Hi there and we are so glad your here! Welcome to the towing world and congrats on your leap! If you're preparing to tow, transport, or haul goods, vehicles, or trailers, this knowledge will guide you on your path. You may be feeling excited and even a little nervous, we've all been there and worrying about looking like a newbie to this is totally okay, we were all beginners in towing once!
I remember feeling excited and scared at the same time coming from the real estate business for over 20 years to starting to transport vehicles with my husband about 10 years ago. The rigs we started our business with were 3500 pickup trucks with 2 and 3 car gooseneck trailers and I had never driven or certainly ever backed up a vehicle of this size. It was intimidating and I was so worried about wiping somebody or something out, but my husband had been towing for 15 years prior to us starting our business and has towing in his blood. He is absolutely amazing at what he does and is a very good and patient teacher, thank goodness! We still transport with our trucks and trailers as well as our flatbeds and wheel lifts to this day and I can drive and operate all of them. Mishaps do happen, all we can do is our best to try and prevent them, but you are definitely not alone.
These were the first few rigs that I started driving and learning with and the experience was amazing!
The truth is, towing isn’t as intimidating as it seems when you have the right knowledge and preparation. That’s why I’ve put together this guide with essential tips to help you start your towing journey confidently and safely.
In this article, we'll be exploring the ins and outs of towing to conquering driving techniques all boosting your confidence for towing success! Here is a sneak peek of what to expect:
- Types of towing and rigs to use under CDL requirements
- Steps to prepare to tow and how to adjust your driving style
- Licenses needed to tow for you personally or if you are starting your own company
- DOT safety gear and tools needed while towing
- Tips to avoid unnecessary stress
So, grab a cup of coffee (or your favorite road-trip snack), take a deep breath, and let’s dive into the world of towing. By the end of this guide, you’ll feel ready to hitch up and hit the road with confidence. Let’s get started!
Types of towing and rigs to use under CDL requirements
The main light duty types of towing are with a flatbed or rollback and wheel lift. Some flatbeds have wheel lift capabilities so that you can tow more than 1 vehicle depending on the size of your tow truck. If towing more than 2 vehicles you will be considered CDL in your weight limits, we'll talk about that more below. Some trucks are just wheel lift trucks also called snatch trucks or wreckers. These trucks typically can only haul 1 vehicle at a time and can lift certain types of vehicles completely off the ground with the assistance of the tow dollies. Tow dollies are a set of smaller wheels that you place under 1 set of tires opposite side of vehicle that wheel lift is picking up. These could be needed for AWD (all wheel drive) vehicles or lowered, specialty vehicles. Here is a very helpful site, www.decodethis.com, where you can quickly look up a vehicle by the vin to confirm whether it is AWD, FWD (front wheel drive) or RWD (rear wheel drive). These tow trucks can move operable and inoperable vehicles or accident vehicles and are best used for everyday towing, residence pickups, repossessions, accidents and recovery or emergency roadside assistance.
There are also pickup trucks with trailers attached that are considered transporters or hot shot rigs. Smaller 1 car trailers can be connected to 150 or 1500 trucks while the bigger trailers transporting 2 or 3 vehicles are 250/2500 or 350/3500 trucks. Any larger truck than this would be considered CDL in your weight limits. These rigs can move operable vehicles and with the proper equipment they can be setup to move inoperable vehicles and are best used for transporting from auctions, dealerships and fleet locations.
Choosing the correct tow truck is vital for a safe and efficient towing process, not just a matter of convenience. Whether you’re a vehicle owner or a professional in the field, familiarizing yourself with the various tow truck options and their specific functionalities is the foundation of a successful towing experience.
Steps to prepare to tow and how to adjust your driving style
Knowing your rigs vehicle capacity and weight ratings is your first step and is crucial because you want to be safe for your sake and everyone else on the road. Accidents or issues can happen if you are overweight and DOT can shut you down and fine you major costs for being overweight and/or information not being correct on your registrations and documents. These are the main weight ratings you will need to know and will need to be correct on all of your documents:
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GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating): The maximum weight your tow vehicle and fully loaded trailer can handle together.
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GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating): The maximum weight your tow vehicle can safely carry, including passengers, cargo, and tongue weight.
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GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating): The maximum weight each axle can support.
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TW (Tongue Weight): The downward force your trailer places on the hitch, ideally 10-15% of the trailer’s weight.
You can drive a tow truck or hot shot truck without a (CDL) commercial driver’s license if your vehicle or vehicle and trailer have a total gross weight rating under 26,000 pounds.
You'll also want to know proper weight distribution to minimize swaying and prevent vehicle from fishtailing. Just because it fits on the trailer bed doesn’t mean you should haul it. There are a few basic ways to balance out the weight to be sure it’s not overloading any axle of the tongue. First, look at the GAWR. This tells you the amount of weight the trailer’s axle can hold. If your trailer has two axles, it should have a front axle and rear axle GAWR.
Try to keep about 60% of the load in the front half of your trailer. Don’t overload the end of the trailer, or it could damage your trailer and cause other hazards. Try to keep your GVWR to about 80% of the allowed amount. This means that the total weight of your trailer and cargo should be well below the GVWR printed on your trailer’s VIN label.
After figuring out a safe front/back load scheme, check the left/right load. This should be reasonably balanced to protect your trailer and truck from any damage. It also improves your stability and handling on the road.
We recommend double checking all connections and do a safety trip inspection including your safety chains whether its required in your state or with your type of towing or not. Monitor tire pressure and brakes. Even though you aren't CDL with the stricter requirements, you should have your own daily trip inspection checklist so that you have a system and routine for checking and maintaining your rig. Here is a link to our FREE NON CDL TRIP INSPECTION CHECKLIST that we use. There are still other items you'll need to check on your specific rig, but this is a good start.
Once you have your weight ratings and proper weight distribution down and have checked all on your list for safety, my advice is to practice driving your rig. Practice turning, reversing and parking to learn the handling of your vehicle and gain muscle memory. You will need to adjust driving style in how you accelerate, stop, turn, following distance, use wider turns and pay closer attention to speed limits and driving slower than normal.
Licenses needed to start towing
When beginning a towing or transport business, your first step will be to decide what form of business entity to establish. Your form of business determines which income tax return form you have to file. The most common forms of business are the sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, and S corporation. A limited liability company (LLC) is a business structure allowed by state statute. Click Here for more information on each of these business structures.
Once you have decided on your business structure, you will need to apply for a FEIN (federal identification number) online with the IRS-FEIN setup. The number will be given you to right away once you've completed the registration.
If you plan to tow out of state, you will be required to apply for a MC (motor carrier) number with the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) and UCR (Unified Carrier Registration). Here is a link to the information and how to apply, Federal Motor Carrier Authority Filings - FMCA Filings. You can also apply for your DOT# on this same site at the same time. A DOT# will be required in any state with or without the MC#. These numbers will be given to you right away once you go through the process and apply with all the correct credentials. However, you will be in a probation period for the next 12 months where a safety audit will take place and you may be pulled over and reviewed a little more than normal while in this new entrant stage. They will be looking at your rig and its safety along with your documents such as your licenses and registrations to ensure all information is correct.
Another license/permit you will need depending on your state is an intrastate permit from DMV. This permit allows you to locally operate specifically within your state. In Virginia, we must submit for this authority permit through this link, For-Hire Intrastate Operating Authority | Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. This usually takes about a week to receive your permit number and any instructions to finish this process.
Next, you will need a commercial insurance policy quoted and setup to submit to the proper authorities as soon as possible once applying for your certifications and permits. The amounts for your type of operation will be given to you upon completion of the above permits and licenses. Your insurance company will go over the rest of the options and questions with you to complete this process.
Once you've submitted for your licenses from MC, DOT and DMV you'll want to make sure that your titles, registrations and tags with DMV for any vehicles you'll be using in your business are up to date and processed correctly. For information and recommendations on the best light duty trucks for towing under CDL, subscribe below and keep an eye out for our next post, Best Light Duty Trucks for Towing under CDL.
If you are operating a tow truck flatbed, rollback or wrecker you will need to apply for a towing license with your local state jurisdiction. In Virginia, you will need to apply here at, Tow Truck Drivers | Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services, Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services. Your jurisdiction will let you know the cost and where to get your fingerprints done and assist you with scheduling an appointment to have this done. Most of this process can be done online, they will perform a background check and mail your tow license to you usually within 30 to 90 days (each state varies).
Along with your towing license, you will need a DOT medical card that requires that you make a doctor appointment with a provider who performs DOT physicals. They will be checking basic health requirements and blood pressure to ensure you are well enough to operate a commercial motor vehicle for hire. Some primary doctors still do DOT physicals for your medical card, but you'll want to call ahead to confirm they do before making an appointment.
DOT safety gear and tools needed while towing
The type of equipment you will need often depends on the type of towing you’ll be doing. Whether you’re doing standard on-the-side calls, accidents, or private property impound, most states do require basic minimums. The following is a list of the main essential safety gear and tools needed while towing, as per DOT regulations: (Click on the description for a link to purchase any of these items in our online store)
We have a little bit of everything related to towing in our store at www.durrettrecovery.com!
All of this equipment is essential to providing roadside assistance safely and effectively and is typically required by most towing companies to work with them. By following a tow truck equipment checklist and inspecting your equipment inventory before and after each job, you ensure that you are always prepared to service a wide range of towing needs. Each state will have its own list of required equipment you must keep on your truck while operating, so be sure to research your local and state requirements.
Tips to avoid unnecessary stress
Plan your route ahead with trailer friendly roads, low bridges, steep inclines, rest stops and fueling stations and be prepared for emergencies such as blowouts, overheating and minor repairs. Weather also plays a big role in towing safely.
Inspect your gear regularly. We recommend using our free daily trip inspection checklist to ensure all is ready to hit the road, Free Non CDL Trip Inspection Checklist.
Before hitting the road, take the time to secure any loose items in your vehicle or trailer. Loose cargo can become projectiles during sudden stops or turns, posing a risk to both you and other motorists on the road. Invest in cargo nets, tie-down straps, or storage containers to keep items secure and minimize the risk of accidents or damage. Ensuring that all loose items are properly secured demonstrates responsible driving behavior and helps maintain a safe environment for everyone on the road.
Continue to practice with your rig throughout your journey, muscle memory and confidence grows with experience. Every seasoned tower started where you are now. I’ve been in your shoes, and I can tell you this: towing does get easier with time.
Got more questions? Drop them in the comments, and I’ll be happy to help. Let’s keep learning and towing safely together!
Conclusion
Towing for the first time can feel like a big step, but with the right preparation and practice, it’s a journey you’ll soon embrace with confidence. From understanding your vehicle’s towing capacity to mastering the art of reversing, every tip we’ve shared is designed to set you up for success.
Remember, towing isn’t about perfection—it’s about learning, adapting, and growing with every mile. Each trip will teach you something new, and those lessons will make your future adventures even smoother and more enjoyable!
Towing isn’t just a task, it’s an experience. Whether you’re heading to a scenic campground, hauling your favorite toys, or embarking on a road trip with family, the journey is as important as the destination. So, take it slow, stay patient, and savor every moment of the adventure.
Even our grandkids are loving the tow life!
Let’s Hear Your Story
We'd love to hear about your first towing experience! Was there a lesson you learned or a tip you found particularly helpful? Or maybe you have a question about your setup?
Drop your story or question in the comments below—let’s connect and keep the conversation going. After all, the towing community is all about sharing and learning from one another.
With preparation, practice, and a bit of patience, you’ll be towing like a pro in no time. Here’s to safe travels and unforgettable journeys ahead!
Stay tuned for more tips and guides here at www.Durrettrecovery.com. Until next time, happy towing!
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