I need a tow truck.
'Carroattrezzi' = KAR-roh-at-TRETS-ee. A compound word — literally 'tools car'. Stress the final syllable.
Use after an accident when your vehicle cannot be driven. Call your insurance's roadside assistance (soccorso stradale) or a local towing company.
Italian insurance policies typically include soccorso stradale (roadside assistance). On motorways, you can also call the Autostrade per l'Italia emergency number. Tow trucks (carroattrezzi) must be authorised — unofficial operators approaching accident scenes are a known scam.
L'auto non è guidabile.
The car is not driveable.
Confirms the need for a tow — relevant for insurance claims.
Può chiamare il soccorso stradale della mia assicurazione?
Can you call my insurance roadside assistance?
Ask police or a bystander if you can't make the call yourself.
Dove viene portata la macchina?
Where is the car being taken?
Important to know — you need the garage address for insurance.
On Italian motorways, only officially authorised carroattrezzi may operate. Unofficial tow trucks that approach uninvited may charge extortionate fees. Ask the police or Autostrade to call the authorised operator.