Towing via the highway; applying for a special permit

In cases of emergency assistance, towing is generally not subject to authorization. The towing unit must leave the highway at the next junction. Entering the highway is not permitted. A special permit is required for towing via the highway. This can be applied for in particular by companies that specialize in towing and have suitable emergency vehicles available for this purpose.

Towing is when an inoperable vehicle is to be taken out of service or to the nearest suitable repair or parking location. This is based on the idea of emergency assistance. A vehicle can no longer move under its own power due to an accident or a technical defect and is to be removed from the public road. In these cases of emergency assistance, towing is generally not subject to authorization. For safety reasons, the towing unit must leave the highway at the next junction (see Section 15 a of the Road Traffic Regulations). If a vehicle breaks down outside the highway, it may not be driven onto the highway.

An exemption permit, often referred to as a "towing permit", is required for cases where the vehicle is to be towed onto the high way. It may be required in particular for commercial operators who can guarantee safe and professional towing, i.e. who specialize in towing and have suitable emergency vehicles available for this purpose.

The permanent exemption permit is granted for towing up to 150 km of freeway, whereby the area of validity is limited to Bavaria. It is to be limited to a maximum period of three years.

In special cases, an individual exemption permit can also be issued (beyond this).

• Reliability of the towing company, in particular no violations (criminal offenses or administrative offenses) in connection with traffic regulations and
• to the knowledge of the issuing authority, the company must have sufficient experience in recovery and towing.

• Expert opinion for recovery and towing based on the Bavarian Towing Directive (ARB)