Tow Truck Driver
733115 · Medium Career data Close match
Heavy truck drivers drive large trucks or truck and trailer units to transport goods and materials.
Most common salary $69k – $102k
Upper salary up to $116k
Training 0-1 year
Matched as "Heavy truck driver"
Description
Drives a tow truck, requiring a specially endorsed class of licence, to transport broken-down motor vehicles.
Typical work tasks
- Travels to scene of accident, illegal parking or other situation requiring towing; attaches towing equipment to vehicle or winches vehicle onto tilt-deck winch- truck; tows vehicle to depot or other location; carries out winching and heavy salvage; maintains and repairs equipment; keeps records.
Typical work environment
- Works outdoors at vehicle recovery sites when loading vehicles or unloading them at delivery locations. Works indoors in a tow truck cab when driving.
- Works in all weather and all traffic conditions.
- Vehicle recovery sites may be wet, messy and hazardous.
Typical physical and mental demands
- Medium physical demand
- Stands occasionally at vehicle recovery sites when loading vehicles and walks about the recovery area.
- Driving of tow trucks and operation of hoists and/or winches is frequent to constant.
- Sits for frequent periods while driving to and from recovery sites and while waiting for towing work.
- Uses upper limbs and body to stretch down and across to attach towing equipment and free any obstructions preventing vehicles from being towed.
- Bends frequently when attaching mechanisms such as hoists.
- Frequently twists body or neck when carrying out required tasks.
- Occasionally squats, crouches or kneels in order to carry out recovery tasks.
- Occasionally lifts and carries and pushes or pulls to secure tow rope and get vehicle into towing condition.
- Frequent repetitive hand and arm movements are required when driving and operating lifting mechanisms.
- Occasionally uses a range of hand equipment such as shackles and ropes and possibly hammers or other tools occasionally to free running equipment on recovered vehicle.
- Significant contact with water or skin irritants does not occur.
- Mental skills necessary include practical, technical, driving and mechanical skills.
Entry signal Reviewed
Enter via a short course or licence (days to weeks). A licence or registration is legally required.
Entry barrier Short course or licence
Licence / registration Licence/registration required
ANZSCO skill level 4
Next-day ready No
How this was determined (model-generated): Tow truck driver realistically needs Class 2+ heavy licence as core operating ticket. Proposal defensible; snippet thin so lower confidence.
Entry Requirements
- A New Zealand Register Level 2 or 3 qualification or at least one year of relevant experience (ANZSCO Skill Level 4). In some instances relevant experience may be required in addition to the formal qualification. For entry-level positions on-the-job training may be sufficient.
- Registration or licensing is required.
Further Comments
- There are opportunities for flexibility of movement but they are limited.
- Shift or on-call work is common.