Basic towing rules that you’d be glad to know.

In New South Wales, there are existing rules and regulations that towing providers and customers need to comply with. Knowing these rules is vital, as they will give you an idea of what to do and expect during the process of towing. Read along to find out more about NSW towing and transport rules and regulations.

General Rules for Towing

NSW has set its own set of guidelines and requirements to make the process of towing easier, faster, and safer. Here are some of NSW’s general towing rules and regulations to keep in mind.

Basic Towing Rules

Safety is one of NSW’s top priorities with regard to towing. Some of the most basic towing rules the NSW government has set include:

• Not all drivers are allowed to tow. Since towing requires dexterity and driving specialty, learner drivers, as well as learner and provisional motorcycle riders, are not allowed to do any kind of towing.
• P1 car license holders are allowed to tow, but they can only tow small trailers with up to 250 kg of unloaded weight or less.
• It is prohibited for anyone to tow more than one trailer at a time.
• Trailers and caravans have large storage spaces, and people might be tempted to ride in it to save costs. However, it’s not permitted under NSW’s towing and transport rules and regulations. Safety is a priority, so nobody is allowed to tow as an alternative means of transportation.
• If you’re towing or driving anywhere without proper streetlights, you must be least 60 metres behind other vehicles, unless you have the intent to overtake.

Guidelines for Drivers

NSW has released guidelines for all tow drivers, especially those with towing trailers:

• Stay on your lane.

Do not complete sudden lane changes or changes in direction when towing a trailer. It is also critical to slow down as you approach road curves and corners.

• Observe further ahead than normal.

Drivers should observe further ahead than usual and see what’s happening in front of him. By doing so, he can react to traffic and road conditions accordingly without suddenly straining the tow vehicle’s machinery.

• Use the lower gear for downhill drives.

Increase control on the towing vehicle by using a lower gear when travelling downhill.

• Perform proper maintenance on your vehicle.

Before going ahead with your towing trip, make sure that the vehicle and trailers used are well-maintained and road-worthy. The oil, brake fluid, water, and battery must be working properly, and safety chains and lights work should connect well. Additionally, tyres must be inflated, and the wheel-bearings and suspension must be working well.

• Make sure that your towing vehicle accessories are properly-secured.

For longer trips, drivers should check all doors, hatches, couplings, and covers to make sure that these are secured. They should check their tyres as well to see if they’re adequately inflated and not rubbing on the inside-mechanical surfaces of the vehicle.

Towing Vehicle Requirements

All tow vehicles should comply with the requirements set by New South Wales. Here are some of the most important towing vehicle requirements you should remember:

• Make sure that the tow vehicle and its trailer are well-matched.

All vehicles should be suited to the type of trailer it will tow. Usually, vehicle manufacturers will list down its maximum capacity and suggest the appropriate type of trailer to use. You should make sure that the appropriate trailer matches the vehicle, and that the maximum capacity limit is not exceeded.

• All tow vehicles should be road-worthy and well-maintained.

All towing vehicles should meet the standards for registration and road-worthiness. Vehicles must be regularly maintained to avoid issues mid-trip. Additionally, the front and rear plates and lights should not be covered or obscured by the towbar if no trailer is connected to the vehicle.

• Make sure that you have all the necessary tow vehicle accessories.

All towing vehicles should have towbars, couplings, electrical sockets, and brake connections if the trailer has electrical or power brakes.

• Prepare extra transmission coolers.

Always prepare an extra transmission cooler, as vehicles that use automatic transmission may sometimes need it.

• Having extra mirrors for your tow vehicle is advised.

Visibility is key. Make sure to have extra mirrors for the towing vehicle, especially it connects to a large trailer.

• Tow trucks should be properly enforced, especially when using trailers.

Not all vehicles can tow heavy trailers. Make sure that the vehicle you are using has been properly enforced structurally so that it would be able to carry the trailer without straining itself.

The NSW Government also has a set of requirements for individual tow accessories. For a more detailed look at the NSW towing and transport policies, you should head to the website of Transport for New South Wales.

Have a safe and secure tow experience with Newcastle Towing and Transport

The whole towing process is not as easy as you think. There are rules and regulations to follow, and there are requirements that tow truck drivers must fulfil. Luckily, there are experienced towing and transport contractors like Newcastle Towing and Transport to help you safely and efficiently tow whatever it is that you need.

Let us help you tow your belongings safely and securely. Contact Newcastle Towing and Transport now to see how else we can help you!