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Tow truckGermany

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Traffic signs
Traffic rules
Germany

138. Tow truck

A tow truck is a specialised vehicle used to recover, tow, lift or transport vehicles that are broken down, damaged, incorrectly parked or otherwise unable to continue their journey normally. Tow trucks may use lifting equipment, a winch, wheel-lift equipment or a loading platform.

Because vehicle recovery can take place beside moving traffic, tow trucks commonly use warning lights and other safety equipment while working. Drivers approaching a recovery operation should reduce speed where necessary, leave sufficient space and follow any temporary traffic control or instructions from authorised personnel.

A tow truck removes an illegally parked vehicle. (Moscow, Russia)
Wikimedia.org • Stolbovsky • CC BY-SA
What is a tow truck?

A tow truck is a specialised vehicle designed to recover, tow, lift or transport vehicles that are disabled, damaged or otherwise need to be removed.

How can a tow truck move another vehicle?

Tow trucks may use a wheel lift, lifting arm, winch, towing equipment or loading platform. The recovery method depends on the type and condition of the vehicle being moved.

What is a flatbed tow truck?

A flatbed tow truck carries the recovered vehicle on a loading platform rather than leaving some of its wheels on the road.

When is a tow truck used?

A tow truck may be used after a breakdown, collision, vehicle defect or other situation in which a vehicle cannot safely continue or must be removed.

Why do tow trucks use flashing warning lights?

Warning lights alert other road users that the tow truck is working, moving slowly or creating an unusual roadside hazard. The meaning and permitted colour of the lights depend on local law.

Do flashing lights give a tow truck emergency-vehicle priority?

Not necessarily. Warning lights used for vehicle recovery usually indicate a hazard rather than giving the tow truck the same legal priority as a police car, ambulance or fire vehicle.

Can any vehicle tow a broken-down car?

This depends on the local towing rules and equipment. Emergency towing may be permitted under limited conditions, while professional recovery vehicles can use specialised equipment designed for the task.

Can a tow truck recover a vehicle from a motorway?

Yes, where authorised and suitably equipped. Motorway recovery may be subject to special safety procedures because of the high traffic speeds and restricted stopping areas.

Should you slow down when passing a working tow truck?

Yes. Recovery personnel may be working close to live traffic and vehicles or equipment may occupy part of the roadway. Reduce speed where necessary and leave sufficient space.

Can a tow truck recover heavy trucks and buses?

Yes, if it is designed and rated for the vehicle concerned. Heavy recovery vehicles use specialised lifting and towing equipment for trucks, buses and other large vehicles.

1 Germany 2 Motorway 3 Expressway 4 Residential area 5 Zone 6 Speed limit 7 Footpath 8 Bike path 9 Shared-use path 10 Pedestrian warning 11 Tunnel 12 Bridge 13 Cycling street 14 Pedestrian zone 15 Toll road 16 Customs 17 One-way traffic 18 Quay 19 Slope 20 Bus lane 21 Bus stop 22 Dead end 23 Stop sign 24 Give way 25 Roundabout 26 Priority road 27 Road narrowing 28 Priority over oncoming traffic 29 Give way to oncoming traffic 30 Pedestrian crossing 31 Railway crossing 32 Mandatory direction 33 School area 34 Overtaking 35 Crossing animals 36 Slippery road 37 Rockfall 38 Aircraft 39 Curve 40 Chevron 41 Wrong-way driving 42 Roadworks 43 Crosswind 44 Height limit 45 Width limit 46 Length limit 47 Weight limit 48 Radar speed sign 49 Selective barriers 50 Low-emission zone 51 Intersection direction sign 52 Priority at the next junction 53 Traffic lights 54 Traffic lights warning 55 Pedestrian lights 56 Road markings 57 Junction layout 58 Bike box 59 Speed feedback 60 Driving licence 61 Location marker 62 Countdown markers 63 Traffic mirror 64 Emergency telephone 65 International border 66 Pedestrian underpass 67 Cycling route 68 End of restriction 69 Parking 70 No parking 71 No stopping 72 Parallel parking 73 Park and ride 74 Kiss and ride 75 Parking meter 76 Parking disc 77 Disabled parking 78 Traffic management 79 Reversing 80 Traffic jam 81 Detour 82 Uncontrolled crossroad 83 Road surface 84 Exit 85 Horse riding 86 Provisional licence 87 Hazardous cargo 88 Emergency exit 89 Runaway truck ramp 90 Oversize load 91 Cycle highway 92 Carsharing 93 City limit 94 Gantry 95 Distance board 96 Breakdown bay 97 Hiking 98 Pavement parking 99 Road church 100 Tourist attraction ... 101 Axle weight limit 102 Licence plate 103 Charging station 104 Dangers 105 Overhanging trees 106 Turn on red 107 Rail safety 108 Pedestrian 109 Cyclist 110 Moped 111 Motorcycle 112 Car 113 Truck 114 Bus 115 Police 116 Ambulance 117 Taxi 118 Police signals 119 Tailgating 120 European emission standard 121 Pothole 122 Private property 123 Path 124 Particulates 125 Air pollution 126 Rush hour 127 Road code 128 Two-way traffic 129 Street gutter 130 Cargo bike 131 Forestry vehicle 132 Construction vehicle 133 Semi-trailer truck 134 Trolleybus 135 Speed pedelec 136 Delivery vehicle 137 Idling 138 Tow truck 139 Four-wheel drive 140 No vehicles 141 Driver 142 Bicycle 143 Motorcycle equipment 144 Tram 145 Rail track 146 Caravan 147 Trailer 148 Tow hitch 149 Fire truck 150 Siren 151 Convoy 152 Emergency vehicle lighting 153 Agricultural machinery 154 Electric bicycle 155 Electric vehicle 156 Pedelec 157 Quadricycle 158 Microcar 159 All-terrain vehicle 160 Van 161 Recreational vehicle 162 Scooter 163 Trikke 164 Personal mobility device 165 Skateboard 166 Segway 167 Kick scooter 168 Roller skates 169 Mailman 170 Hitchhiker 171 Toddler 172 Child 173 Disability 174 Handcart 175 Horsecart 176 Crossing guard 177 Motorail 178 Snowplough 179 Parking violation 180 km/h 181 mph 182 Speedometer 183 National speed 184 Rumble strip 185 Ride height 186 Dirt road 187 Driving 188 Start-stop system 189 Manual transmission 190 Automatic transmission 191 Throttle 192 Tachometer 193 Steering wheel 194 Power steering 195 Visual scanning 196 Mirror 197 Fuel 198 Fuel economy 199 Fuel gauge 200 Petrol 201 Diesel 202 Diesel exhaust fluid 203 Car insurance 204 First aid kit 205 Fire extinguisher 206 High-visibility clothing 207 First aid 208 Guardrail 209 Concrete step barrier 210 Bollards 211 Barriers 212 Vehicle lights 213 Street lights 214 Dipped beam 215 High beam 216 Fog lights 217 Front fog lights 218 Rear fog lights 219 Side lights 220 Turn signals 221 Hazard lights 222 Dashboard lights 223 Bicycle lighting 224 Bicycle bell 225 Headlight flashing 226 Seat belt 227 Child restraints 228 Head restraints 229 Airbag 230 ABS 231 Esp 232 Traction control system 233 Helmet 234 Bicycle helmet 235 Hands-free 236 Smartphone 237 GPS 238 Brake 239 Handbrake 240 Brake fluid 241 Tyres 242 Tyre code 243 Winter tyres 244 Tyre pressure 245 Snow chains 246 Bicycle tyre 247 Continuous track 248 Gross Vehicle Weight 249 Gross Vehicle Weight Rating 250 Cargo 251 Car body 252 Trunk 253 Roof rack 254 Windscreen 255 Emergency hammer 256 Car battery 257 Traction battery 258 Suspension 259 Shock absorber 260 Spring 261 Exhaust 262 Exhaust gas 263 Soot 264 Catalytic converter 265 Engine 266 Petrol engine 267 Diesel engine 268 Electric motor 269 Timing belt 270 Glow plug 271 Cylinder 272 Engine oil 273 Coolant 274 Maintenance 275 Spare tyre 276 Flat tyre 277 Jack 278 Vehicle inspection 279 Key 280 Dashboard 281 Windscreen wiper 282 Doors 283 Glovebox 284 Visibility 285 Rain 286 Fog 287 Hail 288 Sunlight 289 Sunglasses 290 Salt 291 Air conditioning 292 Hydroplaning 293 Distraction 294 Emotions 295 Road rage 296 Health 297 Epilepsy 298 Night blindness 299 Visual impairment 300 Fatigue 301 Defects 302 Traffic violation 303 Alcohol 304 Alcohol control 305 Ignition interlock device 306 Breath test 307 Breath analysis 308 Blood alcohol content 309 Blood test 310 Saliva test 311 Drugs 312 Medication 313 Penalties 314 Speeding 315 Smoking 316 Traffic enforcement camera 317 Double curve 318 Accident 319 Injuries 320 Nosebleed 321 Damage 322 Breakdown 323 Warning triangle 324 International Driving Permit 325 Traffic rules 326 Driving school 327 Traffic signs