After a crash, the last thing you need is a surprise bill or someone pushing you to sign something on the side of the road. In NSW, accident towing is regulated. NSW Fair Trading sets maximum fees for accident and salvage tows, and spells out your rights at the scene.
This guide summarises that guidance for drivers across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, the Central Coast and the Hunter. It is a plain-English summary, not legal advice, and the NSW Government pages linked at the end are the final word.
Which tows have a maximum fee?
The capped fees apply to accident towing and salvage, not to every tow. Under Fair Trading’s rules, a tow truck driver “cannot charge more than the maximum fee determined by NSW Fair Trading for an accident tow or salvage tow”.
A breakdown tow, a car removal or a long-distance move is priced by the operator, so ask for a quote before the work starts. Our guide to how car towing works covers what moves the price of an everyday tow.
How much does an accident tow cost for a car?
For light vehicles (GVM up to 4.5 tonnes), Fair Trading publishes a table of maximum charges, excluding GST, valid for the 2026 to 2027 period. It was last updated on 1 July 2026. The table is built from a few parts:
- A set maximum for the accident tow itself, with separate amounts for each subsequent tow and for a recovered stolen vehicle.
- A per-kilometre charge for longer tows. In areas outside the defined Sydney metropolitan area it applies to a tow over 20 km by the most direct route; inside it, over 10 km.
- A 20% surcharge outside business hours. Business hours are 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays.
- Daily storage in an authorised holding yard, charged per 24 hours or part, with a lower rate outside the Sydney metropolitan area and for motorcycles.
- An hourly charge for clearing debris at a crash on a road with a speed limit over 80 km/h.
The exact figures are on Fair Trading’s light vehicle fee page. Which distance rule applies depends on whether the tow is inside the defined Sydney metropolitan area, so check that page if you are unsure.
What about trucks and heavy vehicles?
Heavy vehicle accident towing is charged by truck class, from Class 3 (GCM up to 25 t) through Class 4(A), 4(B) and 4(C) (over 60 t). Each class has a maximum for the first hour and a rate for each hour after, excluding GST, and these include all travelling costs. After hours, a 50% surcharge can apply to labour only, and storage is charged daily after 72 hours. The figures are on Fair Trading’s heavy vehicle fee page.
If a truck is off the road, our heavy vehicle breakdown towing page explains how we handle bigger jobs.
Your rights at the crash scene
- You can say no. You have the right to refuse a tow “for any reason, for example, if the tow truck is not suitable”.
- You can ask what it will cost. You are entitled to a quotation for the towing work and a copy of the towing authorisation form.
- You choose where it goes. The towing authorisation names the address your vehicle is going to, and the driver must tow it there.
- Only the right people can sign. The owner or driver, a police officer or an authorised officer at the scene can give the authorisation, and the tow truck must be at or near the scene before the driver asks for it.
- You can arrange your own tow. If no one is injured, everyone has exchanged details, and no one is under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you can organise your own tow and leave. A crash that needs a tow away must be reported to NSW Police on 131 444.
What to check before you sign
- The authorisation is in writing and signed by both you and the driver.
- The destination address is the one you want. It also lists an alternate address, which is the operator’s holding yard.
- You have read and understood the declaration before you sign it.
- The driver gives you the blue copy straight away.
- The driver is wearing a drivers certificate issued by NSW Fair Trading, where you can see it.
- A green towing notice sticker goes on your vehicle before it is towed. It shows the authorisation serial number, the operator’s name and licence number, the driver’s name and certificate number, the registration and the destination.
- Nobody offers you an inducement, or asks you to authorise repairs before the vehicle reaches the address on the form. Drivers are not allowed to do either.
- Ask for a receipt. Fair Trading says proof of purchase is required for services over a set value, and towing services must be of acceptable quality and fit for purpose under Australian Consumer Law.
If something doesn’t seem right
NSW Fair Trading handles towing complaints and disputes. Its Tow Truck Investigation Unit is on 133 220.
Need a tow around Newcastle?
NewLake Tow Trucks is licensed and insured, licensed to attend accident scenes, and available 24/7 across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, the Central Coast and the Hunter. See our emergency tow truck service, or get an estimate for any other tow with our instant quote tool.
Call or text us on 0403 353 056.
