Is it illegal to flat tow a car in Victoria?

Heard whispers that flat towing’s a legal grey area in Victoria? You’re not wrong. We’ve seen all sorts — from DIY tow rope jobs that ended in busted oil pans, to blokes trying to drag an unregistered ute up the Monash during peak hour. So, is it illegal to flat tow a car in Victoria? The short answer: mostly, yeah — unless you’ve ticked a whole checklist of towing laws VIC authorities expect you to follow.

We’ll break it all down — from A-frame towing to tow bars and ball coupling limits — and explain when it’s legal, when it’s dodgy, and why calling a professional towing service might just save you cash, your licence, and your sanity.

Flat Towing in Victoria

Here in Victoria, flat towing — where the towed vehicle rolls behind the towing vehicle with all four wheels on the road — is mostly illegal unless you meet some seriously tight requirements.

• It’s an unregistered vehicle
• It doesn’t have a functioning braking system
• The tow bar and safety chains aren’t ADR-compliant
• The vehicle’s steering mechanism doesn’t lock or track straight
• You don’t have the proper A-frame or triangular-shaped metal drawbar installed
• The combo exceeds legal overall length, tow capacity, or towing mass limits

Basically, if you’re thinking a tow rope and a couple of mates will do the trick, think again. That stunt might fly in the paddock, but on a public road? Expect a date with Victoria Police or a stint in one of Melbourne’s many impound lots.

When Is It Legal?

There’s one scenario where flat towing can be legal in Victoria: using an A-frame towing setup that’s been built to Australian Design Rules, fitted correctly, and used with a registered, roadworthy vehicle.

And if you’re towing a heavy vehicle? You might also need a VASS Approval Certificate and must respect Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) and Tare Weight rules.

The Dodgy Stuff We See: Real Pickup Stories

One time, we got called out to a roadside breakdown in Werribee. The bloke tried to flat tow a Subaru Forester with a busted steering rack using a tow rope and no warning material — no red flag, no tail lights, nothing. The car had a flat tire, no registration plate lamp, and the tow line snapped mid-turn.

Needless to say, it ended with the car nose-first in a ditch and a visit from VicRoads inspectors. The bloke would’ve saved himself a headache if he just rang Old Cars Removed in Melbourne — we do it the right way, without risking a fine or wrecked axle.

Rope Towing: Only in Emergencies

According to Victorian road rule legislation, towing a car using a tow rope or tow line is only allowed during emergencies, like car accidents, mechanical issues, or flat tires on the highway.

Even then, here’s the legal catch:

• Max speed: 25 km/h
• Max distance: Short as possible
• A red flag or warning lights must be attached to the rear
• Both drivers must hold a valid driver’s licence

If you’re trying to haul your cousin’s bombed-out Commodore back from Dandenong “just to save a few bucks,” this is not the way. You’ll breach Australian road rule legislation and could end up with fines or worse if there’s a crash.

VicRoads + Legislation

Under VicRoads and Transport Operations Road Use Management laws:

• The vehicle combination must not exceed design specs
• Braking, steering, and safety gear must be roadworthy
• Car towing without legal compliance = breach of multiple laws and regulations
• Using an unregistered vehicle as part of a tow combo is a no-go

Throw in the Transport Accident Commission’s insurance clause, and it gets uglier — if your illegal towing setup causes an incident, car insurance won’t cover you.

Towing Capacity, Costs & Hidden Dangers

You need to know your 4WD’s towing capacity — it’s not just what your 4WD can drag, it’s what it’s legally allowed to under your rego, suspension, and towbar specs. Exceed it, and you risk:

• Voiding your insurance
• Copping big fines
• Damaging the braking mechanisms, oil pan, or diff on both vehicles

Towing Costs

Thinking it’s cheaper to DIY tow a car with a rope? Add up the risks, and a tow truck ends up looking like a bargain — especially if you’re based in the southeast and looking for old car removals in Endeavour Hills or surrounding suburbs.

Best Option? Call a Pro

If your car’s cactus or sitting on a flat in the driveway — save yourself the grief. Here’s what we recommend:

• Book a Tow Truck
• Whether it’s a roadside breakdown, busted engine, or mechanical failures, a licensed towing company with trained operators is your safest bet.

Call Old Cars Removed in Melbourne — we do more than just removals. We offer cash for cars across Melbourne, whether the thing’s been written off or just needs relocating. We use proper gear: licensed operators, ADR-rated tow bars, compliant safety chains, and correct vehicle registration checks.

Recycle That Rust Bucket
Unregistered, no rego plates, completely flat towed out? No dramas. We’ll take it off your hands, recycle it legally, and sort the paperwork. Easy as.

Legal Flat Towing Rules

Here’s your at-a-glance list of legal requirements:

• Tow bars and A-frame comply with ADR
• Safety chains, tow hitch, and ball coupling rated properly
• The secondary vehicle is roadworthy and registered
• Correct braking system setup, with synced tail lights
• Towing vehicle within its tow capacity
• Red flag or warning lights are used where required
• Not exceeding legal overall length
• Driver requirements fully met (licensed, not L-plate)
• Optional: Roadside Assistance coverage or VASS if applicable

Final Word

Yep — unless you meet all the legal requirements, and let’s be honest, most folks don’t. We’ve seen too many DIY setups end in disaster. If your car’s cooked, unregistered, or just plain uncooperative, get in touch.

We’ll tow it, pay you cash, and handle the headache. No red flag needed.

FAQ

Is it legal to flat tow with a rope in Victoria?

Only during emergencies like a car accident or mechanical failure, and even then, you’ll need proper flags, a low speed, and a full driver’s licence.

Can I flat tow a car with an A-frame from Western Australia into Victoria?

Not unless it meets state-based registration laws, is roadworthy, and doesn’t breach vehicle design standards.

Do I need a special licence to tow a vehicle?

Not always, but you must hold a full driver’s licence, and you need to know your towing mass limits. Going over? That’s illegal.

What’s the best legal way to move a dead car?

Use a tilt-tray towing service or contact a licensed crew like Old Cars Removed in Melbourne. We tow unregistered and wrecked vehicles legally — and we pay cash too.

Can towing impact my insurance?

Absolutely. If you’re flat-towing illegally and cause a crash, your car insurance might be void. Use licensed towing companies to stay covered.