New South Wales Consolidated Regulations

ROAD RULES 2014 - REG 294-3

294-3 NSW rule: towing restrictions generally

(1) A driver must not drive a motor vehicle (the
"towing vehicle" ) having attached to its rear for the purpose of being towed any other vehicle that is not a trailer (the
"towed vehicle" ) unless the following conditions are satisfied--

(a) the space between the 2 vehicles does not exceed 4 metres or, if either of the vehicles is a motor bike, 3 metres,

(b) if the towed vehicle is a motor vehicle--(except as provided in paragraphs (c) and (d))--

(i) a person licensed to drive the towed vehicle is in charge of the towed vehicle to control it so far as the condition of its brakes or mechanism will permit and to prevent accident to any person on the road, or

(ii) the vehicle is authorised under subrule (3) to be towed without a person licensed to drive the towed vehicle in charge of it and the conditions of the authorisation are strictly complied with,

(c) if the towing vehicle is a tow truck and the towed vehicle is a motor vehicle that is lifted partially clear of the ground and is securely connected to the tow truck--

(iv) the brakes of the towed vehicle, where the weight of that vehicle (including any loading) exceeds 6 tonnes or exceeds the unladen weight of the tow truck, are interconnected with the braking system of the tow truck and are capable of independent operation by the driver of the tow truck, and

(v) all of the weight of the towed vehicle is released from the lifting hook or other lifting device, and

(vi) the combination of the tow truck (if it is being driven on a road) and the towed vehicle is driven at a speed not exceeding 80 kilometres per hour,

(d) the towing vehicle is not a motor bike and the towed vehicle is a motor bike the front wheel of which is lifted clear of the ground and is rigidly connected to the towing vehicle,

(e) if the 2 vehicles are joined by means of a rope, chain or wire--there is displayed between the vehicles a red flag or other suitable object so as to be clearly visible as a warning of danger,

(f) an illuminated light is attached at night to that portion of the towed vehicle that faces any following vehicle (in the centre of that portion or to the right-hand or off side of the centre) and shows a clear red light so that it will be distinctly visible to the driver of any following vehicle and, if the 2 vehicles are joined by means of a rope, chain or wire, a bright white light is projected by a light or lights attached to the towed vehicle so that it will render clearly visible any flag or other object displayed in accordance with paragraph (e),

(g) if the towed vehicle is not constructed to be propelled by mechanical means--it is fastened with the shafts or pole of it in actual contact with the towing vehicle.

: Maximum penalty--20 penalty units.

Note :
"Motor bike" ,
"motor vehicle" ,
"tow truck" and
"trailer" are defined in the Dictionary and
"vehicle" is defined in rule 15.

(2) The requirements of subrule (1)(f) are in addition to the requirements of these Rules relating to lights on motor vehicles in respect of the towing vehicle.

(3) For the purposes of subrule (1)(b)(ii), a vehicle may be authorised to be towed without a person licensed to drive the towed vehicle in charge of it if--

(a) the driver of the towing vehicle is given written permission (whether with or without conditions) to tow the towed vehicle without a person licensed to drive the towed vehicle in charge of it--

(i) by Transport for NSW, or

(ii) by a police officer (but only in the case of an emergency), or

(b) the towed vehicle belongs to a class of vehicles exempted from the requirement that the vehicle be towed with a person licensed to drive the towed vehicle in charge of the vehicle by a notice published in the Gazette by Transport for NSW (whether with or without conditions).

(4) Despite any other provision of these Rules, no light must be displayed on a motor vehicle that is being towed so as to be visible to the driver of any following vehicle other than--

(a) as provided by subrule (1)(f), or

(b) light from any clearance, side marker or rear light required or permitted by the applicable vehicle standards law to be fitted to the vehicle.

Note : This rule is an additional NSW road rule. There is no corresponding rule in the Australian Road Rules .