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Texas Tow Truck Operator (Incident Management)
License ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED
ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES JUST RELEASED
Summarized Exam Coverage – Texas Tow Truck Operator (Incident Management) License
The Texas Tow Truck Operator (Incident Management) license exam is administered by the Texas
Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) . Key areas include:
• Regulatory Framework: The Texas Towing and Booting Act (Chapter 2308 of the Occupations
Code) establishes regulations for towing and booting operations in Texas . TDLR rules (Chapter
86) provide additional operational standards .
• License Types: Incident Management (IM) License – required to operate a tow truck permitted
under Section 2308.103 . Consent Tow (CT) and Private Property (PP) licenses have more
limited scopes .
• Eligibility Requirements: Must hold a valid driver's license issued by a U.S. state and be certified
by an approved program (e.g., TRAA TROCP) .
• Licensing Process: Submit TDLR application, pay fees (varies by license type, typically 150-300),
pass criminal background check, pass certification test, and pay annual renewal fee ($100) .
• Insurance Requirements: Texas law mandates liability insurance (covering damages) and cargo
insurance (protecting towed vehicles) .
• Safety & PPE: Reflective vests meeting ANSI/ISEA standards are required when working outside
the tow truck on roads . Amber warning lights are mandated for tow trucks .
• Equipment Regulations: Tow trucks must have legible manufacturer's date plates indicating
capacity of boom, winch, and carry mechanism. Hydraulic lines must be leak-free. Winches must
not exceed boom capacity .
• Move Over/Slow Down Law: Texas requires drivers to reduce speed by 20 mph below the
posted limit if unable to change lanes when passing emergency vehicles with flashing lights .
• Vehicle Dimensions: Maximum legal width without special permit is 8 feet 6 inches .
• Towing Vehicle Classifications:
o Light Duty: GVWR up to 26,000 pounds
o Medium Duty: Class 6 (19,501-26,000 lbs, 6+ tires)
o Heavy Duty: Class 7 (26,000-33,000 lbs, 6+ tires) and Class 8 (33,001+ lbs, 10+ tires)
• Traffic Incident Management (TIM): Towing operators are integral members of the incident
management team. Responsibilities include clearing incident zones quickly to reduce secondary
crashes .
• Incident Classification (TxDOT) : Minor (≤60 minutes), Intermediate (60 min-4 hours), Major (>4
hours, involving fatalities, hazmat, or road closures) .
• Secondary Crashes: Approximately 18% of traffic deaths result from secondary crashes .
• MUTCD Regulations: TxDOT follows MUTCD guidelines for signs, cones, scene securement .
• Compliance & Disciplinary Actions: Violations of TDLR rules can result in fines up to $1,000 per
violation. License suspension or revocation may occur for repeated violations, fraud, or failure
to maintain insurance.
• Annual Renewal & CE Requirements: Licenses must be renewed annually. IM operators must
complete a professional development course. Consent and private property operators must
complete 4 hours of continuing education each year .
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1. A motorist is stranded on I-35 with a flat tire. The motorist calls a towing company and agrees to be
towed. What type of tow is this?
A) Incident management tow
B) Private property tow
C) Consent tow
D) Non-consent tow
Answer: C — When a vehicle owner requests and agrees to a tow, it is a consent tow. Incident
management tows are typically from accident scenes at the request of law enforcement.
2. Which Texas agency is directly responsible for issuing the Incident Management Tow Truck Operator
license?
A) Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT)
B) Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)
C) Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR)
D) Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)
Answer: C — The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) oversees the licensing of tow
truck operators in Texas .
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3. What color warning lights are required on incident management tow trucks operating in Texas?
A) Blue
B) Red
C) Amber
D) Green
Answer: C — Amber warning lights are mandated for tow trucks in Texas to alert other drivers .
4. An IM tow truck operator arrives at an accident scene on a highway. What is the FIRST action the
operator should take?
A) Immediately hook up the disabled vehicle
B) Turn on emergency lights and assess the scene for safety
C) Direct traffic around the accident
D) Call dispatch for further instructions
Answer: B — Scene safety assessment is the first priority to protect yourself, other responders, and the
public .
5. Under Texas law, what is the maximum legal width for a tow truck load without a special permit?
A) 8 feet
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B) 8 feet 6 inches
C) 9 feet
D) 10 feet
Answer: B — Texas sets the maximum legal vehicle width at 8 feet 6 inches without a special permit .
6. An IM tow truck operator is working on a multi-vehicle accident on I-10. An approaching driver fails to
move over and passes the scene at 70 mph in a 70 mph zone. What is required by the Texas Move
Over/Slow Down law?
A) Reduce speed to 50 mph (20 mph below posted)
B) Reduce speed to 55 mph
C) No action required if the shoulder is occupied
D) Stop until the emergency vehicles pass
Answer: A — Texas law requires reducing speed to 20 mph below the posted limit if you cannot change
lanes .
7. What is the primary purpose of an Incident Management tow truck operator?
A) Enforce traffic laws
B) Assist with vehicle repairs on site
Texas Tow Truck Operator (Incident Management)
License ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED
ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES JUST RELEASED
Summarized Exam Coverage – Texas Tow Truck Operator (Incident Management) License
The Texas Tow Truck Operator (Incident Management) license exam is administered by the Texas
Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) . Key areas include:
• Regulatory Framework: The Texas Towing and Booting Act (Chapter 2308 of the Occupations
Code) establishes regulations for towing and booting operations in Texas . TDLR rules (Chapter
86) provide additional operational standards .
• License Types: Incident Management (IM) License – required to operate a tow truck permitted
under Section 2308.103 . Consent Tow (CT) and Private Property (PP) licenses have more
limited scopes .
• Eligibility Requirements: Must hold a valid driver's license issued by a U.S. state and be certified
by an approved program (e.g., TRAA TROCP) .
• Licensing Process: Submit TDLR application, pay fees (varies by license type, typically 150-300),
pass criminal background check, pass certification test, and pay annual renewal fee ($100) .
• Insurance Requirements: Texas law mandates liability insurance (covering damages) and cargo
insurance (protecting towed vehicles) .
• Safety & PPE: Reflective vests meeting ANSI/ISEA standards are required when working outside
the tow truck on roads . Amber warning lights are mandated for tow trucks .
• Equipment Regulations: Tow trucks must have legible manufacturer's date plates indicating
capacity of boom, winch, and carry mechanism. Hydraulic lines must be leak-free. Winches must
not exceed boom capacity .
• Move Over/Slow Down Law: Texas requires drivers to reduce speed by 20 mph below the
posted limit if unable to change lanes when passing emergency vehicles with flashing lights .
• Vehicle Dimensions: Maximum legal width without special permit is 8 feet 6 inches .
• Towing Vehicle Classifications:
o Light Duty: GVWR up to 26,000 pounds
o Medium Duty: Class 6 (19,501-26,000 lbs, 6+ tires)
o Heavy Duty: Class 7 (26,000-33,000 lbs, 6+ tires) and Class 8 (33,001+ lbs, 10+ tires)
• Traffic Incident Management (TIM): Towing operators are integral members of the incident
management team. Responsibilities include clearing incident zones quickly to reduce secondary
crashes .
• Incident Classification (TxDOT) : Minor (≤60 minutes), Intermediate (60 min-4 hours), Major (>4
hours, involving fatalities, hazmat, or road closures) .
• Secondary Crashes: Approximately 18% of traffic deaths result from secondary crashes .
• MUTCD Regulations: TxDOT follows MUTCD guidelines for signs, cones, scene securement .
• Compliance & Disciplinary Actions: Violations of TDLR rules can result in fines up to $1,000 per
violation. License suspension or revocation may occur for repeated violations, fraud, or failure
to maintain insurance.
• Annual Renewal & CE Requirements: Licenses must be renewed annually. IM operators must
complete a professional development course. Consent and private property operators must
complete 4 hours of continuing education each year .
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1. A motorist is stranded on I-35 with a flat tire. The motorist calls a towing company and agrees to be
towed. What type of tow is this?
A) Incident management tow
B) Private property tow
C) Consent tow
D) Non-consent tow
Answer: C — When a vehicle owner requests and agrees to a tow, it is a consent tow. Incident
management tows are typically from accident scenes at the request of law enforcement.
2. Which Texas agency is directly responsible for issuing the Incident Management Tow Truck Operator
license?
A) Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT)
B) Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)
C) Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR)
D) Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)
Answer: C — The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) oversees the licensing of tow
truck operators in Texas .
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3. What color warning lights are required on incident management tow trucks operating in Texas?
A) Blue
B) Red
C) Amber
D) Green
Answer: C — Amber warning lights are mandated for tow trucks in Texas to alert other drivers .
4. An IM tow truck operator arrives at an accident scene on a highway. What is the FIRST action the
operator should take?
A) Immediately hook up the disabled vehicle
B) Turn on emergency lights and assess the scene for safety
C) Direct traffic around the accident
D) Call dispatch for further instructions
Answer: B — Scene safety assessment is the first priority to protect yourself, other responders, and the
public .
5. Under Texas law, what is the maximum legal width for a tow truck load without a special permit?
A) 8 feet
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B) 8 feet 6 inches
C) 9 feet
D) 10 feet
Answer: B — Texas sets the maximum legal vehicle width at 8 feet 6 inches without a special permit .
6. An IM tow truck operator is working on a multi-vehicle accident on I-10. An approaching driver fails to
move over and passes the scene at 70 mph in a 70 mph zone. What is required by the Texas Move
Over/Slow Down law?
A) Reduce speed to 50 mph (20 mph below posted)
B) Reduce speed to 55 mph
C) No action required if the shoulder is occupied
D) Stop until the emergency vehicles pass
Answer: A — Texas law requires reducing speed to 20 mph below the posted limit if you cannot change
lanes .
7. What is the primary purpose of an Incident Management tow truck operator?
A) Enforce traffic laws
B) Assist with vehicle repairs on site
