Can You Call 911 for a Tow Truck?

When you find yourself stranded on the side of the road with a flat tire, or your car has run out of gas, you may be tempted to call 911 for help. But can you really call 911 for a tow truck?

The answer is not always clear-cut. In some cases, it is possible to call 911 and request a tow truck. However, it is important to understand that 911 dispatchers prioritize emergency calls over non-emergency requests such as a tow truck. Therefore, if there are more urgent calls coming in, your request for a tow truck may be postponed or even denied.

In some jurisdictions, there may also be restrictions on who can provide towing services and how they are dispatched. For example, certain cities require that only licensed tow-truck operators respond to calls from 911 dispatchers. So if your request is accepted by the dispatcher, they may not be able to send out an unlicensed operator in response to your call.

If you find yourself in need of roadside assistance but unable to make an emergency call due to other urgent matters taking priority with the dispatcher, you may want to consider calling a local tow-truck company instead. Reputable companies are available 24/7 and typically provide faster service than what could be expected from a 911 dispatcher.

Conclusion:

In most cases, it is not advisable to call 911 for a tow truck unless it is an emergency situation. If possible, it is best to contact a local tow-truck company for non-emergency roadside assistance in order to get the quickest response time and ensure that only licensed operators respond to your request.

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Stephen Dunn