The primary responsibility of the Wrecker Unit is to ensure the safety of all roadway users by ensuring disabled vehicles that are traffic hazards are cleared quickly from the roadway, that tow trucks are safety inspected annually, and tow companies, wrecker operators, and boot operators have passed background checks when obtaining licenses and permits to operate within the City of Austin.
The Wrecker Enforcement Unit is responsible for the administrative process of dealing with tow and vehicle immobilization services as well as investigation of criminal allegations. The APD Wrecker Unit does not regulate private property tows. A private property owner/agent may contract with a tow company to conduct private property tows from their property. The private property owner/agent would be the authority to contact for non-consent tows occurring on their property. However, if there is an allegation of violation of city ordinance or state law, the Wrecker Unit may conduct a criminal investigation.
Principal Responsibilities of APD Wrecker Unit regarding Tow Services:
- Continuous review of tow administrative rules and tow related city ordinance for improvement and enforcement.
- Work closely with the city contracted dispatch vendor for police impounds, non-consent public right of way tows, and Traffic Incident Management System (TIMS) tows.
- The dispatch vendor utilizes a GPS system to dispatch the closest available tow truck in order to quickly clear traffic hazards.
- Issuance of tow company license and wrecker driver/operator license.
- Background checks are required for issuance of tow licenses to ensure the safety of residents, visitors and other roadway users.
- Ensure licensed tow companies utilized by the dispatch vendor have each of their tow trucks safety inspected annually by the dispatch vendor.
- Conduct criminal investigations upon the tow company and/or tow operator (driver) regarding violations of city ordinance or state law.
- Work closely with the Texas Department Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) regarding the tow industry and vehicle storage facilities (tow yard).
Principal Responsibilities of APD Wrecker Unit Regarding Vehicle Immobilization Services:
The state has delegated the regulation of vehicle booting authority to municipalities. City of Austin Ordinance designates the Austin Transportation Department and the Austin Police Department as the agencies with authority to enforce City Ordinance 13-7 Vehicle Immobilization Services.
- APD works closely with Austin Transportation Department (ATD) in continuous review of booting administrative rules, and vehicle immobilization related city ordinance for improvement and enforcement.
- APD is responsible for issuance of vehicle immobilization operator permits to individuals that work for licensed vehicle immobilization services.
- Background checks are required for issuance of boot operator permits for the safety of residents and visitors.
- ATD is the authority for issuance of the company license as required by city ordinance.
- APD is responsible for the investigation of criminal complaints regarding allegations of violation of city ordinance or state law.
Links to more information:
Citizen and Consumer Rights Regarding Towed and Booted Vehicles
Wrecker Inspections and Licensing Information for companies and drivers
Vehicle Immobilization Services Information for companies and operators (booters)
TIMS Traffic Incident Management System
Tow and Vehicle Immobilization Fees
City Ordinance regarding Towing and Vehicle Immobilization Services: