Other EquipmentTow Trucks

Section § 27700

Explanation

In California, tow trucks must have specific equipment on board. They need to carry brooms to clean up glass and debris from accidents and shovels to spread dirt over any oil or grease spills on the road. Tow trucks also require a fire extinguisher with a minimum rating of 4-B, C units that meets national safety standards. However, repossession agencies are exempt from these equipment requirements.

(a)CA Vehicle Code § 27700(a) Tow trucks shall be equipped with and carry all of the following:
(1)CA Vehicle Code § 27700(a)(1) One or more brooms, and the driver of the tow truck engaged to remove a disabled vehicle from the scene of an accident shall remove all glass and debris deposited upon the roadway by the disabled vehicle which is to be towed.
(2)CA Vehicle Code § 27700(a)(2) One or more shovels, and whenever practical the tow truck driver engaged to remove any disabled vehicle shall spread dirt upon that portion of the roadway where oil or grease has been deposited by the disabled vehicle.
(3)CA Vehicle Code § 27700(a)(3) One or more fire extinguishers of the dry chemical or carbon dioxide type with an aggregate rating of at least 4-B, C units and bearing the approval of a laboratory nationally recognized as properly equipped to make the approval.
(b)CA Vehicle Code § 27700(b) A person licensed as a repossession agency pursuant to Chapter 11 (commencing with Section 7500) of Division 3 of the Business and Professions Code is exempt from this section.
tow truck requirements road debris cleanup disabled vehicle ...