2006 Code of Virginia § 46.2-1118 - Connection between vehicles; tow trucks towing vehicles by means of a wheel lift apparatu...

46.2-1118. Connection between vehicles; tow trucks towing vehicles by meansof a wheel lift apparatus.

The connection between any two vehicles, one of which is towing or drawingthe other on a highway, shall consist of a fifth wheel, drawbar, or othersimilar device not to exceed 15 feet in length from one vehicle to the other.Any such two vehicles shall, in addition to such drawbar or other similardevice, be equipped at all times when so operated on the highway with anemergency chain.

The foregoing provisions of this section shall not apply to (i) any farmtractor, as defined in 46.2-100, when such farm tractor is towing any farmimplement or farm machinery by means of a drawbar coupled with a safety hitchpin or manufacturer's coupling device or (ii) any tow truck towing a vehicleby means of a wheel lift apparatus that employs a safety strap to hold two ofthe towed vehicle's wheels within a wheel lift cradle in a manner consistentwith instructions of the manufacturer of such wheel lift apparatus.

For the purposes of this section, "tow truck" means any motor vehicle thatis constructed and used primarily for towing, lifting, or otherwise movingillegally parked or disabled vehicles.

(Code 1950, 46-332; 1958, c. 541, 46.1-336; 1982, c. 189; 1985, c. 426;1989, c. 727; 2003, c. 414.)