Unless the context otherwise requires, a tow truck or wrecker means any motor vehicle which is specially equipped to tow, haul, or push disabled automobiles, trucks, or tractors for commercial considerations, or operated by any person, for the purpose of towing or servicing any automobiles, trucks, or tractors owned by him. Any tow truck or wrecker may be equipped with and use an amber rotary beacon light or lights or other amber flashing or blinking light or lights of the type or similar to the type of lights used on emergency vehicles in this state. The amber lights may be used by a tow truck or wrecker only when actually engaging, towing, hauling, or pushing a disabled motor vehicle, or when ordered by a law enforcement officer for safety purposes to warn other motorists of the presence of the tow truck or wrecker. Any tow truck or wrecker may be equipped with and use a blue rotary beacon light or lights or other blue flashing or blinking light similar to the type of lights used on emergency vehicles in this state. The blue lights may be used by a tow truck or wrecker only when removing debris from a public road. A violation of this section is a Class 2 misdemeanor.

Attorney's Note

Under the South Dakota Laws, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:
ClassPrisonFine
Class 2 misdemeanorup to 30 daysup to $500
For details, see § 22-6-2

Terms Used In South Dakota Codified Laws 32-17-10

  • Person: includes natural persons, partnerships, associations, cooperative corporations, limited liability companies, and corporations. See South Dakota Codified Laws 2-14-2

Source: SL 1967, ch 208, §§ 1 to 3; SL 1975, ch 206, § 2; SL 1978, ch 158, § 36; SL 1986, ch 257; SL 2020, ch 119, § 1.