Bill would allow operators to tow semi trucks without detaching trailers for improved safety

A bill introduced in Congress this week seeks to improve road safety by changing federal length requirements for tow truck operators so that they can move disabled semi trucks without breaking them down.

On January 28, 2026, Rep. Dave Taylor introduced the Towing Safety Act, which would:

• Waive the federal length requirements for tow truck operators responding to, returning from, or transporting a wrecked or disabled vehicle, with the requirements that:
  • The tow truck remains in-state and can safely operate on highway bridges along the route determined by the transportation agency of jurisdiction, and;
  • The vehicle being transported complies with existing federal law and regulations.

Taylor said that the bill would allow tow operators to transport disabled semi trucks to a nearby location instead of being required to disassemble them along busy interstates and highways.  

Taylor points to federal regulations that forbid the operation of combination vehicles exceeding 65 feet or 75 feet in length, depending on the type of connection between the tractor and trailer.

“With semi-trucks being a standard of 70 feet in length, tow truck drivers are rarely able to transport semi-trucks without disassembling them in order to comply with federal regulation,” he said.

“As someone who ran my own company for decades, I would never want to put the lives of my workers or first responders at risk on the side of the road,” said Taylor. “Accidents and breakdowns on the shoulders of interstates and highways create hazardous conditions for drivers, tow truck operators, and police officers who are responding to an incident. My bill will save lives and ensure safety on our nation’s roads for all drivers by giving tow truck drivers flexibility in responding to wrecked or disabled vehicles in the case of an emergency.”

Taylor says that the bill could save tow operators and assisting police officers from injuries and death while working to recover large vehicles.

The bill is endorsed by the Towing and Recovery Association of America.