A breakdown or crash never happens at a convenient time. Maybe the battery gives up in Springvale on the school run. Maybe a tyre pops on the Monash. Maybe a minor rear-end leaves your bumper rubbing the wheel near Clayton South. In those moments you do not want theory. You want a simple checklist that keeps you safe, helps the truck find you fast, and prevents surprise costs.
This guide walks you through exactly what to do, who to call, what to say, and how to keep everything calm and under control.
The 10-Second Checklist
-
Hazards on.
-
Pull over safe. Aim for a straight stretch with a wide shoulder.
-
Stay visible. Keep seatbelt on if staying inside. Exit from the kerb side only.
-
Place warning triangle if safe.
-
Pin your location on your phone maps. Screenshot it.
-
Call an emergency tow using the steps below.
-
Keep notes of time, quotes, driver name, and truck rego.
Step 1: Get Yourself and the Car to Safety
Ease off the throttle and roll to the shoulder. Avoid blind bends and crests. On freeways like CityLink or the Eastern, stay in the car with the seatbelt on unless a firefighter or police officer tells you otherwise. If you must exit, do it on the passenger side and stand well behind the barrier.
Turn on hazards, pop the bonnet if it helps other drivers see you, and place a triangle if you can do so without stepping into live traffic.
Step 2: Lock In Your Exact Location
Tow dispatchers love landmarks. Give them a pin, a cross street, and a reference. Examples that work:
-
“Outbound Monash, just after Wellington Road exit, left shoulder.”
-
“Princes Highway near Clayton Road, opposite the service station.”
-
“Noble Park North, Corrigan Road near the oval car park.”
If you are in a long rural stretch, read the kilometre post number or freeway emergency phone marker if visible. Take a photo of the nearest sign. These little details shave minutes off arrival time.
Step 3: Decide Who You Are Calling
You have three common options:
-
Roadside assistance membership (if you have it).
-
Your insurer if the car is undriveable after a crash and you want it taken to an approved repairer.
-
A local emergency towing operator for fast help with breakdowns, lockouts, flat tyres, and non-drivable vehicles.
If you need a dependable local operator now, keep a bookmark for tow truck melbourne. Having one reliable number avoids price games and delays.
Step 4: Make the Call and Say These Five Things
Tow companies handle all kinds of calls. The fastest way to get the right truck is to be specific and calm. Have this ready:
-
Location: the map pin or nearest intersection and direction of travel.
-
Vehicle: make, model, colour, and if it is loaded with anything unusual.
-
Problem: engine died, flat tyre, crash damage, locked out, off-road in mud.
-
Safety: in a lane or on the shoulder, traffic conditions, visibility issues.
-
Destination: home, your mechanic, or a holding yard.
You do not have to diagnose the fault. Just describe what you see. The dispatcher chooses the truck based on your info.
Step 5: Confirm Price, ETA, and Extras Before You Agree
Ask four quick questions:
-
How long until the truck arrives.
-
What truck type are they sending.
-
Total price from pickup to drop-off, including call-out and after-hours fees.
-
Payment options and whether GST is included.
Get the driver’s name and the truck registration number. Text yourself the quote and time. Clear notes protect you if you need to claim later.
Step 6: Know Which Tow Truck Fits the Job
Not every job needs the same gear. Here is the plain-English guide:
-
Flatbed / tilt tray: best for all-wheel drive, low sports cars, heavy damage, or long distances.
-
Wheel-lift: quick for short hops when two wheels can roll freely.
-
Integrated or heavy-duty: for vans, small trucks, machinery, or awkward recoveries.
-
Recovery with winch: for bogged cars in mud or a ditch near Dingley Village or the Yarra trails.
If you are unsure, ask the dispatcher: “Will my car be fully carried or lifted at one end?” It helps you prepare the scene.
Step 7: Stay Safe While You Wait
Keep the phone charged. Share your live location with a family member. At night, keep the cabin light on so the driver sees you.
If a stranger stops, thank them through a cracked window and explain that a truck is on the way. Lock the doors. In heavy rain or on a narrow shoulder, move behind a barrier.
Step 8: What Happens When the Truck Arrives
The operator will assess the position, choose the loading method, and may ask you to sign an authorisation. Expect a few basic questions about where to drop the car and how to access it if it is locked.
For flatbeds, the driver will lower the tray, attach a line to a secure point, and carefully winch the car aboard. For wheel-lift, they will secure the lifting yoke under the appropriate axle. Professional drivers also check tie-downs after a few minutes on the road.
Most operators can take one passenger to the destination. If you have kids or additional passengers, arrange alternative transport.
Step 9: Keep Your Costs Predictable
Price usually depends on call-out, kilometres, truck type, complexity, and time of day. Night jobs and public holidays cost more. Winching, difficult recoveries, and storage add to the bill.
Avoid surprises with three habits:
-
Ask for the full price to your chosen address before you agree.
-
Request a tax invoice that shows pickup, drop-off, kilometres, and extras.
-
Photograph the car before loading and after unloading.
If you need a round-the-clock option with transparent quotes, save a tab for tow truck melbourne so you are not searching under stress.
Step 10: Insurance and How It Fits
Policies differ. Some comprehensive covers pay for towing after a crash to an approved repairer. Some roadside plans include breakdown towing to the nearest workshop. Third party property usually does not pay for your own tow unless you bought an extra.
Read the PDS for:
-
Whether towing after an accident is included.
-
Distance limits and storage rules.
-
Whether you must use a preferred repairer.
-
If you pay first and claim later.
If a crash involves injuries or hazards, call 000. For regulated accident scenes, use a licensed operator and keep the authorisation slip. When you specifically need post-collision help, ask for an accident towing service so the team brings the right gear.
For more on your rights and the process when your car is towed after a crash, see the Victoria Government’s guide: Getting your car towed after an accident.
When You Need Help at Any Hour
Breakdowns do not wait for business hours. Keep one reliable round-the-clock option saved. When the call is at midnight, you want a dispatcher who answers on the first ring and gives a clear ETA. If your situation cannot wait, use a 24 hour tow truck for rapid response anywhere across Melbourne’s south-east.
The Calm Way Through a Stressful Moment
Emergencies feel chaotic because there are many small decisions to make quickly. This guide condenses them into a few simple moves:
-
Make the scene safe.
-
Fix your location.
-
Choose a trusted operator.
-
Give a clear brief.
-
Confirm price and ETA.
-
Let a professional handle the rest.
When you save a reliable contact for urgent jobs, you remove guesswork and keep the whole process predictable.
For dependable help any time of day, from breakdowns to regulated crash recovery, lean on a local team with the right trucks, the right licences, and the habit of answering on the first ring—your go-to for accident towing service and everyday breakdowns alike.
