RACV roadside assistance is a membership service that sends help when your car breaks down or you’re stuck on the road. You get emergency support like jump starts, tyre changes, lockout help, fuel delivery and towing to a repairer. RACV operates across Victoria and Australia, covering members who need urgent help after accidents, mechanical failures or common car problems. It’s designed to get you moving again or transport your vehicle safely when you can’t drive it.
This article breaks down everything you need to know about RACV’s roadside service. You’ll learn what’s covered under each membership tier, how towing limits and call-out rules work, what you’ll pay for different plans, and how to contact RACV when you need help fast. We’ll also explain eligibility requirements, service restrictions and what happens when you exceed your annual limit. By the end, you’ll know if RACV suits your needs or if alternative providers offer better value for your situation.
Why RACV roadside assistance matters
You face real risk every time you drive. Mechanical failures, flat batteries and punctured tyres can strand you on busy highways, remote country roads or in dangerous locations at night. Without roadside cover, you’re stuck paying expensive towing bills, arranging your own transport and coordinating repairs from the roadside. RACV roadside assistance removes that stress by guaranteeing help arrives when you need it most, no matter where you break down across Victoria or Australia.
Breakdowns cost more than you expect
Towing a broken vehicle 20 kilometres without membership can cost you $200 to $400, depending on the time of day and location. You’ll also pay separately for battery replacements, emergency fuel delivery or locksmith services if you’re locked out. These one-off charges add up fast, often exceeding what you’d pay for an annual membership. RACV membership caps your costs and gives you unlimited call-outs on most plans, so you’re never hit with surprise bills after an emergency.
RACV provides financial protection against unexpected breakdown costs while ensuring you get professional help when you need it most.
Your car insurance doesn’t cover breakdowns
Most comprehensive car insurance policies only cover damage from accidents, theft or weather events. They don’t send help when your alternator fails, your fuel runs empty or your battery dies in a shopping centre car park. RACV roadside assistance fills this gap by providing mechanical emergency support that insurance companies won’t touch. You need both types of cover to protect yourself fully, and combining them gives you complete peace of mind on every journey you take.
What RACV roadside assistance includes
RACV roadside assistance covers mechanical emergencies and common car problems that stop you from driving safely. Your membership gives you access to trained technicians who fix simple issues on the spot or arrange transport to the nearest repairer. Each plan includes a set number of service call-outs per year, with higher tiers offering unlimited assistance and extended coverage across Australia. You can use your membership for any vehicle you’re travelling in as a driver or passenger, not just your registered car.
Common breakdown services
Members receive help with flat batteries, including jump starts and replacement batteries at discounted prices. You also get tyre changes when you have a puncture, lockout assistance if you lock keys inside your vehicle, and emergency fuel delivery when you run empty. RACV technicians provide minor mechanical repairs at the roadside when possible, such as replacing blown fuses or fixing loose connections. If your car can’t be fixed on site, they arrange towing to your chosen repairer within your plan’s distance limit.
RACV covers the most frequent causes of breakdowns, ensuring you receive appropriate help for each situation.
Coverage area and vehicle types
Your membership works across Victoria for basic plans, with national coverage available on premium tiers. You’re protected in cars, motorcycles, caravans and light commercial vehicles up to 4.5 tonnes. RACV extends cover to rental vehicles and cars you borrow, as long as you’re the driver when the breakdown occurs. Membership follows you rather than a specific vehicle registration, giving you flexibility when you switch cars or travel with family members.
Towing rules, call-outs and service limits
RACV roadside assistance applies towing distance limits and annual call-out caps that vary by membership tier. Basic plans typically include 10 kilometres of towing per service, while premium memberships extend this to unlimited distance. You’re allowed a set number of service call-outs each year, ranging from four on entry-level plans to unlimited on top tiers. Once you exceed your allocation, you pay call-out fees for additional services.
Towing distance and transfer rules
Your towing limit determines how far RACV transports your vehicle from the breakdown location. Entry-level memberships cover 10 to 15 kilometres, which gets you to the nearest repairer in urban situations. Higher tiers offer 100 kilometres or unlimited towing, essential for regional breakdowns. RACV calculates distance from your breakdown point to your chosen destination. You can request towing to your home, preferred mechanic or closest repairer, but distances beyond your limit incur additional charges per kilometre.
Annual service call-out caps
Membership plans restrict the number of times you can call for help each year. Basic plans allow four call-outs over 12 months, while mid-tier options increase this to six or eight services. Premium tiers remove these restrictions entirely, giving you unlimited call-outs regardless of how often you need assistance.
Your call-out limit resets annually on your membership renewal date, not on the calendar year.
Costs, membership options and eligibility
RACV offers multiple membership tiers with annual fees ranging from approximately $90 to $250, depending on coverage levels and service limits. Basic plans provide essential breakdown cover within Victoria, while premium options include unlimited towing, national coverage and additional benefits like accommodation assistance. You choose your plan based on how often you drive, where you travel and whether you need coverage beyond metropolitan areas. Prices increase when you add extra drivers or upgrade to family memberships that protect multiple household members.
Membership tiers and annual fees
Entry-level plans start around $90 to $120 per year and include limited towing distance with a four-call-out cap. Mid-tier memberships cost $150 to $180 and extend your towing range to 100 kilometres with six to eight annual services. Premium plans reach $200 to $250 and remove distance restrictions entirely, giving you unlimited call-outs across Australia.
Premium memberships deliver better value if you drive frequently or travel long distances outside metropolitan areas.
Eligibility and joining requirements
You can join racv roadside assistance as an Australian resident aged 18 or older with a valid address. Membership starts immediately after payment, though some plans impose waiting periods of 24 to 48 hours before you can request service. RACV accepts new members regardless of vehicle age or condition, but you cannot join while currently broken down or needing immediate assistance.
How to request RACV help fast
You contact RACV roadside assistance immediately when your vehicle breaks down by calling 13 11 11 from anywhere in Australia. This number connects you to their emergency response team 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can also request help through the RACV mobile app or online member portal if you have internet access, though calling delivers the fastest response during genuine emergencies. Have your membership number ready when you contact them to speed up the verification process.
Contact methods and information to prepare
RACV prioritises phone calls for urgent breakdowns because operators can assess your situation immediately and dispatch the nearest technician. The mobile app lets you track your technician’s arrival in real time after you lodge a request, showing their estimated arrival time on a map. Before you call, move to a safe location away from traffic if possible and turn on your hazard lights to alert other drivers.
Details you need to provide
Operators ask for your exact location, including street names, landmarks or kilometre markers if you’re on a highway. You must describe the problem with your vehicle, such as a flat battery, puncture or engine failure, so they send the right equipment. They’ll also confirm your membership tier to determine your towing distance and verify you haven’t exceeded your annual call-out limit.
Accurate location details help RACV dispatch the closest technician and reduce your waiting time significantly.
Next steps
You now understand how RACV roadside assistance works, what services you receive and how much different membership tiers cost. You’ve learned about towing distance limits, annual call-out caps and the process for requesting emergency help when your vehicle breaks down. This information helps you decide whether RACV suits your driving habits and coverage needs or if alternative providers offer better value for your situation.
Compare RACV’s fees and service limits against your actual driving patterns before committing to a membership. If you travel frequently outside Victoria or need unlimited towing, premium plans deliver stronger protection than basic tiers. Review your current car insurance policy to confirm it doesn’t already include roadside assistance as a bundled benefit, which could save you from paying twice for similar coverage. Most comprehensive policies don’t cover mechanical breakdowns, so you’ll need separate protection.
National Cover specialises in comprehensive car insurance that protects your vehicle against accidents, theft and damage. Visit National Cover to explore insurance options that complement your roadside assistance membership and give you complete protection on every journey.
