If you are involved in a crash,
Stopping at a crash scene is a legal requirement for all involved drivers to ensure safety and compliance.
If a crash renders a vehicle undrivable,
Immediate police reporting is required if a crash renders a vehicle undrivable and needs professional towing.
If crash participants fail to exchange information,
Failing to exchange driver information after a crash necessitates immediate police notification.
If a crash results in death or injury,
Crashes involving death or injury require immediate police reporting due to their serious nature.
If a crash cannot be reported immediately,
All crashes not immediately reported must still be reported to the police within one day.
At a crash scene, only an accredited tow truck driver
Specific regulations ensure only licensed tow truck operators can solicit towing services at crash sites.
An approaching tow truck driver must
Tow truck drivers are legally obligated to present their certification to you, even if not requested.
If your vehicle needs towing from a crash,
A signed towing authority form is legally required before your vehicle can be moved from a crash scene.
Before signing a towing authority form,
Verify all details, including costs and destination, are filled out on the towing authority form before signing.
If you cannot sign the towing authority form,
If you are unable to sign, a police or authorized Department of Transport and Main Roads officer can sign on your behalf.
If an authorized officer signs for your vehicle’s tow, the tow truck licence holder
When an authorized officer signs the towing authority, the tow truck operator has seven days to notify the department of the vehicle’s location.
A tow truck licence holder
Tow truck operators are legally restricted to charging no more than the set regulated fee for standard towing services.
If your vehicle has insurance
Your comprehensive insurance policy might include coverage for towing your vehicle from a crash site; confirm with your insurer.
If your vehicle has minor damage and is still drivable,
For minor crashes where your vehicle can still be driven or other arrangements are possible, you can decline to sign the towing authority.
A tow truck driver must not
Tow truck personnel are legally prohibited from engaging in threatening, intimidating, harassing, insulting, or abusive behavior towards you.
If your vehicle starts to fail on a motorway,
It’s safer to stop in a lower-speed area than to remain on a high-speed road during a breakdown.
If you can’t exit the motorway,
This reduces the risk of collision with passing vehicles.
If you’ve broken down, turn on your hazard lights
These lights make your vehicle more visible to other drivers, especially in poor visibility.
If safe, turn your wheels away from traffic
Turning wheels and raising the bonnet signal a breakdown and minimize risks if hit.
If it’s safe to exit, leave through the passenger side
This keeps you out of the traffic lane and protects you from fast-moving vehicles.
If it’s unsafe to exit, stay in the vehicle
Seatbelts can protect you in the event another vehicle collides with yours.
If your vehicle breaks down,
Staying with your vehicle and sharing accurate location helps responders reach you faster.
If you can’t call and it’s unsafe to walk, then
Walking along a motorway is dangerous—it’s best to stay inside the vehicle for safety.
If you see another vehicle broken down, you must
This creates a safer space for anyone near the broken-down vehicle.
If a broken-down car is in a dangerous spot then
Reporting helps authorities respond quickly to prevent further accidents.