GSTA

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National Driver Certification

The GSTA supports the continued growth of the towing and recovery industry. The most important tools for growth are education and training. That is why the GSTA is a strong believer in the National Driver Certification Program which is a method of testing the knowledge of tow truck drivers.

On this page you will find information and links to testing & class dates, articles and comments regarding the certification program. If you need additional information please contact the GSTA office at 609-977-2233.

Articles & Comments

Testing Dates and Sites

2007 Certification Testing

2007 Certification Testing will be held every other month right before the general membership meetings at 4:00PM at NJMTA. If you have drivers that need testing or re-testing, PLEASE contact the GSTA office as soon as possible. It works good to have at least 10 people at any test site. Drivers should have at least 2 weeks with the study guide before they test. Oral examinations are also available; special arrangements can be made through the GSTA office.

1.   First time testers are required to submit an application with 2 photo's attached. The proctor will have a

      digital camera available at the test if needed.

      2.     Level 1 test cost is $100 for GSTA members; $125 for non-members

      3.     Level 2 test cost is $160 for GSTA members; $200 for non-members

      4.     Re-Testing is $50 and requires only an application be submitted.

      5.     Photo ID is required at the test site.

      6.     Applications and payment must be received by the GSTA office before Study Guides can be sent.

      7.     Applications are available in the GSTA directory or through the GSTA office.

      8.     Applications are attached to the test sheet at the test site and mailed immediately to the TRAA office.

      9.     Test results are available within 2- 3 weeks of the test date.

     10.   If anyone has questions concerning the results, please contact Linda in the GSTA office.

Regional test sites are constantly being requested; the Executive Director will try to hold regional tests in areas around the state if the Towing Company can provide a test site and guarantee at least 10 testers. If your company wants a test held closer to your company, please contact Linda in the GSTA office.

National Certification Testing through TRAA (Towing & Recovery Association of America)

LEVEL I REQUIREMENTS Light Duty

Level 1 Application (PDF 120k)

100 Multiple Choice Questions
1. 90 Days employment as a tow truck driver in the last five years.

2. All state driving requirements must be met.

	Customer Service	Safety/Personal Appearance	Incident Management	Truck	Equipment & Tools
A	Customer Care	Personal Driving	Arrival at Scene	Safe Driver Skills	Safe Handling
B	Paperwork	Personal Appearance	Incident Type And Needs	Equipment Knowledge	Operation Usage
C	Vehicle Handling	Specialized Skills	Specialized Skills	Maintenance Skills	Maintenance Skills

LEVEL II REQUIREMENTS Medium Duty

Level 2 Application (PDF 29k)

200 Multiple Choice and true/false Questions

One year employed as a medium/heavy duty truck towing and recovery operator (20,000 … 26,001 + GVWR)
Hold a commercial Driver’s License (CDL ABC)
Meet all driver/operator requirements of the state from which he/she is applying
Have successfully completed Level 1 of the National Driver Certification Test

Test consists of questions on the following topics:

Professional Image and Personal Appearance
Operator Responsibilities as a Towing and Recovery Professional
Personal Safety Considerations
Customer Service
Communication Skills
Safety at the Scene
Safe Driving During Towing and Recovery Operations
Proper Procedures for Vehicle Preparation for Towing and Recovery
Accident Prevention Skills
Types and Classifications of Towing and Recovery Equipment
Proper Inspection/Care of Towing and Recovery Units
Incident Management
Special Considerations Involved in Hazmat Recoveries
Equipment Required for Proper Operation of Various Towing and Recovery Units
Proper Hook-up Procedures for Specialty Vehicles, medium/heavy truck, combinations
Loading, Securing, and Unloading a Vehicle Using Carriers and Trailers
Cargo Concerns including Loading, Securing and Unloading
Proper Procedures for Uprighting Overturns
Recoveries—Proper Winching Techniques

READY FOR LEVEL III?

We are actively looking for applicants who ready to test for Level III. If we have ten people with applications on file we can arrange for testing in New Jersey. If you are interested please contact TRAA at 1-800-95-TEST1 for an application.

LEVEL III Heavy Duty Recovery

Level 3 Application (PDF 38k)

REQUIREMENTS:

CDL with endorsements (air brakes, tank operations, etc.)
Level 2 Master Tower Certification
HazMat awareness (endorsement of HazMat can be another bar but is not required for Level 3)
2 Years of experience as a recovery specialist,

PLUS one of the following—

Sponsor letter from a towing facility owner or training school verifying that the candidate is qualified to take a test of this level.
Driver’s statement of experience with documentation of experience such as logbook, resume or the like.
Company owner statement verifying that the driver has participated in at least 10 heavy recoveries.

One of the things that became abundantly clear in the development of the Level 3 test is that unlike Levels 1 and 2, there are, within the bounds of safety, several ways of doing a recovery. The Advisory Committee realized during the development of the test we would have to allow for a testing of the analytical abilities of the tow operator rather than the strictly factual approach as in Levels 1 and 2.

In order to do this it was decided that the test should be both written and oral. The written portion would determine whether or not the tower had the basic academic knowledge to be deemed a heavy recovery specialist. The oral would give him an opportunity to apply his knowledge to an actual incident which would be before him on a screen with accompanying an written description of the particulars, i.e., weather conditions, topography, actual damages, etc.

The following were the competency areas decided upon by the Advisory Committee:

Truck and equipment capabilities
Attachments of heavy vehicles
Rigging
Vehicle Placement
Recovery formulas
Preparation for Towing
Weather Conditions
Knowledge of blood-bourne pathogens
Customer relations on the scene
Fire potential driver should be alert to (vs. fire department responsibilities)
Company dispatching communications
Company team communications on the scene
Proper maintenance of snatchblocks, etc.
Air cushion recovery (decision making)
Hydraulic recovery (decision making)
Scene assessment (pre-planning)
Unloading (upright vs. on the ground)
HAZMAT awareness
EPA awareness (spills, water source, clean up)
Knowledge of the drug and alcohol regulations
Command Center communications
Incident Management—who’s in charge (when)
Paperwork
o Pricing
o Pictures
o Preparing invoices