Stage 2 Course Content 13 — Towing

• How to tow broken-down vehicles, etc.
• Restrictions on towing

In order to tow another vehicle, both the towing automobile and the vehicle being towed must have a towing structure and device.

However, if it is unavoidable due to breakdown, etc., you may tow the broken-down vehicle using a rope, crane, etc., since leaving a broken-down vehicle on the road may cause a rear-end collision accident and is very dangerous.

Towing vehicle: An automobile with a structure and device for towing

Towed vehicle: A vehicle with a structure and device for being towed

Reference — Towing license

When towing another vehicle with large, medium-sized, semi-medium-sized, or regular automobiles or heavy special equipment with a towing structure and device, the driver needs to have a towing license as well as a license for the particular type of vehicle being used for towing.

	Towing license is required	Towing license is not required
License needed	License for the towing automobile + Towing license	License for the towing automobile only
When	When towing a vehicle with a vehicle gross weight exceeding 750 kg (Full trailer, Semi-trailer)	When towing a vehicle with a vehicle gross weight of 750 kg or less (Camping trailer, Boat trailer)
		When towing a broken-down vehicle (Towing using a rope, etc. / Towing by a wrecker)

(Refer to p. 107)

1. How to Tow Broken-Down Vehicles, etc.

1. Towing a Broken-Down Vehicle Using a Rope, etc.

When towing a broken-down vehicle, etc., you must observe the following instructions.

1. Keep a safe distance (within 5 m) between the towing automobile and the broken-down vehicle (or, when towing 2 vehicles, between each vehicle).
2. The vehicles must be tied securely to each other by a strong rope, etc., and a white cloth (square with sides 0.3 m or more) must be attached to the rope.
3. In doing so, have a person who has a license that permits driving of the broken-down vehicle ride it and operate the steering wheel, etc.

Attention — Points to note when towing using a rope

Start the engine of the broken-down vehicle

• Without the engine started, the power steering doesn't work.
• Without the engine started, the brakes do not work effectively.
• Put the gear in neutral.

Points to note when traveling

• When you drive a preceding vehicle, keep in mind that there is a following vehicle within 5 m and drive while maintaining a constant speed and distance between vehicles.
• Drive the preceding vehicle slowly.
• Keep the rope taut.

2. When a Broken-Down Vehicle Is Towed with the Front or Rear Wheels Raised

When a broken-down vehicle is towed with its front or rear wheels lifted by a crane, etc., or with its front or rear wheels put on the rear section of the towing vehicle, you must observe the following instructions.

1. Lift the front or rear wheels of a broken-down vehicle with a towing vehicle's crane, etc., or put the front or rear wheels on the rear section of the towing vehicle, and then secure the broken-down vehicle firmly at the position using a rope, etc.
2. When towing with the rear wheels raised, secure the steering wheel of the broken-down vehicle so that its front wheels are in parallel with the center line of the vehicle.

• Towing with the front wheels raised
• Towing with the rear wheels raised

(Fix the steering wheel of the broken-down vehicle so that its front wheels are in parallel with the center line of the vehicle. In some vehicle types, the steering wheel is designed to be locked automatically by key locking.)

2. Restrictions on Towing

When towing another vehicle, the following limits must not be exceeded. However, if the Public Safety Commission grants permission for a vehicle to tow another vehicle specifying the road or limiting the timeframe, these limits may be exceeded.

① The limit on the number of vehicles

• When a large motorcycle, regular motorcycle, or light special equipment tows another vehicle ················ 1 vehicle
• When a large automobile, medium-sized automobile, semi-medium-sized automobile, regular automobile, or heavy special equipment tows another vehicle ················ 2 vehicles

② The limit on length

The length from the front end of the towing vehicle to the rear end of the vehicle being towed ······ Within 25 m

Reference — Maximum speed limits when towing another vehicle

When towing another vehicle	Legally designated speed limit
When a vehicle equipped with a towing structure and device tows another vehicle equipped with a structure and device for being towed (Trailer)	60 km/h
Other than described in the above column, when a vehicle with the gross weight of 2,000 kg or less is towed by a vehicle with the gross weight three times greater or more the towed vehicle	40 km/h
Other than described in the columns above and below, when a vehicle tows a broken-down vehicle	30 km/h
When towing two-wheeled carts, etc. using a light two-wheeled vehicle or general motorized bicycle	25 km/h

(Refer to p. 72)

Let's Try — Course Content 13 — Check your understanding with right/wrong questions.

(See page 275 for answers.)

1. When towing a broken-down vehicle using a rope, the towing vehicle and the vehicle being towed must be securely tied with a strong rope or similar, and a white, square cloth with sides 30 cm or greater must be attached to the rope in a visible place.
2. A broken-down general vehicle being towed by a rope has no functions as a vehicle, so a person without a driver's license may be at the wheel of the vehicle.
3. When towing two broken-down vehicles without raising wheels, a 5-meter rope must be used to tow the first vehicle, and a 10-meter rope must be used to tow the second vehicle.
4. When towing a broken-down vehicle with a general vehicle using a rope, the distance between the towing vehicle and the broken-down vehicle must be maintained within 5 m.

(正: right, 誤: wrong)