Tow Truck Driver Hours & Schedule: What a Real Week Looks Like
The Short Answer
Employed drivers work 8–12hr shifts, 4–5 days/week, often with a 24/48 on-call rotation. Independent owners average 55–70 hrs/week including drive time, admin, and paperwork — not just steering time.
Tow work is one of the few blue-collar jobs where 'off the clock' can still mean answering a motor club ping at 2 a.m.
Typical Employee Schedules
- Day shift: 6 a.m.–6 p.m., 4 on / 3 off
- Night shift: 6 p.m.–6 a.m., 4 on / 3 off (adds shift differential ~$2–$4/hr)
- On-call: 24hr window with paid callback minimum, usually 1–2 weeks/month
Owner-Operator Weekly Breakdown
| Activity | Hours/Week |
|---|---|
| Actual calls (drive + hook + drop) | 30–45 |
| Deadhead / repositioning | 8–12 |
| Invoicing, PODs, motor club paperwork | 4–6 |
| Truck maintenance & fuel stops | 3–5 |
| Marketing, calls to shops, PPI accounts | 3–6 |
The On-Call Reality
Motor club dispatch peaks 6–10 p.m. and after any weather event. If you refuse night dispatch, plan to lose ~40% of your available call volume.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do tow truck drivers get overtime?
W-2 employees typically qualify for OT after 40 hours. Some states (CA) require daily OT after 8 hrs. Owner-operators do not.
Can I run tow part-time?
Yes — many operators start nights and weekends before quitting a day job. Motor clubs will accept part-time zone coverage.
How many hours can I legally drive?
Under 26,001 lbs GVWR and staying intrastate, FMCSA HOS rules generally don't apply. Interstate or heavier trucks trigger 11-hour driving / 14-hour on-duty limits.
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Derek Halston
Independent tow operator with 12+ years running light- and medium-duty wreckers on motor club and private property impound work, and the lead instructor at Tow Truck Pro Academy.