LBrown59
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Is It legal to tow an unlicensed uninsured vehicle with a wrecker?
Is It Legal
- Thread starter LBrown59
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Cat_Driver
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There are too many variables to answer your question. What state, define towing, define unlicensed ( because some vehicles don't need a license ) etc.
What I would do is put anything you have on a Flat bed wrecker then there is no problem.
I mean if it's a stolen Escalade ....you might run into a few problems.
What I would do is put anything you have on a Flat bed wrecker then there is no problem.
I mean if it's a stolen Escalade ....you might run into a few problems.
Inspector507
Super Member
A lot of tow trucks also carry a license tag marked "special" in Ohio. That covers anything they tow. Their Insurance probably covers them towing a vehicle and any damage they cause to it or any other vehicle.
OP
LBrown59
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I had a wrecker Tow my 92 Toyota with a tow truck to the shop.
I did not have any license plates on it and no insurance on it.
I really don't know if this was legal or not.
This was in Ohio.
Matt_Jr
Platinum Member
As long as the tow truck was tagged licensed and insured it was legal.
JohnDeere4300
Veteran Member
Here in Kentucky a wrecker can haul anything as long as the wrecker has insurance and a plate.
And you don't need a license plate on a boat trailer or any kind of trailer pulled behind a pickup truck
The heavier the load than the trailer needs license.
they don't even require a inspection sticker, only on a commercial truck.
And you don't need a license plate on a boat trailer or any kind of trailer pulled behind a pickup truck
The heavier the load than the trailer needs license.
they don't even require a inspection sticker, only on a commercial truck.
DieselPower
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I know quite a bit about the towing industry. I have a lot of friends who own towing companies and I have done quite a bit of towing myself. The short answer to your question is YES. The price of tags and insurance is many times more expensive than you would have for a regular vehicle. The reason the insurance cost so much more (many thousands of dollars a year) is that it covers the towing vehicle and anything it is towing, same goes for the tags. The key is that it must have tow truck/towing tags on it and not regular tags. It varries from state to state what they call the tags but every state has them. The cost of tags and insurance on a tri-axle heavy wrecker easily go over $10,000 a year.
A example would be that Maryland has two types of tow truck tags. TT and TE tags. The tag number has either the TT or TE as part of the license number. The TT stands for tow truck and the TE stands for towing and equipment. The difference is you can only tow vehicles with a TT tag and it would be illegal to tow a pallet on the back of a rollback with TT tags. With TE tags you can tow anything to include commercial cargo, it does not have to be a vehicle. The TE tags cost a bit more because you can transport more things with them.
A example would be that Maryland has two types of tow truck tags. TT and TE tags. The tag number has either the TT or TE as part of the license number. The TT stands for tow truck and the TE stands for towing and equipment. The difference is you can only tow vehicles with a TT tag and it would be illegal to tow a pallet on the back of a rollback with TT tags. With TE tags you can tow anything to include commercial cargo, it does not have to be a vehicle. The TE tags cost a bit more because you can transport more things with them.
ultrarunner
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My police department told me I can tow unlicensed/unregistered vehicles as long as no part of the vehicle is in contact with a public road...
I can also tow with a free one-day trip permit a unlicensed/unregistered vehicle...
Licensed Tow Company Operators are not bound by the above retractions and often carry "Dismantler" Plate issued by the State.
I live in California.
I can also tow with a free one-day trip permit a unlicensed/unregistered vehicle...
Licensed Tow Company Operators are not bound by the above retractions and often carry "Dismantler" Plate issued by the State.
I live in California.
Ductape
Elite Member
This depends on your state. Here in NH it is perfectly legal.......... in other states it is not. No reason it couldn't be loaded on a ramp truck, or as mentioned, a special plate could be affixed by the towing service just for the tow. Generally speaking, the illegality comes from states with mandatory auto insurance. Having current tags on the vehicle in tow insures that it is insured, should a mishap happen during the tow.
MikeD74T
Veteran Member
In the states that require plates & insurance on the towed vehicle, how do the cops get an abandoned unregistered or a simply expired vehicle off the street? That's the logic for tow companies being able to tow unregistered vehicles in New Hampshire. Also NH does not require insurance, it requires financial responsibility, if you have enough assets you can self insure. MikeD74T
