How to book a tow without ringing around

You know how it usually goes. You search for a tow truck near you, ring the first number, wait, get a price you can't compare with anything, then ring the next one and hope someone picks up. RoadM8 turns that around: you send one request and operators come to you. Here's exactly what happens, step by step.

1. Say what needs towing

On the booking page or in the RoadM8 app, choose your vehicle: car, motorbike, van or ute, truck, machinery or something else. That tells operators what kind of truck the job needs.

2. Enter your pick-up and drop-off

Type the addresses, or tap the location button to fill in the pick-up from your phone's GPS. Your drop-off can be your mechanic, your home or anywhere else you choose. If you're not sure where it should go, have a look at where to send the car at night.

3. Add your rego and a photo

Every request needs the vehicle's rego and a photo. It only takes a moment, and it means operators can see what they're quoting on. Your phone's camera is fine, and if you're on the side of a road, take the photo from a safe spot.

4. Confirm your mobile number

Enter your name and mobile, and we'll text you a 6-digit code. That's your RoadM8 account, with no password to remember. If you've already got an account, the code signs you straight in.

5. Compare the quotes

Your request goes to independent tow operators near your pick-up. Each one who's available sets their own price and sends it through, and the quotes appear on your screen with the lowest first. Each quote shows the price, and where the operator has provided them, how far away they are and their own estimate of when they'd arrive. Quotes have a time limit, and more can still come in while you're looking.

You haven't paid anything at this point. You can wait for more quotes, or cancel the request if you've sorted something else out.

6. Accept and pay by card

Tap accept on the quote that suits you, then choose to add your card, which opens RoadM8's secure Stripe page in a new tab. Your card is charged at that point, and if the tow is cancelled before pick-up, it's refunded in full. After you've paid, come back to the booking page so your driver gets the go-ahead straight away.

7. Follow your tow live

Now you can see who's coming, where they are on the map and an updated arrival estimate. The steps show how the job is going, from the driver heading your way through to drop-off. Where the operator's number is available, there's a button to call them, which is handy if you need to explain exactly where you are or mention something about the vehicle.

8. Give your PIN at pick-up and drop-off

You get a pick-up PIN to give the driver in person when they load your vehicle, and a drop-off PIN when they deliver it. It's a simple check that your vehicle is going with the right truck and has arrived where it should. Only share these in person.

9. Rate the tow

When your vehicle has been dropped off, you'll see your final charge and can rate the job.

What RoadM8 is, and isn't

RoadM8 is a towing booking app. Independent operators across Victoria quote and do the tow, and RoadM8 doesn't own tow trucks. There's no membership and no joining fee, so you only pay for a tow you accept.

It's also worth being upfront about what we can't promise. Quotes depend on which operators are available near your pick-up at that moment, so busy periods and remote areas can mean fewer quotes or none. If nobody takes the job, the page tells you, and you can try again later or call the RoadM8 team on 0466 205 204, 9am to 9pm. If you already have roadside cover, keep that as your backup.

When to call someone instead

An app isn't the right first step in every situation:

• Someone is hurt, or there's fire, smoke or immediate danger: call Triple Zero (000).
• Your car is blocking traffic on a major road: call Transport Victoria on 13 11 70, which takes these reports 24 hours a day.
• You've just been in a crash: different rules apply, so read who tows your car after a crash.
• You'd just rather talk to someone: call the RoadM8 team on 0466 205 204, 9am to 9pm.

Ready to try it?

You can start a request right now from anywhere in Victoria, or browse towing areas across Victoria to see your local page, such as towing in Melbourne's western suburbs. It's the same booking form on every page. You don't need to install anything, but the RoadM8 app does the same job if you'd rather have it on your phone before you need it.