Tow Truck Driver — On-the-job English
Study in your language — but on the job you'll speak English. These are the real phrases you actually say for this work, with a note in your language. Not a script; common situations workers report.
🔴 Crash-scene recovery / roadside injury
This is 911 — I'm on Route 40 near exit 12, there's a crash and someone's hurt.
Call 911 immediately and give the exact road, direction, and mile marker or exit.
I'm setting out flares and cones to protect the scene.
State that you're placing warning flares/cones to alert approaching traffic before you work near the vehicle.
Stay back from the roadway until it's secured.
Warn bystanders and vehicle occupants to stay clear of live traffic until the scene is safe.
The vehicle isn't stable — please don't get back in it.
Warn against re-entering a damaged or unstable vehicle before it's safely secured on the tow rig.
Getting the call from dispatch
Dispatch, what's the address and what am I towing?
Ask dispatch for the pickup address and the vehicle type before heading out.
Is this a repo, a roadside call, or a police tow?
Clarify the job type — it changes what paperwork and ID checks you'll need on scene.
On scene with the vehicle owner
I need your ID and the vehicle registration before I can hook it up.
Verify ownership before towing — standard practice to avoid towing the wrong vehicle or a disputed one.
Here's the estimated charge — mileage plus a hook-up fee.
State the price up front before the customer commits to the tow.
Please sign here authorizing the tow.
Get a signature or release authorizing you to move the vehicle.
At the scene with police (accident / impound)
Is this an impound, or is the owner taking it?
Clarify with the officer whether the vehicle goes to the impound lot or back to the owner.
Can I get a case number for my paperwork?
Ask for the police report/case number to include on your tow report.
Rig safety before towing
Let me double-check the safety chains before we move.
State that you're re-checking the safety chains — a required, safety-critical step before driving off.
This one needs a flatbed, not a hook — it's all-wheel drive.
Recognize when a wheel-lift/hook could damage the vehicle (e.g. all-wheel drive) and a flatbed is needed instead.