ARTICLE 3.5. Emergency Roadside Assistance [2435. - 2436.7.]

Cal. Vehicle Code - VEH 3.5.

in effect

Cal. Vehicle Code - VEH § 2435. Section 2435.

(a) The Legislature finds and declares that the emergency roadside assistance provided by highway service organizations is a valuable service that benefits millions of California motorists. The Legislature further finds and declares that emergency roadside assistance is provided statewide, in cooperation with, and shares resources with, public safety agencies. The Legislature also finds that the Department of the California Highway Patrol, in cooperation with the Department of Transportation, is responsible for the rapid removal of impediments to traffic on highways within the state and that the Department of the California Highway Patrol may enter into agreements with employers for freeway service patrol operations under an agreement or contract with a regional or local entity. The Legislature declares that it is important to the public safety that drivers who provide emergency roadside service not have criminal records that include violent crimes against persons. (b) The Legislature also declares that the Department of the California Highway Patrol, in cooperation with the Department of Transportation, shall be responsible for establishing the minimum training standards for highway service organization employees and employers who participate in freeway service patrol operations pursuant to an agreement or contract with a regional or local entity.

Cal. Vehicle Code - VEH § 2436. Section 2436.

For the purposes of this article, each of the following terms has the meaning given in this section: (a) “Emergency road service” is the adjustment, repair, or replacement by a highway service organization of the equipment, tires, or mechanical parts of a motor vehicle so as to permit it to be operated under its own power. “Towing service” is the drafting or moving by a highway service organization of a motor vehicle from one place to another under power other than its own. (b) “Emergency roadside assistance” means towing service or emergency road service. (c) “Employer” has the same meaning as defined in Section 2430.1. (d) “Freeway service patrol” has the same meaning as defined in Section 2561 of the Streets and Highways Code. (e) “Highway service organization” means a motor club, as defined by Section 12142 of the Insurance Code and, in addition, includes any person or organization that operates or directs the operation of highway service vehicles to provide emergency roadside assistance to motorists, or any person or organization that is reimbursed or reimburses others for the cost of providing emergency roadside assistance, and any employer and includes any person or organization that directly or indirectly, with or without compensation, provides emergency roadside assistance. (f) “Regional or local entity” has the same meaning as defined in Section 2430.1. (g) “Tow truck driver” has the same meaning as defined in Section 2430.1.

Cal. Vehicle Code - VEH § 2436.3. Section 2436.3.

(a) On and after July 1, 1992, every employer shall obtain from the department a carrier identification number. Application for a carrier identification number shall be on forms furnished by the department. The number shall be displayed on both sides of each tow truck utilized in any freeway service patrol operation, in accordance with Section 27907. (b) No employer shall operate a tow truck in any freeway service patrol operation if the carrier identification number issued pursuant to subdivision (a) has been suspended by the commissioner pursuant to Section 2432.1. (c) The carrier identification number shall be removed before sale, transfer, or other disposal of the vehicle, or upon termination of an agreement or contract for freeway service patrol operations. (d) A violation of this section is a misdemeanor.

Cal. Vehicle Code - VEH § 2436.5. Section 2436.5.

(a) The department, in cooperation with the Department of Transportation, shall provide training, pursuant to a reimbursable agreement or contract with a regional or local entity, for all employers and tow truck drivers who are involved in freeway service patrol operations pursuant to an agreement or contract with the regional or local entity. Dispatchers for freeway service patrol operations shall be employees of the department or the Department of Transportation. (b) The training shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following: (1) Tow truck driver and motorist safety. (2) Patrol responsibility. (3) Vehicle operation. (4) Traffic control and scene management. (5) Communication procedures. (6) Demeanor and courtesy.

Cal. Vehicle Code - VEH § 2436.7. Section 2436.7.

(a) Every tow truck driver and employer, involved in a freeway service patrol operation under an agreement or contract with a regional or local entity, shall attend the training specified in subdivision (b) of Section 2436.5. (b) Upon successful completion of the training, each trainee shall be issued a certificate of completion. The certificate shall state the name of the training organization, the name and signature of the trainer, the name of the trainee, and the date of completion of the training. (c) The trainee shall provide a copy of the certificate of training to the employer. The employer shall maintain this information in the tow truck driver files established pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 2430.5. (d) Every employer shall make the file available for inspection by the department at the employer’s primary place of business in this state.

Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026