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About Us |
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Southwest Tow Operators was formed in 2006 to unite towers in Texas and the southwest. STO was organized to reach out to the many towing companies that are not members of a professional trade association.
Many towing companies are small and don't have the time or resources to keep up with regulatory requirements and changes. We are here to keep you abreast of what is going on in the industry and how you can comply with any new requirements. You are not alone. Just pick up the phone, and we will help you. |
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Important Resources |
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Certification Program |
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 If you are employed by a current Southwest Tow Operators member, you will receive a discount on the test fee. Members price is $75.00 and non-members are $100.
If you would like the member pricing, please provide proof of current employment with a member. A letter from the owner on company letterhead or a current pay-stub will be accepted. Membership is $200 per year.
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Become a Member |
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 A lot of tow company owners think it is a waste of time and money to join a towing association. If you are one of them, please reconsider. Business-based groups offer knowledge, leverage and contacts that the sole proprietor wouldn't’t otherwise have access to by working alone. Most of us can’t call up our competitors across town to get advice. It is much easier to discuss business problems and solutions with someone who doesn't’t directly compete with you.
Read More... |
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New Programs Unveiled for Members |
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.Two New Benefits For Tower's Families
May 30, 2008 ........ The STO Board of Directors have introduced two new programs that benefit the families of the Professional Towers of our association.
Scholarship Program. The new scholarship program will be available to members of the STO for their family members so they may pursue their educational growth and assist in opening doors otherwise not there. It is our intention to strengthen the future of towers and their families. A committee has been formed to assist with the development of this program, as well as implement the process of determining the applicants that will be awarded the scholarship. The first scholarship(s) will be issued in April/May of 2009.
"In the Line of Duty" Benevolent Fund Benefit. This new benefit is designed to assist the family members of ANY licensed Professional Tower that falls in the line of duty. This benefit is unique as it will assist any fallen Professional Tower, licensed in the State of Texas, family up to $1,000. It is our duty to take care of our own.
"In the Line of Duty" Benevolent Fund Application Here
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TOW COMPANY MEMBERSHIP FEES DROP |
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Tow Company Membership |
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Fees Drop TO NEW LOW! |
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$150 per YEAR
Due to increased membership by towing companies, Southwest Tow Operators is proud to announce the lowering of your annual membership dues. This shows that the more that come together as one, will save for all! |
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Most Popular Document Requests |
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 New TDLR Release Forms For VSF:
Download them here now!
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New TDLR Tow Truck Operator and VSF Operator License Applications Now Available:
Download them here now!
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Sample Sign for VSF : Click Here!This is an example of the required VSF facility sign. It conforms to the most recent requirements.
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Certification Patches Now Available: Click Here!
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You can now Share your Favorite Photos with other STO Members!. . Click Here to up load your photos Now! |
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TOOLS Updated by TDLR |
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. TDLR Upgrades TOOLS ....(Texas Occupations Online Licensing System)
TOOLS, TDLR’s website for Tow Truck and Vehicle Storage Facility industry registrations, is now ready to accept filings that you need to make in order to comply with the Texas Towing Act.
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TDLR Drug Testing Policy |
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The drug testing policy from TDLR
Here is the policy for drug testing that is set by TDLR. It is the basis for all drug testing procedures that we recommend followed as it is easier to comply with and you will not be charged for submitting your own policy for approval.
Click Here To View Drug Testing Policy.... |
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TESTING ALERTS |
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TESTING ALERTS:
Dallas area:
Location: SouthWest Tow Operators Office, 2695 Villa Creek Drive, Suite #240, Dallas, TX, Saturday in October 4th & 18th, Study Session at 9:00AM, Testing at 10:00AM, contact Angie at 214-724-9325 with any questions
El Paso area: Hurry and Call to Reserve a Spot!
9805 Bomarc St., El Paso, TX, Saturday, October 25th, Study Session at 9:00AM, Testing at 10:00AM, contact Susan King at 915-474-2330 to reserve a spot
Houston/Spring area: Limited Seating! Call to Reserve!
Saturday, RUDY'S COUNTRY STORE AND BAR-B-Q, 20806 I-H 45 NORTH, SPRING, TX, October 4th, Registration at 10:30AM, contact Martee at 713-868-2971 to reserve a spot
Houston area: Prepay Required! Online Testing
Houston Community College, Houston, TX, Monday through Thursday, 9:00AM to 4:00PM, contact Southwest Tow Operators at 972-247-9454 to get scheduled
Nacogdoches area: Prepay Required! Online Testing
Stphen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, TX, Monday through Thursday, 8:00AM to 5:00PM, contact Southwest Tow Operators at 972-247-9454 to get scheduled
Port Isabel area: Hurry! Spots Filling Fast!
Community Center of Port Isabel, Corner of Maxan St & Yturria St (Next to Dairy Queen), Port Isabel, TX, Thursday, September 25th, Study Session at 6:00PM, Testing at 7:00PM, contact Merced at 956-639-5000 to reserve a spot
Pampa area: Better Get Your Spot Now!
Priest Park Church of God, Fellowship Hall, Corner of Gwendolen & Sumner, Pampa, TX, Tuesday, September 30th, 6pm Drinks & Snacks & Test Review ($10 at door), 7pm Testing Begins, contact Rene at 806-665-1331 to reserve a spot
For More Testing Site Contacts Go Here!
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Important Announcement |
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REGION 1 MEETING!! ALL TOWERS REQUESTED TO ATTEND! Member or Not! |
Southwest Tow Operators Region 1 General Meeting
Saturday, October 25th, 2008
Click here to see what Region you are located in!
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Please join us on Saturday, October 25th, MORE INFO TO COME. We have a full agenda and will also be setting up the Region 1 Board. If you want to be informed on what is going in your region, you must attend this meeting. Don’t be left out of the loop!!
Meeting Location:
MORE INFO TO COME SHORTLY!
Meeting is between 2:00PM – 5:00PM. Food and Drinks will be provided by our sponsors
- STO Staff Update
- Membership Update
- Certification Testing Update
- IM Training Update
- Continuing Education Update
- Volunteers for Region
- Cowen Law Group Presentation
- Region 4 Board Announcement
- Future Plans
- TDLR Question and Answer
Southwest Tow Operators has tested more drivers in the State of Texas than any other programs combined for the Texas Tow Operators Certification. We have over 50 proctors all over the state, which whom are doing a fantastic job for all of our towers. There are 7600 licenses issued for Tow Operators, of which 5400 were required to take the certification test. Southwest Tow Operators tested over 5300 of those tests. This is the kind of dedication and commitment you can count on from Southwest Tow Operators. Towers helping Towers!
“See ya’ll on the 25th”
Thank You to our sponsors!!
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Tower's Family Awarded STO's "Line Of Duty" Benevolent Fund Checks |
On May 4, 2008, William David Stone was killed in an accident when he was trying to hook up a vehicle on the side of IH 35W and was struck by a passing motorist....
Read the Rest of the Story |
On Monday, September 22, 2008, Southwest Tow Operators presented two $500 checks to the survivors of William David Stone, including his 5 children. Laura Smith, the mother, and April Gittings, the wife, were the recipients of the checks. Dan Messina and Jess Horton were there to present the checks and to express the industry's willfulness to assist them in there time of need and to tell them how proud we were of "David's" service to the industry as a professional tow operator. The "Line of Duty" Benevolent Fund was created to assist the direct families of our fellow professional tow operators that have fallen in the field while operating a tow truck. It is a benefit that is available to all Texas towers that fall in the line of duty. Different news agencies covered the event, including KXAS 5 NBC and KTVT 11 CBS, as we discussed the contributions to the family and the hopes of working with the next Texas Congress session on passing an amendment to the "Move Over" law that would include professional tow operators. We expressed the need to protect our tow operators while they are out on public roadways assisting stranded motorists. Here is a picture of Dan Messina, Executive Board of Director's President, presenting the checks:
....... ................. April Gittings, Laura Smith, & Dan Messina
If anyone would like to also additionally assist the Stone Family, please send donations to:
Southwest Tow Operators
Attn: William David Stone Family
2695 Villa Creek Dr.
Suite 240
Dallas, TX 75234
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(Make Checks Payable to Southwest Tow Operators, we will foward the funds to the family as well as notate the donations on our next newsletter)
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Contact Jess Horton with any questions on this fund.
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Wrecker Company Owner Killed by Van in Conroe |
| Wednesday, 24 Sep 2008 |
A wrecker service owner and driver is struck by a van in Conroe after the van driver crossed into an opposite driving lane in a no passing zone, according to police.
Stanley Schultz, 55, was pronounced dead at Conroe Regional Medical Center. Schultz owned the Second Chance wrecker service.....
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From the Executive Director:
This is just another reason why we need to try our very best to persuade the upcoming legislation session in the Texas Congress to change the current "Move Over" laws to include professional tow operators. We provide these services along the public roadways at a costly, and sometimes grave, risk to not just ourselves, but at a cost that could ultimately be beyond comprehension to our families. We extend our thoughts and prayers to the Schultz family and will of course do our best to assist them to the best of our abilities with any needs they may have. Dee Dee Brown, a founding STO Board Member is a local towing company owner and will keep us up to date on this tragic situation. Please send me an email and let me know what you think!
Click here to Email Jess
Thanks
Jess Horton
Executive Director
Southwest Tow Operators
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Tow Operator shot in Houston |
HOUSTON -- A tow truck driver was shot to death as he tried to tow a vehicle that was parked illegally in southwest Houston, police told KPRC Local 2.
Houston police said someone approached the 34-year-old driver as he walked to his tow truck in the 7000 block of Hillcroft Street near Bellaire Boulevard at about 5 p.m. Sunday.
The driver, whose name was not released, was shot several times and died at the scene, investigators said.
Read more of the story here...
and here....
Request from the Executive Director:
If someone could get me the information on the name of this professional tow operator and contact information for his family, it would greatly be appreciated. We would like to assist them in any way during this obviously troubled time.
Jess Horton - Executive Director
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