There are three types of tow truck driver jobs: picking up disabled vehicles, removing vehicles without a driver and vehicle delivery. Most tow truck drivers are independent operators. He or she has purchased a tow truck and signs a contract with a tow truck company to use a dispatch service. Clients call a central number, and the job location is assigned to a driver based on his or her current location. Payment is based on the work completed, which provides motivation to perform the different tow truck driver jobs as quickly as possible.
A tow truck driver provides an essential service for motorists. The tow truck is a large truck with a hoist in the back that is used to move vehicles without a driver. The vehicles moved with the tow truck can range from big buses to small cars. The size of the tow truck determines the size of vehicle that can be transported.
A valid tow truck driver's license is required in some states to qualify for tow truck driver jobs. The bare minimum is a valid driver's license, a tow truck and a short band radio to receive communications from the dispatch office. Tow truck companies that have contracts with police departments or property management companies might require all drivers to provide a criminal background check and to have a clean driving record, but this requirement varies throughout the industry.
A tow truck driver is required to pick up disabled vehicles and relocate them. The vehicle could have been involved in an accident or might have experienced a mechanical breakdown. The tow truck lifts the front or rear of the vehicle off the ground, the operator puts the car into neutral, and the tow truck pulls the car to a new location. The cost of this service depends upon the location, timing and the distance traveled.
Vehicles that are illegally parked, abandoned or involved in a crime must be towed to a police-operated or secured lot. Tow truck companies typically bid for this type of work, because it is quite lucrative and provides a steady revenue stream. There is a great deal of variety in the tow truck driver jobs available from this source, and they require different models of tow trucks.
A tow truck also can be used to deliver new or used vehicles. In most circumstances, a flat-bed truck is used in order to minimize the risk of damage to the vehicle. These types of tow truck driver jobs can be scheduled in advance, leaving time for the more lucrative emergency calls.
