Wyoming Administrative Code
Agency 045 - Transportation, Dept. of
Sub-Agency 0004 - Motor Carrier
Chapter 1 - Motor Carriers
Section 1-6 - Towing and Recovery Vehicles

Universal Citation: WY Code of Rules 1-6

Current through September 21, 2024

(a) All tow and recovery vehicles shall meet all safety requirements as specified by federal and state regulations.

(b) All tow and recovery vehicles shall be inspected by the WHP and classified as follows:

(i) Class "A" tow and recovery vehicles shall have the following:
(A) A minimum gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 10,000 pounds;

(B) A minimum retracted boom capacity of 8,000 pounds, as rated by the manufacturer;

(C) An individual power take off (PTO) or a hydraulic power winch with a minimum rating of 8,000 pounds, as rated by the manufacturer, with a minimum of 100 feet of 3/8-inch independent wire cable or synthetic rope equivalent on the drum;

(D) A manufactured underlift with a minimum lifting capacity of 3,500 pounds when retracted and a minimum tow rating of 7,500 pounds, as rated by the manufacturer, with safety chains or synthetic rope equivalent; and

(E) Dual rear wheels.

(ii) Class "B" tow and recovery vehicles shall have the following:
(A) A towing vehicle chassis with a manufacturer's capacity of 21,000 pounds or greater GVWR;

(B) A minimum boom capacity of 24,000 pounds when retracted, as rated by the manufacturer;

(C) An individual PTO or a hydraulic power winch with a minimum rating of 12,000 pounds, as rated by the manufacturer, with a minimum of 150 feet of 7/16-inch independent wire cable or synthetic rope equivalent on the drum;

(D) A manufactured underlift with a tow rating of 20,000 pounds and a minimum lift rating of 9,000 pounds when retracted; and

(E) Light and brake hookups for towed vehicles when required for public safety.

(iii) Class "C" tow and recovery vehicles shall have the following:
(A) A minimum GVWR of 35,000 pounds;

(B) A boom with a minimum winch capacity of 40,000 pounds combined, as rated by the manufacturer;

(C) A minimum winch capacity of 40,000 pounds or double winch capacity of 20,000 pounds each with a minimum of 175 feet of 9/16-inch independent wire cable or synthetic rope equivalent on the drum or drums;

(D) Auxiliary air brake lines and hoses connected to buses, tractors, trailers, or other towed vehicles when required as a matter of public safety;

(E) A rear tandem axle or super single tires and wheels with tandem axle drive; and

(F) A minimum underlift tow rating of 26,000 pounds and a minimum lift rating of 24,000 pounds when retracted (if so equipped) or a tow sling or tow bar with a minimum rating of 24,000 pounds.

(iv) Class "L" tow and recovery vehicles shall have the following:
(A) A minimum GVWR of 18,000 pounds;

(B) A minimum individual boom capacity of 5,000 pounds, as rated by the manufacturer; and

(C) An individual PTO or a minimum hydraulic power winch capacity of 5,000 pounds, a minimum 75 feet of 3/8-inch cable or synthetic rope equivalent on the drum, or a manufactured wheel-lift with a minimum retracting lifting capacity of 3,500 pounds when retracted, or an "integrated boom" with a minimum lifting capacity of 3,500 pounds.

(v) Class "R" tow and recovery vehicles shall have the following:
(A) A minimum GVWR of 14,000 pounds or be originally designed and manufactured as a rollback;

(B) A minimum winch capacity of 8,000 pounds, as rated by the manufacturer, with a minimum 50 feet of 3/8-inch cable or synthetic rope equivalent on the drum; and

(C) A bed or box capable of carrying a vehicle with no part of the carried vehicle in contact with the roadway and a minimum bed load rating of 10,000 pounds.

(c) Lighting requirements.

(i) The following lighting shall be required and may be contained within a commercially manufactured light bar:
(A) A minimum of one red light, or a combination of red and blue lights, visible from the front and the rear during operation. These lights shall be used only as authorized by W.S. 31-5-102(a)(ii)(C) and W.S. W.S. 31-5-928(g).

(B) A minimum of two high-intensity amber lights contained in a light bar or a revolving amber light, an amber strobe light, or two-way flashing amber lights 4 inches in diameter. LED assemblies meeting the visibility requirements shall be allowed. These lights shall be clearly visible 1,000 feet from the front and rear of the vehicle and be mounted as high as practical.

(ii) Towed vehicles shall display working taillights, turn signals, and stop lights that shall be visible from the rear and controlled by the towing vehicle operator.

(d) All tow and recovery vehicles shall comply with the following requirements:

(i) All safety equipment prescribed by the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) Safety Regulations within the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 49, as adopted for commercial vehicles by WYDOT.

(ii) Equipment capable of removing glass and other debris as prescribed in W.S. 31-5-117(b).

(iii) Safety chains or synthetic rope adequate for securing a vehicle or vehicles with the working load limit applicable for the class of tow and recovery vehicle used.

(iv) Trailers used for recovery or removal operations shall:
(A) Not exceed the allowable loaded weight, as indicated by the manufacturer GVWR; and

(B) When pulled by a power unit in a recovery operation, have a power unit meeting the lighting and safety requirements specified in state or federal laws or regulations.

(v) Winches, wheel lifts, cradles, tow plates, tow slips, and booms shall be built by a manufacturer of such equipment and shall not be "homemade."

(vi) Tow and recovery vehicles equipped with fixed booms and/or "true-hitch" are not authorized for recovery operations.

(vii) Class "C" fifth-wheel attachments, including but not limited to "Quickswap," "Zacklift," or detachable tow units, shall not be authorized for WHP non-consensual rotation tows.

(viii) Come-a-longs, chains, or other similar devices shall not be used as substitutes for winch and cable.

(e) Restrictions.

(i) All tow and recovery vehicle operations shall comply with all traffic laws and regulations.

(ii) All persons engaged in towing and recovery within the federal-aid highway rights-of-way shall wear safety apparel meeting federal safety requirements for visibility.

(iii) All tow carriers operating in Wyoming shall notify the WHP Dispatch Communications Center before removing any vehicle on a state highway to verify that no other prior arrangements exist.

(iv) Motor carriers operating tow and recovery vehicles not meeting the requirements of these rules may be subject to Department disciplinary action resulting in, but not limited to, revoking or canceling the carrier's operating authority.

(v) All tow and recovery vehicles are subject to all applicable federal and state commercial vehicle statutes and rules and regulations.

(vi) The WHP has statutory authority to spot check any tow and recovery vehicle for registration, fuel licensing, letter of operating authority, weight violations, or commercial vehicle or driver inspections.

(vii) If directed by state statutes, tow and recovery vehicles shall stop at Wyoming ports-of-entry.

(viii) No tow and recovery vehicle operator shall transport, nor allow to be transported, any passengers in any vehicle towed, recovered, or hauled by a tow and recovery vehicle. Passengers from these vehicles being transported in the tow and recovery vehicle shall be considered authorized.

(ix) No operator, employee, or individual used by a tow and recovery carrier in a non-consensual tow and recovery operation shall be a member or affiliate of any federally identified criminal organization.

(f) Non-consensual towing and recovery.

(i) All non-consensual towing and recovery practices shall be in accordance with Department rules and regulations, all applicable state and federal laws and regulations, and the Wyoming Highway Patrol's Policies and Procedures on Rotational Tow and Recovery Operations Manual as set forth in Appendix B of this chapter.

(g) Letter of authority application.

(i) Before performing a tow and recovery service as either a private or contract motor carrier, the tow and recovery vehicle owner or lessee shall apply for and receive from WYDOT the appropriate letter of private or contract authority, or both. The application shall be submitted on forms the Department furnishes.

(ii) After receiving the application, but before issuing the letter of authority, the Department shall inspect the tow and recovery vehicle. A copy of the inspection shall be sent to the Regulatory Section to be placed in the carrier's file. To receive a letter of authority, the tow and recovery vehicle shall meet the specifications for the class requested, and the owner or lessee shall certify that the information furnished is correct.

(h) Inspection.

(i) In addition to any roadside inspections WHP initiates, as described in Section 6(e)(vi) of this chapter, the Department shall annually inspect and determine the condition of the tow and recovery vehicle and its equipment between January 1 and June 30. A copy of the inspection form shall be sent to the Regulatory Section to be placed in the carrier's file, and another copy shall be carried in the vehicle.

(ii) Tow and recovery vehicles not meeting rule requirements at the annual inspection or under inspections found in Section 6(e)(vi) of this chapter may have their letter of authority revoked and canceled.

(i) Special provisions.

(i) An emergency situation may arise to include, but not be limited to, the weather, or the size or location of the crash where the peace officer on scene is authorized to use any qualified or nonqualified equipment necessary. A rotational list or a special request for a specific tow and recovery carrier may be superseded in these situations.

(ii) Peace officers, while performing their duties, shall not be responsible to pay for services performed by tow and recovery vehicle operators.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Wyoming may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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