow trucks that carry the entire When stuck in a small parking garage, the tower would prefer a conventional low truck over a flat-bed. Tow truck drivers learn how to operate their vehicles.
Many employers prefer to hire high school graduates. An experienced driver is the one who explains the safety procedures and company policies when a new hire starts a towing job. Tow truck driving has become more complicated in recent decades, leading to a need for more organized training programs.
The only national standards for tow truck operators are provided by the TRAA, and they also have a national driver certification program. There are three levels of training. To begin Level I, or Light Duty, training, you must meet all state driving requirements and have at least 90 days experience working on a tow truck.
Tow truck drivers are out in the weather. Dead batteries and car crashes are caused by snow, ice and other bad weather. A driver who doesn't want to go out in the cold will strand people who need help.
Tow truck drivers can get injured if they hook up the vehicle. The odds of getting hurt increase if you add in dangerous traffic conditions, road dangers, or unsafe environments. Tower buildings might be exposed to hazardous materials.
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