How to Become a AAA Towing Contractor

Applying to the Contractor Network

Ensure that you have all the necessary permits. Most states require permits for indictment management, private property, and consent towing. Some states or cities may require additional permits and licenses, so contact your city or county clerk’s office to see what other permits may be required. Make sure your other permits are up to date and renew them if necessary. An indictment management permit allows you to tow vehicles initiated by an officer of law enforcement. Private property permits allow you to tow vehicles without the owner’s consent as long as it’s authorized by a parking facility owner. Consent tow permits are used to tow vehicles with permission from the owner. Make copies of your permits and store the originals in a safe in your business office.

Make sure your towing insurance is up to date. Contact your insurance provider or check online to see if you’re still covered a liability insurance policy. If the insurance is out of date, renew the policy as soon as you can to make sure your company is protected from any damages. Get a policy that covers more than the minimum required for your towing business since it portrays your company in a better light.

Confirm you and your drivers all have the proper licensing. While driving a regular vehicle, like a car, only requires a Class A license, tow trucks require a Class B Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). Make sure your and your employees’ licenses are all current and have a Class B certification on them. If not, renew your licenses before applying for a AAA contracting job. You can learn more about how to renew your license and what permits are required in your area here: https://www.dmv.org/commercial-drivers/cdl-class-types.php.

Fill out the AAA application completely at your nearest AAA club office. Go to the AAA office that’s the closest to your towing company. Make sure to bring originals or copies of all your permits, licenses, and insurance policies. Let them know that you would like to apply to be a contractor for roadside assistance and fill out the application while you’re in the office. If you don’t know where the nearest AAA club is, visit the AAA website and type in your ZIP code to locate the office.

Allow AAA to visit your facility to inspect your vehicles and building. While the AAA club goes over your application, a representative may ask to visit your towing facility, take pictures of your vehicles, and request criminal background checks for your employees. Provide any and all of the requests the AAA provider asks for while they’re there. Providing the requests that AAA asks for does not guarantee that you’ll be accepted as a contractor until they can review the material. If the AAA representative asks for background checks on you or your employees, make sure to provide a copy of a driver's license (front and back), a birthday, a Social Security number, and a current home address.

Wait up to 2 weeks to hear back from AAA. It may take up to 2 weeks for AAA to review your documents and business to see if you’re able to contract for them. If you haven’t heard back from AAA in the first 2 weeks after submitting your application, call the nearest office and confirm that your application is being processed.

Running a Successful Tow Company

Display the AAA logo in your business and on your vehicles. Once you get accepted as a AAA contractor, market your new services by adding the logo to your company’s business card and adding the decal on each of your tow trucks. Place it in a noticeable spot, such as the top corner of the business card or on the door of your vehicle. AAA should provide logos and stickers for your vehicle once you’re accepted as a contractor so drivers know you’re working for their service.

Check your phone and online for contracts from AAA. Most of the contracts you receive from AAA will arrive through phone calls or emails. Make sure to keep your phone lines open as much as possible and check your email a few times each hour. Allow email notifications to pop up on your desktop or phone so you don’t have to keep a browser window open on your computer.

Keep your facility running for 24 hours a day. AAA serves drivers at any time of day, every day of the year. Make sure you always have someone on staff at all times to respond to emergency calls late at night. AAA also operates on all major calendar holidays.

Respond quickly to service calls to keep customers happy. Whenever you receive a call from AAA, try to respond to the driver in need as soon as possible. When you arrive, stay friendly and ask what the problem is immediately. Work quickly and efficiently so the customers are satisfied with your service. Work with your employees to figure out how to handle situations when they arise. For example, make sure each of your employees still acts friendly and helpful if they’re working with a difficult customer.

Offer additional assistance like gas delivery, tire changes, and battery service. Since all nearby contractors are contacted when a vehicle calls AAA, offering additional services gives you more business opportunities. If you don’t already, consider delivering fuel to people who have run out of gas, repairing flat tires, and jumping batteries as part of your offered services. Most AAA contractors are required to offer these services at any time.