A tow truck is a type of vehicle that is used to transport large or disabled vehicles. But Is Being A Tow Truck Driver A Good Job? It is also sometimes called an “auto wrecker.” Tow truck drivers are responsible for moving these cars by hooking them up to the back of their trucks and pulling them with a cable.
The driver is usually paid per hour, is expected to work long hours, and is often required to be on call for emergencies at all times. Is being a tow truck driver a good job?
Benefits of Being a Tow Truck Driver
- You will always have a job
- You can work as much or as little as you choose
- You get to meet new people every day
- There is no dress code, so you can wear whatever you want to work
- The pay is good and the hours are flexible
- It’s an adrenaline-filled job that allows for personal growth and development
Problems of Being a Tow Truck Driver
- The hours are long – sometimes up to 12 hours
- Driving in the dark is scary
- It’s hard to get a good night’s sleep when you’re working 16-hour shifts
- You never know what kind of people will be on the roads at any given time (drunk, reckless drivers)
- Your job can put your life in danger every day you work
Is It Possible For A Tow Truck To Move One Car To Reach Another?
Yes. But it’s a dangerous maneuver. In some common road configurations, the tow truck would either have to be on the side of a curb or nearest lane that was not used by other traffic.
If there was another car in those lanes, the tow truck operator would have no way to avoid collisions with them as he went around back and forth from one car to the next. It is safer for both cars if you reverse maneuvers and make a 3-point turn instead of using a left turn at an intersection to do surgery on both cars going forward.
The driver of your second car must make sure they are following all instructions very closely and move quickly once free from their position. Otherwise, they will most likely get rear-ended by traffic.
Few Facts You Need To Know About Tow Truck Drivers Life
The tow truck driver is an intriguing career option for people who want to make more than the average Canadian. Though I don’t think most kids grow up wanting this job, it’s possible if we’re fair, then you’ll read several things that could change your mind about them.
Such as how much they earn on average in Canada and what kind of benefits come with working there- like Health care coverage? One of the tow truck drivers on our list once got whacked in the face with a baseball bat. But his co-worker was shot at, so I suppose perhaps this person was just counting themselves lucky.
I mean, come on! Lucky means you only get beat up with bats? That sounds more miserable than anything else. Maybe if an accident didn’t happen where someone gets hurt or killed, then maybe they would have some kind words to say, but as it stands, all these accidents are happening left, right, and center, which is a big no-no for me.
So is being a tow truck driver a good job? That’s up to you! I’m not trying to be negative, but it just seems like there is way too much risk involved when all the other jobs out there are looking very promising with great benefits and whatnot. A lot of people enjoy this particular job is all I am saying.
There is no shortage of ways to make a tow truck driver’s life difficult. Here are some little tricks and tips they’ve used in the past, so you’ll know how not to do it again if needed! You can also save some money by following these ideas as well:
Tow Truck Drivers Can Lie To Get An Address
When a tow truck driver comes to take your car, one of the most important things they need is an address so that they can find you and the vehicle. But not all addresses are created equal- some may be more honest than others!
“They might have someone call up pretending like he’s won tickets or something similar just for directions on where we should send him,” said this former worker at local businesses who doubles as their own boss from time to time. Sounds kind of suspicious, doesn’t it?
In order to deliver court-ordered papers, they disguise themselves in various ways, such as dressing differently than they normally would. It is therefore important to be wary of people who are out in the streets when you don’t expect it!
“He is an unlicensed tow truck driver, which is basically what you’d call a freelancer,” said this woman was surprised at her own son’s job choice- he is always so responsive and has never been in any legal trouble!
Tow Truck Drivers Can Get In Serious Altercations
A tow truck driver is a hard-working pawn in the business world. They have to deal with everything from angry customers, dangerous scenarios, and even gunshots on occasion!
That said, it can be incredibly scary being an employee for these companies because you never know what will happen next – especially if someone doesn’t like your shirt or where they think we stand during our shift (get off my lawn!).
A former coworker of mine was shot right behind us after walking up asking questions about getting his car fixed; another guy had been sucker-punched by some nobody while sitting at lunch all alone one day thanks entirely too many beers later on!
Tow Truck Drivers Sometimes Leave Illegal Cars As A Trap
If you’ve ever been towed in the wrong place, then this article is for you. It can be tempting to park illegally when there are other cars close by, and if they happen not to have license plates on them either because sometimes tow truck drivers wait until after hours or before work time so that they will catch more people than usual.
What many may not know about “the game,” however (accordingly referring back)is how it’s played; it had since changed over years ago when I first started working as one myself-but. Let me tell ya; things were much simpler then!
More bait means fewer hooks which makes fishing easier but also means fewer fish caught overall: You want all your options open possible is what I mean.
If the tow truck is not there yet, it is possible to be towed illegally, which is why you should make an effort to find out where your car is within a few hours of being towed, if only just for peace of mind! If they are already on their way, then let them take whatever car is closest first because that is what is most important to them at the end of the day- it’s all about getting paid.
Tow Truck Drivers Have To Give An Estimate For The Costs
You are probably already feeling frustrated, anxious about the potential costs that are associated with getting your car towed. But in Canada, there are rules implemented to help make this process less frustrating for drivers like you!
There’s no need to panic- if a Police Officer or someone else eyewitnesses an illegally parked vehicle* they can order them relocated within 24 hours at most without incurring additional fees unless it is currently registered as abandoned** And even then, only after 20 days if it has not been reclaimed by its owner.
Tow truck drivers are held to these rules by law! If they try to charge you more than is required or if their estimate is too high in comparison with the average fees, then you have every right to refuse to pay them. They cannot do anything about it either because all this is enforced for your protection.
Towing companies that break the rules are usually not very trustworthy, to begin with, so it is always better to do your research beforehand! A little bit of time invested in finding out what is required can help save you hundreds or even thousands in fees.
Tow truck drivers have a tough job, but it is their life which is why they must know all there is about how to tow a car. They have to be able to take care of the vehicle that is being towed without being too rough or careless; they have to know all about local laws in their city and how much is allowed for them to charge etc. The list is endless!
The Pay Isn’t Usually That Great.
In addition to that, tow truck operators seldom get great pay. Most of them can’t expect to get rich through this profession, but they are able enough in their line of work with what’s on offer, and as long as you’re okay living comfortably, then I don’t see why not!
One thing about being an employee, though – if things go really well financially at home (which most likely won’t happen), it might make more sense not to do two jobs since there will be less stress involved when juggling between time spent at each one.
What Does A Tow Truck Driver Make?
In the U.S., tow truck drivers can make anywhere from $15-$20 per hour based on experience and certification. Drivers who work more hours or overtime typically earn a higher salary than those with less time spent driving around helping out at accident scenes, though this varies geographically as well.
Those working in larger cities tend to gross about 40% ($4)more than counterparts living outside large metropolises due largely to geographic location (city population). However, if someone doesn’t have any certifications, they will only get paid slightly over minimum wage, which currently stands at $7 Athletic Workouts For Beginners And Advanced Users per hour.
In Canada, the average is a bit higher at $20 per hour, with some drivers making upwards of 50k+ annually- if they are working for one of the bigger companies, that is! Again it is going to vary from place to place and most likely will be lower in smaller cities or rural areas where there aren’t as many cars in high need of being towed.
The Requirements For Becoming A Tow Truck Driver Is Not That High
All that is required to start this off is obtaining your G license! You are not even required to go through any additional education or training, with the exception of some provinces where you may have to pass an exam before applying, which also isn’t too difficult.
Be sure to check out the requirements for your particular province below before thinking about applying! It is always better if you are fully prepared and knowledgeable about what is required or at least have an idea of what is involved so that there aren’t any surprises later on down the line.
Conclusion
The job of a tow truck driver can be seen as dirty, dangerous, or difficult to get into. However, there are many great things about driving for this type of company that you may not know until it is too late. That’s all we have on “Is Being A Tow Truck Driver A Good Job?”
Tow Truck Drivers will touch on the good and bad points of working in this industry so that you can make an educated decision before applying for work at one. As with any career choice, there are pros and cons when deciding if being a tow truck driver is right for you; but overall, we think it’s worth your consideration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it hard being a tow truck driver?
No. Despite the fact that it’s related to cars, which people often think of as complicated, there is nothing hard about becoming a tow truck driver. The training required varies, but it usually doesn’t take more than one day (and often not even that) for someone to properly learn how to use them or to send them off with other trucks on jobs.
Is being a tow truck driver the most dangerous job?
I would say a tow truck driver is a fairly dangerous job, but even more dangerous jobs exist. Many people think of the police officer as the most dangerous job in the world because statistically speaking.
they’re usually killed by gunfire shortly after they leave for work every day. In 2012 alone, there were 51 law enforcement officers COD from firearms as opposed to 5 who died as a result of traffic accidents or 7 who died from stabbing.
How many hours do tow truck drivers work?
It varies depending on the kind of trucking you’re talking about. If “Tow Truck Drivers” are people who work for an 18-wheeler company, they may spend 12 hours on the road and 8 hours off per day, with two days off per week.
If “Tow Truck Drivers” are people who do roadside assistance after car accidents, they may work 8 to 10 hours each day depending on how full their schedule is.
Hi, I am Muhammad Daim – an automotive lover and researcher. I am a co-founder at AutomotiveGuider.com. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science but cars and trucks have always been my passion. My goal is to always learn new skills and share my experience with the world.
It was very informative to know that the salary of a tow truck driver is based on the hours they put in the work. My sister’s car broke down in the middle of the road, and she asked me to pick her up. That being said, I’ll also need to avail for towing services, so that she can get her car transferred to the nearest auto repair shop in town.