15B-9.005. Wrecker Classification; Prohibited Equipment and Required Equipment

(1) Each wrecker owned, used, or operated by a wrecker operator applying to be included in the wrecker operating system or by an authorized wrecker operator, to respond to a call for service shall conform to the requirements of this rule. The wrecker and all equipment required by this rule for a wrecker of each specified class of wrecker shall be operable. (2) Each such wrecker and the equipment required for each wrecker shall be inspected by the division’s local troop commander or his or her designee and approved by the troop commander prior to the wrecker being used by an authorized wrecker operator to respond to a call for service and at least once annually thereafter for compliance with the requirements of this rule. The division also may inspect each wrecker at any time to ensure that the wrecker and the equipment on each wrecker used by an authorized wrecker operator meet the requirements of this rule. At the conclusion of each inspection, the division must provide the authorized wrecker operator with a report of the results of the inspection signed on behalf of the division by the person who performed the inspection. A representative of the authorized wrecker operator must acknowledge receipt of the results of the inspection in writing at the conclusion of the inspection. (3) Wreckers equipped with airbrakes must be inspected pursuant to the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance inspection procedures. The inspection conducted on the wrecker must be equivalent to the North American Standard Inspection Procedure Level I inspection (Level V inspection if the driver is not available at time of inspection). The vehicle must be ready for dispatch and the inspection will take place at a time and location which the division deems safe and adequate to perform such inspection. (4) Sirens on wreckers are prohibited. (5) A wrecker owned, used, or operated by an authorized wrecker operator to respond to a call for service may not display any sign or indicia which represents or implies that the authorized wrecker operator has any official relationship with the division. (6) A wrecker owned, used, or operated by an authorized wrecker operator, an authorized wrecker operator, and the physical place of business of an authorized wrecker operator may not have, use, or possess any equipment capable of monitoring messages or signals or frequencies assigned to or used by the division. (7) Each wrecker owned, used, or operated by an authorized wrecker operator to respond to calls for service shall be equipped with a mobile telephone capable of receiving and responding to calls for service throughout the entire zone in which the authorized wrecker operator operates and capable of receiving and communicating with the physical place of business of the authorized wrecker operator. (8) Each wrecker owned, used, or operated by an authorized wrecker operator to respond to calls for service must have: (a) A wheel lift. (b) Dual rear wheels. (c) Clearance and marker lights and all other equipment as required by Chapter 316, Florida Statutes. (d) Emergency lighting authorized or required by Chapter 316, Florida Statutes, mounted on the wrecker in such a manner that it can be seen from the front, rear, and both sides of the wrecker with or without a load. (e) Rear facing work lights. (f) The name, address and telephone number of the authorized wrecker operator’s physical place of business must be permanently affixed in a conspicuous place in contrasting colors on the driver and passenger sides of the wrecker, as required by Section 713.78(8), Florida Statutes. 1. The name of the authorized wrecker operator must be at least three (3) inches in height and the address and telephone number of the authorized wrecker operator’s physical place of business must be at least one (1) inch in height. 2. Magnetic or removable signs or placards may not be used to meet said requirements. 3. Only one address and one telephone number may appear on the wrecker. (g) A wrecker unit number must be permanently affixed in contrasting colors in a conspicuous place on the driver and passenger sides of the wrecker. 1. The wrecker unit number must be at least three (3) inches in height. 2. The wrecker unit number for each wrecker owned, used, or operated by an authorized wrecker operator must be unique and the same wrecker unit number may not be used on two or more wreckers owned, used, or operated by an authorized wrecker operator. 3. Magnetic or removable signs or placards may not be used to meet said requirements. (h) One heavy duty push broom with a minimum width of twenty-four (24) inches. (i) One square shovel. (j) One crowbar or prybar with a minimum length of thirty (30) inches. (k) Minimum of one (1) full five pound, commercially-manufactured CO2 or dry chemical fire extinguisher or equivalent with a current inspection tag attached. (l) One (1) pair of bolt cutters with a minimum opening of 1/2 inch. (m) One (1) set of jumper cables or a charged jump box. (n) One (1) four-way lug wrench or one (1) impact gun with sockets in sizes 11/16”, 13/16”, 3/4”, and 7/8”. (o) One (1) flashlight. (p) Five (5) operational safety illumination devices for temporary traffic control. (q) One snatch block for each wire rope with manufacturer’s rating to match the specifications of the wire rope. (r) Extra towing chain six (6) to eight (8) feet in length with hooks. (s) Six (6) thirty-six inch tall reflective safety cones or triangle reflectors. (t) Two (2) five-gallon or larger buckets or containers of absorbent material. (u) Conspicuous markings using red and high visibility yellow-green decals made from retro-reflective materials affixed to the rear facing portion of the wrecker at least two (2) inches in height positioned horizontally and extending, to the extent feasible, across the full width of the wrecker. (v) One (1) contractor debris bag, bucket, or container. (w) Tow lights to be placed on the rear of the vehicle being towed. (9) In addition to the requirements in subsection 15B-9.005(8), F.A.C., each Class A wrecker owned, used, or operated by an authorized wrecker operator to respond to calls for service must have: (a) A truck chassis with a manufacturer’s rated capacity of at least 11,000 pounds gross vehicle weight. The wrecker must have been designed and manufactured for vehicle retrieval and removal and fitted with a winch(es) having a manufacturer’s combined rating of at least four (4) tons mounted on the chassis. Hand crank winches do not satisfy these requirements. However, Class A wreckers owned, used, and operated by an authorized wrecker operator to respond to calls for service on or before July 1, 2025, must have a truck chassis with a manufacturer’s rated capacity of at least 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight and a complete, commercially manufactured boom and winch(es) having a manufacturer’s combined rating of at least four (4) tons must be mounted on the chassis. Hand crank winches do not satisfy these requirements. (b) A minimum of one hundred feet of 3/8-inch wire rope. (c) Dollies. (d) If the wrecker utilizes wheel lifts, the wheel lifts shall be rated at a minimum of 3,400 lbs. lift capacity and must utilize wheel safety straps when lifting vehicles by the wheels only. However, wreckers owned, used, and operated by an authorized wrecker operator to respond to calls for service on or before July 1, 2025, which are equipped with wheel lifts or the equivalent may also qualify as Class A wreckers so long as the Class A wreckers are equipped with a boom and the wheel lifts are rated at a minimum of 3,000 lbs. lift capacity and utilize wheel safety straps when lifting vehicles by the wheels only. (10) In addition to the requirements in subsection 15B-9.005(8), F.A.C., each roll-back or slide-back wrecker owned, used, or operated by an authorized wrecker operator to respond to calls for service must have: (a) A truck chassis with a manufacturer’s rated capacity of at least 15,000 pounds gross vehicle weight with a minimum of a nineteen (19) foot bed, dual rear wheels and a winch with at least 8,000 pound capacity. However, roll-back or slide-back wreckers owned, used, and operated by an authorized wrecker operator to respond to calls for service on or before July 1, 2025, must have a truck chassis with a manufacturer’s rated capacity of at least 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight with a minimum of a sixteen (16) foot bed, dual rear wheels and a winch with at least an 8,000 pound capacity. (b) A minimum of 50 feet of 3/8-inch wire rope. (c) A minimum of a four point tie-down systems, straps, or chains. (d) Brakes and trailer lights which meet the minimum statutory requirements of Florida law. (e) Safety chains. (11) In addition to the requirements in subsection 15B-9.005(8), F.A.C., each Class B wrecker owned, used, or operated by an authorized wrecker operator to respond to calls for service must have: (a) A truck chassis with a manufacturer’s rated capacity of at least 25,500 pounds gross vehicle weight. A complete, twin-winch, commercially manufactured boom and winches having a manufacturer’s combined rating of at least ten (10) ton capacity mounted on the chassis. However, Class B wreckers owned, used, and operated by an authorized wrecker operator to respond to calls for service on or before July 1, 2025, must have a truck chassis with a manufacturer’s rated capacity of at least 20,000 pounds gross vehicle weight and a complete, twin-winch, commercially manufactured boom and winches having a manufacturer’s combined rating of at least ten (10) ton capacity mounted on the chassis. (b) A minimum of one hundred feet of at least 7/16-inch wire rope on each drum. (c) One set of scotch blocks for wheels or hydraulic rear-extendable scotch blocks. (12) In addition to the requirements in subsection 15B-9.005(8), F.A.C., each Class C wrecker owned, used, or operated by an authorized wrecker operator to respond to calls for service must have: (a) A truck chassis with a manufacturer’s rated capacity of at least 52,000 pounds gross vehicle weight and 50,000 pounds gross vehicle weight for tandem axle trucks. A complete, twin-winch, commercially manufactured boom and winches having a manufacturer’s combined rating of at least 25 ton capacity mounted on the chassis. However, Class C wreckers owned, used, and operated by an authorized wrecker operator to respond to calls for service on or before July 1, 2025, must have a truck chassis with a manufacturer’s rated capacity of at least 30,000 pounds gross vehicle weight and 50,000 pounds gross vehicle weight for tandem axle trucks and a complete, twin-winch, commercially manufactured boom and winches having a manufacturer’s combined rating of at least 25 ton capacity mounted on the chassis. (b) A minimum of two hundred feet of at least 5/8-inch wire rope on each drum. (c) Air brakes so constructed as to lock the rear wheels automatically upon failure. (d) External air hookup and hoses, to supply air to disabled vehicles. (e) One set of scotch blocks for wheels or hydraulic rear-extendable scotch blocks.