Towing

Under Towing is the process of pulling inoperative motor vehicle with the help of another motor vehicle as a short-term emergency measure. To connect the two vehicles, a tow rope, a tow bar or a tow- axis will be used. In road transport, a distinction is made between hauling and towing, as well as railway use. In the shipping and aviation, only the term drag is common.

Carryover / towing

A distinction is made between towing ( roadworthy or unroadworthy vehicle) and towing ( unroadworthy vehicle conjunction. Emergency ).

Towing ( § 15a Highway Code ) is pulling a broken-down vehicle in the context of emergency aid with the aim of locomotion for

• Elimination of non-operation,
• Recovery of the vehicle,
• Destruction of the vehicle.

Inoperability due to unrecoverable technical defects occurs when the betriebsssichere or intended use is no longer possible and that they can not be made ​​without great effort again on the spot. The Emergency Relief idea implies that a tow from the scene of the breakdown is permitted on the shortest path only to certain destinations. These destinations include the next appropriate workshop, a nearby location or scrapping operation or the next loading station. Distances up to 45 km can be partly seen as too far, because it then lacks the Notgesichtspunkt. If the distance is too great, the vehicle must be loaded. The driver of the vehicle to be towed does not need a driver's license ( § 6 paragraph 1, last sentence FeV ), it only needs the minimum of § 10 paragraph 3 FeV satisfy (15 years). The Drawing requires the license of the towing vehicle ( § 6 paragraph 1, last sentence FeV ). Towing applies performed as well when a tow rope or a designated tow bar (DIN 1756) will be used. If this is not the case, a fine in the amount of 25 € will be charged.

When towing is the process of aligning the engine of the towed vehicle for starting making use of the driving force of the towing vehicle. The tow must thus be regarded as a special case of towing.

Towing is the carrying of an operational or inoperative motor vehicle on its own wheels behind another vehicle, unless it is a towing. Although Basically, vehicles that are determined according to their design to operate as a motor vehicle, not be used as a pendant, however, the administrative authority may authorize exemptions. Further details are contained § 33 traffic regulations. A distinction is approved by the Department of Motor Vehicles and in non-approved towing. When approved towing an exemption pursuant to § 33 paragraph 1 shall be carried traffic regulations of the responsible road transport ministry and surrendered on demand. The driver of the towed vehicle needs a driver's license for the towed vehicle ( § 33 Section 2 Sentence 1 traffic regulations ). The driver of the towing motor vehicle but requires the license, the results from the weights of the vehicles ( see § 6 FeV ), probably at least category BE (note driving without a license pursuant to § 21 Road Traffic Act ).

When towing, tow truck by means of a continuous lighting including turn signal must be present. This is, for example, having an illumination beam reaches, is attached to the rear of the towed vehicle and plugged in the trailer socket of the towing vehicle. Vehicles over four tons may not be towed with a rope (or towed ). For hauling ( in Germany ) is a so-called " drag authorization " is essential. This is usually issued by the registration authorities. At towing companies valid flat-rate annual permits are issued, which are usually only valid for one Land. Private individuals or other who want to perform a drag operation, obtain an individual permit. In this the exact day, time, and distance are noted in the rule, in which the drag operation must be performed. Failure to comply with these rules constitutes a misdemeanor and is is in most cases ( BKat - OWi ) with 25 € warned and may result in the event of a claim for loss of hull protection or recourse to the liability insurance case.

When towing a car is pulled either on an axis or by cable or tow bar. A " taken away " a broken-down vehicle on a flatbed or trailer is called contrast, transport or salvage.

Vehicles with an automatic transmission may not be dragged to the drive axle, pushed, or otherwise moved, without open first stage ignition. Otherwise there is a risk of damaging the transmission. The driver of the towed vehicle must be suitable; he must not be in possession of a driving license. The towing on its own axis does not form a " train ". Apply here not the highway code rules on the maximum vehicle - train length and the maximum permissible trailer loads. But if a abzuschleppendes car, eg lorry with trailer or semitrailer can be decoupled, may not be towed along. In exceptional circumstances, with arrangement and escort by the police and the train will be towed if the remain of a tensile member in the traffic area would pose a greater danger than hauling the train ( eg on the highway to a parking lot where the trailers are parked can or until the next exit). Then must be continued from the highway parking lot from the towing trip with the two separate units. The motorway parking may not be permanent as a storage area down vehicles or trailers are abused because this would otherwise be an infringing special use.

Vehicles for commercial use ( tow trucks for vehicle transport, so-called " salvage car "; workshop trolleys ) must have a warning label in accordance with DIN 30710 have ( security identification to DIN 30710 ( warning ) mark on RSA -95). They must also be equipped with one or more beacons for yellow flashing light ( § 52 para 4, No. 2 Road Traffic Licensing Regulations ).

The commercial towing towing operations personnel must be at the legal regulations ( in addition to the Highway Code and the prevention of accidents) note, in particular, bear appropriate warning clothing in orange-red. The hedge material is usually composed of at least five traffic cones, three warning triangles, two warning lights, two wedges and a white and red warning flag.

The police regularly ranks at Abschleppungen for motor vehicles, which interfere with the public safety. They were used to secure ( security of property in stolen vehicles ) to ward off a threat or as a substitute performance (eg oil spills, hindrance or danger of traffic ), or seizure (eg, trace evidence for prosecution, cancellation).

Germany

In Germany, the towing in § 15a Highway Code is normalized. Towing is generally allowed only if an emergency idea is based on, so in the traffic area representing the disabled vehicle such as a danger to other road users. If the emergency thought not perish, there are " hauling ". Motorcycles must not be towed.

If a vehicle is towed by a tow bar or rope, both vehicles must have switched on the hazard warning flashers. When towing by tow ( admission legally a working machine ) has a continuous lighting with direction indicators exist ( Highway Code ). On motorways, towing is permitted only until the next exit, unless an exemption in the form of an individual license or duration Exemption (usually limited to a maximum of 100 kilometers around the holding seat of the towing services ) is available. When towing should not be driving on motorways. Lying at heart motorcycles must not be towed. The towing operation must be made ​​only to the nearest point at which the stopped car is no longer a danger or up to the nearest appropriate repair shop.

When removing illegally parked vehicles forbade it depends on whether the motor vehicle is located on public or private land. Those who use public highways traffic unconstitutional for parking, for example, must stop and hold ban expected in designated disabled parking areas on crosswalk in residents parking or expired parking meters so that the vehicle is being towed. In Schleswig -Holstein, for example, is usually towed in the following cases:

Because of the negative role model of false parked vehicle inspection authorities (police, city governments ) are increasingly gone over, for example, even with several free handicapped parking in principle to always leave tow.

When unauthorized parking on private property, the owner or tenant of the blocked parking area can basically have the vehicle towed. Again, the principle of negative role models is becoming more common, a reason to impound. However, the customer must first pay for its own account the towing process and can then make through the legal costs at the interference claims. Here in part of the house right holders to third parties ( service providers) is resorted to. Country legally, the breach of rules about parking on private land constitute an offense.

Towing costs

The towing costs are payable by the interferer. If the driver appears after notification of a towing company before the start of loading and his vehicle away, but costs for the empty leg of the towing vehicle are still due. In addition, according to the respective administrative enforcement laws of the countries covered in management fees, which are levied as a lump sum by a fee assessment. The fees are intended to cover the cost of the police operation. According to this Regulation (§ 15 Section 1 No. 7 Highway Code ) applies to the execution of the Administrative Enforcement Act of 8 December 2009 for the state of North Rhine -Westphalia. May be charged for towing a vehicle approved a fee of 25 € to 150 €. In addition, in all cases, nor the fines by the police. For a futile Directions (empty drive) the towing contractor may charge a fee way that corresponds to the round-trip ride. Custody fee will be omitted here.

In rare cases, the police can also move a car for free somewhere else. This is called then - in most cases incorrect signage - from reacting. The new location is often a few streets away and can be obtained from the police.

When towing of illegal parking on private land, the landowner is entitled to reimbursement of the costs for towing and the preparation for it, but not for monitoring. The ADAC criticized in 2008, however, towing companies who exhibit excessive bills of up to 300 €. Often vehicles of supermarket car parks will be towed out of the store opening time. The Hamburg Regional Court ruled that a bill for € 250 was excessive, and saw € 120 towing costs plus 10 € per day custody costs as appropriate. Meanwhile, there are numerous other judgments, according to which parking management companies have parking offenders to repay a substantial portion of the invoice amounts.

Rescue costs

The cost of recovering a disabled vehicle and driver is included only in the next service station in the membership fee of automobile clubs in general. Condition and at the same credential is a vorzuzeigender letter of protection ( motor vehicle ). In addition, requests to another workshop can be arranged, for example, at the residence of the vehicle owner, but the execution leads to the costs which will be borne by the insured. Fellow passengers other than the driver may not be taken when towing.

The driver of the Abschleppdiensts must also self-protection ( high visibility clothing ) take property left large parts of the vehicle and transport vehicle belonging to the broken edge of the roadway. In hazard situation is unclear and difficult traffic situation, it may require for the salvage operations assistance by the police, which then must conduct a traffic safety measure.

General provisions

The driver of the towing vehicle must have a valid driving license for this vehicle. In the towed vehicle a person ( not a valid driving license required) must be seated, which is able to steer the vehicle and operate the brakes.

A vehicle can still drive on its own may not be towed.

Cars with automatic gearbox must be transported on the towing bracket of the towing services or on the loading area. When hauling gear threatens additional damage.

When towing a motor vehicle for the purpose of engine start, then one speaks of towing. This is a special form it towed, the driver of the towed vehicle does not need a driver's license. After the engine has started, is immediately to stop and disconnect the vehicles. From there, the normal rules apply again.

Vehicles over four tons permissible total mass may only tow bar not be towed with a tow rope. Very probably heavier vehicles may be towed but with a tow rope.

However, where the broken-down car, the brake system is defective, a fixed tow bar must be used when towing.

Austria

In Austria the following options of towing are allowed:

• Cable (if the steering and working with the performance of the secondary braking system brake function );
• Rod ( when steering is ( although it is unclear whether under this requirement also a working Power steering assistance is one ) - in this case the towing vehicle be much heavier than the solid );
• Hubbrille, Dolly or crane truck (if the steering does not work).

When towing is - except when a Hubbrille or a crane truck is used - a speed limit of 40 km / h The hazard warning lights may be switched on, but the direction changes must then be viewed by hand. On motorways, towing is permitted only until the next exit, on highways to the next intersection.

Sweden

In Sweden, a maximum speed of 40 km / h applies, even when towing by tow ( in the eye / hanger raised an axis ) - even on highways. The fine at this speed is exceeded is about 500 €.

Railway

Also in rail traffic must drive vehicles that can or under its own power no longer move may be towed (from). Is the vehicle transporting to still operational, it is called drag, otherwise of tow. Most vehicles are fitted with screw couplings and can be towed by other rail vehicles Show with screw coupling. For this it is necessary to make the brake link on the coupling of the brake pipe adjacent to the mechanical connection between towed vehicle and a slow. In addition, it may be necessary or useful to couple other components such as main air reservoir pipe or train line.

However, unit trains such as the ICE or many transport railcars have central buffer couplings which are not compatible with the screw couplings. Order that these trains can be towed by normal locomotives, lead many of these vehicles with a Notkupplung, which produces a mechanical and pneumatic connection between Scharfenberg and screw coupling. This Notkupplung is deposited mostly in the engine room and can be installed within a short time by two people.

Agriculture

In agriculture it is when towing a mechanical action to level minor irregularities of grassland and manure residues of fertilizer in the spring to reduce the Erdbesatz in the feed. This purification leads to a better quality of silage production and avoids faulty fermentation. Through proper speed the turf is not violated. Once an intervention in the upper soil layer takes place, this is called currying.