Invoice templates for breakdown recovery and tow truck operators billing motorists, garages, and insurers for vehicle recovery.
A tow truck operator invoice is issued by a vehicle recovery or breakdown service operator to a motorist, insurance company, garage, or fleet operator for vehicle recovery, roadside assistance, and storage services. Recovery operators in the UK must hold an Operator's Licence from the DVSA if their tow truck exceeds 3.5 tonnes. The breakdown recovery sector includes police-contracted recovery operators (who recover vehicles from motorways and major A roads), insurance-contracted operators, and independent local recovery firms. Invoicing practices differ significantly between these sectors. Insurance-funded recovery works through a jobs management system where fees are pre-agreed with the insurer or breakdown club. Direct-to-consumer recovery involves charging the motorist at the roadside. Police contracted work involves specific tariff rates agreed with the relevant police authority.
| Service | Typical Rate | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Callout fee (within local area) | 85 | callout |
| Recovery mileage (per mile) | 2.5 | mile |
| Overnight vehicle storage (per night) | 40 | night |
| Release fee (post-storage) | 50 | release |
| Heavy recovery (recovery of HGV) | 400 | hour |
| Out of hours surcharge (nights, weekends) | 50 | callout |
Issue invoices promptly after each recovery. For insurance-funded work, the invoice must match the agreed tariff rate with the insurer or recovery network. Deviating from agreed rates leads to invoice queries and delayed payment. For direct consumer work (motorists paying at the roadside), provide a clear receipt or invoice at the time of the recovery. State your payment methods clearly. Some recovery operators require payment before releasing the vehicle from storage. For police-contracted motorway recovery, invoicing follows the specific procedures of the relevant police authority contract. Rates are pre-set and invoices must reference the police incident number and approved rate card. Storage fees must be clearly displayed at your storage facility and communicated to the vehicle owner promptly. Provide a clear notice (in writing or by text) when storage fees are starting to accrue, including the daily rate and how to retrieve the vehicle.