Roadside guides you can use.
Short driver-focused walkthroughs of the breakdown jobs every Orlando driver should know. Each guide comes with step-by-step instructions and a clear line on when to stop and call a tow.
What roadside fixes can you handle yourself?
Change a flat tire on the side of the road
The difference between a 20-minute shoulder stop and an hour on the phone with a tow company is knowing where the spare and jack live before you need them.
What to do when your car is stuck in mud or standing water
Flooded intersections and soft shoulders on new West Orange County roads swallow cars every rainy season. The first thing to do is stop making it worse.
Prepare your vehicle for a tow
A few minutes of prep before the tow truck arrives saves time, avoids damage, and makes the whole call go faster.
Car will not start - what to check first
Before calling for a tow, check a few things first. Clicking, silence, or lights that do or do not come on can point you toward a jump, a fob, or a tow. None of this replaces a shop diagnosis.
Flatbed vs wheel-lift towing: which is safer?
Both methods are used in Orlando. The owner's manual, plus what the operator sees on scene, decide which one is allowed. This page is a referral guide, not a company equipment policy.
Can a tow truck refuse to take my car in Florida?
On a tow you arrange yourself, a Florida operator can decline the job. Police, insurance-contract, and Orange County trespass or nonconsensual work sit under different rules. This page keeps those lanes separate.
How to verify an Orlando tow company is legitimate
Florida doesn't issue a single state towing license, so there's no one-number lookup. Here's what to actually check, and it takes 5 minutes.
Compare a towing route before you call.
Use the towing cost calculator to organize pickup, destination, and distance details.
When should you stop and call a tow truck?
Six signs that the problem is past DIY. Turn the system off and pick up the phone - running a system with these issues turns cheap repairs into expensive replacements.
- You are on the shoulder of a busy expressway
I-4, the Beachline (SR-528), the Turnpike, and other busy Orlando-area expressways are among the most dangerous places to stand. Stay in the vehicle with seatbelts on and call for a tow.
- The vehicle was in any collision
Even light collisions can damage suspension, brakes, or the steering rack in ways you cannot see. Drive it after an accident only if law enforcement clears the scene and the vehicle is visibly intact.
- Ignition or dashboard is smoking
Electrical fires can progress from smoke to flames in under a minute. Pull over if you can, turn the engine off, get out, and call 911 plus a tow.
- Smoke or steam from under the hood
Overheating or a serious oil/coolant leak. Continuing to drive can cause a seized engine, a repair that costs far more than a tow. Pull over safely and call for a tow.
- Vehicle is AWD, 4WD, or electric and the drive wheels will not spin freely
Dragging an AWD or EV with drive wheels on the pavement can damage the drivetrain. Tell the dispatcher the make, model, and drivetrain. Ask for a method that keeps the tires off the ground if the manual requires it, including wheel-lift plus dollies when the manual allows that.
- Water or mud is up to the door sills
Water-damaged electrical systems start unpredictable fires, especially after summer storm or hurricane-season flooding. Do not try to start the car. Flatbed it out and get it to a shop for a proper assessment.
What towing laws and safety resources are available?
Florida Statute 715.07 (Removal of Vehicles from Private Property)
The Florida law that sets the state minimum rules for private property towing, signage requirements, and rate authority.
FL511 / FDOTFL511
Florida's official real-time traffic and incident information service, covering I-4, the Beachline, and every expressway in the Orlando metro.
FDOTFHP Road Rangers
Limited no-cost highway patrol on covered Florida roads: flats, fuel, jumps, and related roadside help as FDOT lists for that program. Dial *347. Coverage and what they can do depend on the route. They are not a substitute for a private destination tow.
Orange County, FLOrange County Towing Information
Orange County's official guidance on towing rates, how to find a towed vehicle, and how to file a complaint.
FLHSMVFLHSMV - Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
State agency for vehicle registration, titles, and driver license questions, including what to do after a tow.
Still stranded? Call the line.
If the guide didn't get you moving, we can. Dispatch Mon-Fri, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., total quoted before the truck rolls.