What to Keep in Mind When Towing?

A breakdown usually comes without warning — and suddenly the question arises: can I tow the vehicle myself, or do I need professional help? Every driver should know what to keep in mind when towing, because mistakes can be expensive and dangerous.

In this guide, you’ll learn everything about the relevant traffic regulations, technical particulars for automatic and electric vehicles, and the safety aspects that matter most when towing. The article applies to cars, motorcycles, and modern vehicles with a start button or driver assistance systems. We’ll also clear up cost traps and show when calling roadside assistance is the better choice.

The 5 most important points when towing
What to do in a breakdown
Traffic regulations and legal requirements
Technical particulars: manual, automatic, dual-clutch
Towing electric and hybrid vehicles
Hazard lights, lighting, and communication
Motorcycles and special cases
Costs, roadside assistance, and professional help
Conclusion

The 5 most important points: what you absolutely must know when towing

Before you tow a car, you should know the basic rules. These five points summarize what to keep in mind when towing:

1) Only tow in a genuine breakdown or fault: Towing a vehicle is only permitted when the car is not roadworthy on site and can’t be repaired immediately. An empty tank or missing registration doesn’t justify towing — fines of up to 70 euros and a point in Flensburg can result.

2) Follow traffic regulation requirements: The recommended maximum speed is 50 km/h, ideally just 20 km/h. Both vehicles must have their hazard lights on for the entire towing process. On a motorway, the pair must leave at the next exit without delay.

3) Use suitable equipment: An approved tow rope or tow bar with sufficient load capacity is mandatory. The distance between the vehicles must not exceed 5 meters. With ropes, the middle must be clearly marked with a red flag or cloth.

4) Only tow roadworthy vehicles: The towed vehicle must have working brakes, steering, and lights. The driver of the towed car needs a valid license of the appropriate class.

5) Watch out for modern technology: Special rules apply to vehicles with automatic transmission, dual-clutch transmission, or an electric motor. Towing these incorrectly can cause expensive drivetrain damage.

When am I even allowed to tow a car?

The question of “when” is crucial, since not every situation justifies towing. Here are the clear criteria:

Allowed: Engine damage, an electrical fault, transmission damage, accident damage, or other technical faults that make it impossible to continue driving
Allowed: Driving directly to the nearest suitable workshop or a safe parking spot
Not allowed: “Convenience towing” because of a missing roadworthiness certificate, expired registration, or no insurance
Not allowed: Transport over long distances — towing should be limited to the shortest possible route

If you’re unsure about the condition of the vehicle or the correct procedure, it’s best to contact a towing service or automobile club. A professional roadside assistance provider can assess on site whether attempting a tow is safe.

Who’s allowed to tow, and which vehicle is suitable?

In principle, any adult driver with a valid license may tow another motor vehicle. However, there are important restrictions:

The towing vehicle must have enough power and weight to move the load safely
The towed car should be registered and have working steering and brakes
Both drivers must be able to control their vehicles throughout the entire process
Without the right license class, towing can be treated as driving without a license

For liability and safety reasons, private individuals should call a professional whenever in doubt; for heavy-duty traffic, for example, a specialized truck towing and emergency service is available. Responsibility for damage to the towed vehicle or for accidents lies with the vehicle’s owner and driver.

What to do in a breakdown before towing begins

Before the actual towing process begins, you need to secure the situation. The correct sequence, from breaking down to starting the tow, can save lives:

Secure the vehicle: If possible, steer the car immediately onto the shoulder, into a parking bay, or into a parking lot
Turn on the hazard lights: Activate immediately, and use the parking lights as well if it’s dark
Exit the vehicle: All occupants exit on the side facing away from traffic
Put on a hi-vis vest: In Germany, at least one hi-vis vest per vehicle is mandatory
Find a safe spot: Wait behind the crash barrier or well away from the road
Set up the warning triangle:
In town: approx. 50 m behind the vehicle
Outside town: approx. 100 m behind the vehicle
On a motorway: 150–200 m behind the vehicle
In town: approx. 50 m behind the vehicle
Outside town: approx. 100 m behind the vehicle
On a motorway: 150–200 m behind the vehicle

Before attempting any tow, you should determine whether a safe location can even be reached without professional help.

Special caution on the motorway

Breakdowns on the motorway are among the most dangerous situations in road traffic. Special rules apply to everyone involved:

If possible, the vehicle must be parked on the hard shoulder with the hazard lights on
Everyone must move behind the crash barrier immediately and get away from traffic
Contact emergency services or roadside assistance by phone or via an emergency call post
Private towing on the motorway is only allowed to reach the next exit
If the lane is blocked or in serious accidents, only the police and professional towing services may act

Towing on the motorway carries significant risk, since the towed vehicle has no engine power and therefore no full power assistance for steering and braking.

Traffic regulations: what’s legally required when towing?

The legal basis for towing is found in § 15a of the German road traffic regulations (StVO). These provisions were made more specific with the 2013 StVO amendment and apply to all private towing operations:

Rule	Requirement
Permitted purpose	Only to the nearest workshop or exit
Maximum speed	Recommended max. 50 km/h, better 20 km/h
Hazard lights	On continuously on both vehicles
Motorway	Entering with a defective vehicle is forbidden
Exit	The next exit must be taken without delay
Violating these rules can lead to fines and also has consequences under insurance law. Entering the motorway with an already defective vehicle is fundamentally prohibited.

Requirements for the connection: rope, bar, and marking

The connection between the two vehicles is subject to clear requirements:

Only approved tow ropes or tow bars with sufficient load capacity are permitted
The maximum distance between the vehicles must not exceed 5 meters — this ensures sufficient reaction and braking distance
The tow rope or tow bar must be clearly marked, for example with a red cloth or a built-in marker
The connection must be attached straight, not diagonally
Only the towing eyes specified in the vehicle manual may be used

A tow bar is generally safer than a rope, since it guides the rear vehicle and helps prevent rear-end collisions. A rope, on the other hand, demands more attention from the driver of the towed car.

The close-up shows the correct attachment of a tow rope to a vehicle's towing eye — an important point to keep in mind when towing. The connection between the tow rope and the car is secure and stable, ensuring a smooth towing process.

Fines and possible consequences for violations

Violating the towing rules isn’t just dangerous, it’s also costly:

20 euro fine: For not leaving the motorway at the next exit while towing
20 euro fine: For entering the motorway with a defective vehicle
70 euros and 1 point: For towing an unregistered or uninsured vehicle

In cases of gross negligence or accident consequences, additional points in Flensburg and significantly higher penalties are possible. In the event of a claim, insurers can reduce or completely deny coverage if towing violated the rules.

Technical particulars: manual gearbox, automatic, dual-clutch

The differences between classic manual vehicles and modern transmissions are crucial when towing. Handling this incorrectly can cause expensive follow-on damage.

Important: Always consult the vehicle manual before towing!

Vehicles with manual transmission:

Put the gear into neutral
Turn the ignition to the “accessory” position, so steering and, if applicable, power assistance work
Release the handbrake
Relatively easy to tow

Vehicles with automatic transmission:

Put the shifter into N (Neutral)
Only allow short towing distances
Insufficient oil supply can cause transmission damage
Maximum 50 km at 50 km/h

Vehicles with dual-clutch transmission:

Especially sensitive to towing
Insufficient oil supply quickly leads to expensive follow-on damage
Strictly follow the manufacturer’s instructions
When in doubt: transport on a flatbed tow truck

If it’s unclear whether the manufacturer allows it, transport on a flatbed tow vehicle is always safer than pulling with a rope.

Vehicles with an electronic start button and immobilizer

Modern vehicles without a classic ignition lock present particular challenges:

Without the electronics on, power steering is often unavailable
The brake booster may not function
The hazard lights can’t be activated
The steering wheel lock may be engaged

Many of these vehicles have a special towing mode that must be activated according to the owner’s manual. If the onboard electronics have failed completely, you should always call roadside assistance or a towing service — safe towing is then hardly possible.

Towing electric and hybrid vehicles

A clear rule applies to electric cars: in most cases, these vehicles should not be towed conventionally, but loaded instead. The risks are considerable:

The electric motor acts as a generator while rolling and can generate dangerously high voltages
Without active vehicle control, damage to the high-voltage system can occur
Regenerative braking can feed energy into the battery uncontrolled
Overheating of the high-voltage battery is possible

The same safety guidance applies to plug-in hybrids and full hybrids. For electric or hybrid vehicles, you should always contact roadside assistance and, when in doubt, only have the vehicle moved by a transporter or specialized tow vehicle.

Special safety around the high-voltage system

The high-voltage system in electric vehicles requires special precautions:

Untrained people must not touch connectors, orange cables, or the high-voltage battery
After an accident, specialized high-voltage teams or trained towing services should be used
Improper towing of electric cars can be not just expensive, but life-threatening
Even seemingly intact vehicles may have internal damage

Using a regular tow rope on an electric vehicle can cause irreparable damage to the drive system.

Hazard lights, lighting, and communication while towing

Visibility to other road users is critical to the safety of everyone involved while towing.

Mandatory measures:

Both vehicles turn on their hazard lights at the start of the tow
In darkness or poor visibility, all required lights must work and be switched on
If the towed vehicle’s electrics are faulty, a professional towing service is required

Communication between the drivers:

Agree on a clear communication system before setting off
Options: hands-free phone, pre-agreed hand signals, headlight flashing
The driver of the rear vehicle constantly watches the brake lights and turn signals of the vehicle ahead

Nothing is more dangerous than poor coordination between the two drivers while towing.

Driving behavior in a towing pair

A towing pair needs to move calmly and predictably. Here are the most important tips for both drivers:

Pull away gently: Absolutely avoid jerking the rope
Keep a constant distance: Especially important on downhill stretches
Brake actively: The rear vehicle brakes along to keep the rope taut
Drive with anticipation: It’s not just the front car that slows the pair down
Avoid maneuvers: Sudden lane changes, tight curves, and abrupt movements are off-limits
Adjust speed: When in doubt, drive slower

The route to the workshop should be well planned — avoid motorways, steep mountain roads, and narrow city centers wherever possible.

Towing motorcycles and other special cases

Fundamentally different rules apply to two-wheelers than to a normal car. Towing motorcycles with a rope or bar is generally prohibited under § 15a para. 4 StVO.

Reasons for the ban:

The single-track design makes towing unstable
There’s no mechanical fallback
Risk of tipping over or veering off

Permitted transport methods for motorcycles:

A trailer with suitable tie-downs
A van with a motorcycle mount
A specialized motorcycle tow vehicle

In the event of a breakdown, motorcyclists should contact a specialized roadside assistance provider or automobile club directly. For freight transport, a Europe-wide networked 24/7 truck breakdown assistance service offers fast support. Special towing conditions, set by the respective manufacturer, often also apply to motorhomes, trailers, or small vans.

Safety precautions for everyone involved

Regardless of vehicle type, these protective measures apply:

Everyone wears a hi-vis vest
No one stands between the two vehicles — not even briefly
Children or pets may not ride in the towed vehicle if they can’t be properly secured
Passengers should, where possible, leave the towing pair and wait at a safe location
Check the connection and all towing eyes for a secure fit before every drive

A warning triangle is set up on a road, with a broken-down vehicle visible in the background. This situation illustrates important points to keep in mind when towing vehicles, such as the safety of road users and the use of a tow rope or tow bar.

Costs, roadside assistance, and when to call a professional

Private towing attempts aren’t always cheaper or safer than a professional service. The cost of a towing service depends on several factors:

Factor	Effect on towing costs
Distance	The longer, the more expensive
Time of day	Surcharges at night and on weekends
Vehicle type	Electric cars and heavy vehicles cost more
Effort	Recovery from difficult terrain costs more
Benefits of automobile club membership:

Often free or discounted towing services
24/7 roadside assistance
Europe-wide coverage, depending on the plan
Legal advice in the event of accidents

Check your insurance terms and roadside assistance coverage before a breakdown happens. Many auto insurance policies offer a roadside assistance package that covers breakdown help and towing costs.

For electric cars, extensive electronics faults, or locked wheels, a professional is virtually always required. A compliant, professional towing service is usually cheaper than risky DIY attempts that lead to expensive follow-on vehicle damage.

Checklist: when you’d better not tow it yourself

In these situations, you should always call a professional towing service:

❌ The brakes, steering, or lights of the defective vehicle don’t work reliably
❌ It’s an electric, hybrid, or modern automatic vehicle with unclear manufacturer guidance
❌ You’re unsure about the correct use of the tow rope, bar, or attachment points
❌ The breakdown happens on a motorway, expressway, or in a hard-to-see area
❌ The driver of the towed car has little driving experience or has never towed a vehicle before
❌ The route to the nearest workshop is long or leads through difficult terrain
❌ The ignition lock or start button no longer works

FAQ

How fast can you drive while towing? The recommended maximum speed is 50 km/h, but experts advise a maximum of 20 km/h for better control.

Does the towed vehicle need to be registered? Yes, towing an unregistered or uninsured vehicle is illegal and is punished with a 70 euro fine and one point.

Can I tow an automatic vehicle? Only over short distances and in N. Always consult the vehicle manual, since insufficient oil supply can cause transmission damage.

What does a professional towing service cost? Costs vary depending on distance, time of day, and vehicle type. Automobile club members often get free service.

Conclusion: tow safely — or have it towed safely

There’s a lot to keep in mind when towing: from the legal requirements of the traffic regulations, to the right equipment, to the special demands of modern vehicle technology. Safety, clear communication between drivers, and strict adherence to all rules always take priority over time or cost pressure.

Modern vehicle technology — whether automatic transmission, electric drive, or complex driver assistance systems — often makes DIY towing riskier than it used to be. Before a possible breakdown, you should familiarize yourself with your vehicle manual, your emergency equipment, and the contact details of roadside assistance providers.

When in doubt: a professional towing service is the better solution for people, vehicles, and the safety of all road users. The perceived savings from towing yourself are not worth the potential damage and danger.