Am I allowed to tow my own car? The rules for using a tow rope
It is permitted — but rarely advisable.
What is allowed
You may pull your own vehicle or someone else’s vehicle with a tow rope — provided both vehicles are roadworthy enough to take part in traffic.
That means the steering and brakes have to work. The driver in the towed vehicle must be able to steer and brake. Towing without working brakes is not allowed — it is life-threatening and prohibited.
Towing with a rope is only permitted as far as the nearest garage or the next safe place to park — not right across the city and not as a means of transport.
What is not allowed
Towing on the motorway is generally prohibited. Anyone who breaks down on the motorway must be towed professionally.
Anyone who tows a vehicle without working brakes risks heavy fines and endangers others. This is considered grossly negligent.
A vehicle without registration is not allowed to take part in traffic — not even on a tow rope. In this case the only option is transport on a flatbed.
In practice
Even when everything is legal, towing with a rope is exhausting, slow and error-prone. The rope has to stay taut — as soon as it goes slack and then snaps tight, it can break. The driver behind has to stay concentrated the whole time.
On modern vehicles with power steering and brake boosters, these systems often do not work properly without a running engine. Steering becomes hard, and so does braking. Many people underestimate this.
One wrong moment, a red light, an unexpected braking manoeuvre — and the rope breaks or the towed vehicle rear-ends the one in front. The risk is high.
When a professional towing service makes more sense
If you are stuck on the motorway: mandatory.
If the brakes do not work: mandatory.
If the vehicle is not registered: mandatory.
If you feel unsure: recommended.
If the distance is more than a few hundred metres: recommended.
We pick up your vehicle, load it safely and take it wherever you want it to go. No stress, no risk, no discussion with the police.