A car accident is stressful enough without having to work out towing fees at the side of the road. You may be wondering whether the first eight kilometres are included, why an after-hours fee has appeared, or whether the price quoted by a towing company is regulated.
From 1 July 2026, updated accident towing charges apply within Melbourne’s controlled towing area. The regulated base fee for an eligible passenger vehicle is now $289.60, but that does not mean every tow in Melbourne costs the same amount.
The final bill depends on the distance travelled, the time of the accident, how long the vehicle is stored and, most importantly, whether the job is an accident tow or a regular breakdown tow.
Melbourne Accident Towing Fees for 2026–27
The Victorian Government regulates charges for towing accident-damaged vehicles weighing less than four tonnes from crash scenes within a controlled area. Melbourne’s controlled area also includes the Mornington Peninsula.
The following prices took effect on 1 July 2026:
| Charge | 2026–27 regulated amount |
|---|---|
| Base accident towing fee | $289.60 |
| Distance beyond the first 8km | $4.60 per kilometre |
| After-hours surcharge | $98.80 |
| Undercover locked storage | $32.80 per day |
| Storage in a locked yard | $22.20 per day |
All amounts include GST. The base charge covers the first eight kilometres travelled by the tow truck, along with the relevant operating costs included under the regulated fee structure.
These figures are published in the official Victoria Government Gazette, rather than being estimates produced by individual towing businesses.
What Would a Typical Accident Tow Cost?
The easiest way to understand the pricing is to look at a few practical examples.
Daytime tow covering 6km
Because the trip is within the first eight kilometres, the regulated towing charge would be:
$289.60
Additional kilometres are not charged because the distance has not exceeded the amount included in the base fee.
Daytime tow covering 20km
A 20km tow includes 12 kilometres beyond the first eight:
- Base charge: $289.60
- Additional distance: 12 × $4.60
- Estimated towing charge: $344.80
This figure does not include storage or any other service that falls outside the regulated towing charge.
After-hours tow covering 20km
For the same distance during an after-hours period:
- Base charge: $289.60
- Additional distance: $55.20
- After-hours surcharge: $98.80
- Estimated towing charge: $443.60
These examples show why two apparently similar crash tows can produce different invoices.
When Does the After-Hours Surcharge Apply?
Under the 2026–27 fee schedule, after-hours periods generally run from 5pm until 8am on weekdays.
The surcharge also applies throughout weekends, beginning at 5pm on Friday and ending at 8am on Monday. Public holidays are treated as after-hours for the entire day.
That means a crash at 4pm on a Wednesday may be priced differently from an otherwise identical crash at 7pm. When reviewing the invoice, check the time at which the tow was allocated from the accident scene.
Accident Towing and Breakdown Towing Are Not the Same
One of the biggest sources of confusion is the difference between regulated accident towing and ordinary vehicle recovery.
Regulated accident towing applies when a vehicle has been damaged in a road accident and is being removed from the crash scene. In Melbourne’s controlled area, these jobs are allocated through a roster system. The attending truck must be licensed, and the relevant operator and driver must hold the required accreditation.
A vehicle that has stopped because of a flat battery, mechanical failure, overheating or another non-collision issue normally requires trade towing. Trade towing prices are not set by the regulated accident towing schedule.
When comparing a car towing melbourne quote for a breakdown, ask for the complete price before accepting the job. Distance, vehicle size, access conditions and after-hours attendance can all affect a private quote.
Can Storage Increase the Final Bill?
Storage can become a significant part of the total cost when a damaged vehicle remains at a depot for several days.
For 2026–27, regulated storage for a passenger vehicle is $32.80 per day when kept under cover or $22.20 per day when stored in a locked yard. These charges apply to qualifying accident-damaged vehicles following a tow from a road accident scene in the controlled area.
After the vehicle arrives, contact your insurer or repairer as soon as practical. Confirm where the car is being stored, when daily charges begin and who is responsible for arranging its next movement.
Your insurance policy may cover reasonable towing and storage expenses, but the destination and approval process can depend on your policy. Do not assume every cost will automatically be paid.
What Should You Check Before the Car Is Towed?
Safety comes first. Call 000 when someone is injured or the accident creates an immediate danger. Victorian drivers must stop, assist injured people and exchange the required personal and vehicle details after a crash.
Once the scene is safe, confirm:
- the towing operator’s details
- where the vehicle will be delivered
- whether storage will be required
- the distance to the nominated destination
- whether the tow falls within regulated hours
- what you are authorising before signing
Read the authority-to-tow form carefully. The nominated destination matters because additional distance can increase the total fee. You can also read more about why Victorian accident towing costs have been changing.
What About a Regular Tow Truck in Melbourne?
The regulated figures in this article should not be treated as a universal price list for every tow truck melbourne job.
A broken-down vehicle, planned transport booking, low-clearance recovery or move between workshops may be quoted privately. For these jobs, request an upfront quote that confirms the call-out, included distance, after-hours fees and any special loading requirements.
A reliable car towing melbourne provider should ask about the vehicle, pickup point, destination and access before giving a final price.
Need Towing Assistance in Melbourne?
Understanding the fee structure makes it easier to review a towing invoice and avoid confusing accident towing with ordinary breakdown recovery.
For 24-hour help with breakdown towing, vehicle transport and eligible recovery services, contact Maningham Towing. Tell the team where the vehicle is located, what happened and where it needs to go so the correct towing option can be arranged.
