Tow Truck Company License

You need a Tow Truck Company License if your business moves or removes disabled cars, illegally parked cars, abandoned cars or cars in accidents. The New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) issues this license.

• Submit the business certificate
  You must submit the right Business Certificate based on your business's legal structure.

  • Sole proprietors using a name other than your own must have a Business/Assumed Name Certificate.
  • Partnerships must have a Partnership Certificate and, if needed, an Assumed Name Certificate.
  • Corporations, limited partnerships, limited liability companies or limited liability partnerships must register and stay active with the New York State Division of Corporations. Check your status at www.dos.ny.gov/corps.

• Complete the basic license application
  Fill out the Basic License Application.
  
  The application needs business information, identification numbers (like EIN, SSN or ITIN), contact details, history of criminal or civil charges, and any DCWP license history for individuals named on the application.

• Provide Sales Tax Identification Number
  The business must provide their New York State Sales Tax Identification Number or Certificate of Authority Application Confirmation Number on the Basic License Application.

• Complete the Roster of Vehicles Form
  Download the Roster of Vehicles (PDF)

• Submit truck registration
  Submit a copy of the New York State Commercial Truck Registration for each vehicle listed on the Roster of Vehicles.
  
  The address on the registrations must match the address on the license application.

• Submit passport-size photos
  Submit one current color passport-size photo of each person named on the license application. DCWP will take photos at no cost at the DCWP Licensing Center. If applying online, you can upload an image file.

• Complete the business information form
  
  Indicate which credit cards the business will accept and confirm if the business will repair vehicles. If so, submit a copy of the business's current Repair Shop Registration from the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles.
  Download business information form (PDF)

• Submit proof of workers' compensation insurance
  
  Acceptable proofs include:

  • A copy of an insurance certificate for workers' compensation insurance from a private insurance carrier or the New York State Insurance Fund Office.
  • A Certificate of Attestation of Exemption from the New York State Workers' Compensation Board (WCB) if the business claims exemption from the requirement to hold workers' compensation insurance.
    Visit the WCB website to see if you can claim exemption

• Submit proof of insurance for tow trucks
  
  The law requires DCWP-licensed tow truck companies to maintain the following minimum amount of liability coverage for all tow trucks:

  • $200,000 for injury or death per person
  • $500,000 for injury or death per accident
  • $50,000 for property damage per accident
  • $25,000 for damage to a vehicle in the care, custody and control of the tow company
    OR
  • DCWP will accept $1,000,000 in combined single limit coverage AND $25,000 "on hook" coverage.
    You must submit ONE of the following as proof of insurance:
  • A certificate of liability insurance issued by the insurance company within the last 30 days.
  • A policy declarations page issued by the insurance company within the last 60 days.
  • A certificate of liability insurance issued by the broker within the last 30 days AND a notarized Certification by Insurance Broker or Agent.

• Complete the Trust Fund Enrollment Form
  Trust Fund Enrollment Form (PDF)
  
  Or submit a copy of a $5,000 surety bond (or third-party bond), properly signed. If submitting a bond, it must name the City of New York as the Certificate Holder. The business' name, the Doing-Business-As (DBA) name (if any) and the premises address must be the same on all documents. Submit a copy of the bond receipt showing that the bond has been paid in full and does not expire before the end of the licensing period.
  List of bonding companies (PDF)

• Submit proof of right to use premises
  Submit proof of right to use premises in either of the following forms:

  • A copy of the deed or bill of sale
  • A copy of the current lease

• Complete the roster of tow truck drivers

• Complete the Granting Authority to Act Affirmation
  If the license application will be filed by someone other than the applicant, complete the Granting Authority to Act Affirmation.
  Download Granting Authority to Act Affirmation (PDF)

• Schedule fingerprinting
  All sole proprietors, general partners, corporate officers, principals, directors, members and shareholders owning 10% or more of company stock must schedule an appointment with IdentoGO to be fingerprinted.
  
  Visit uenroll.identogo.com. Enter Service Code and Agency ID. Service Code is 1585N7. Agency ID is the numbers only from Application Number. Application Number is on your receipt or confirmation letter when you apply online. Example: For Application Number 1234567-2023-AHIC, enter only 12345672023 as Agency ID. Follow the instructions and pay the required fee(s). IMPORTANT: Anyone required to be fingerprinted should schedule an appointment as soon as possible to complete this requirement.

• List of fees

  • $600: License Fee per truck for applicants who file for a new Tow Truck Company License from May 1 of years that end in an even number to October 31 of years that end in an even number.
  • $450: License Fee per truck for applicants who file for a new Tow Truck Company License from November 1 of years that end in an even number to April 30 of years that end in an odd number.
  • $300: License Fee per truck for applicants who file for a new Tow Truck Company License from May 1 of years that end in an odd number to October 31 of years that end in an odd number.
  • $150: License Fee per truck for applicants who file for Tow Truck Company License from November 1 of years that end in an odd number to April 30 of years that end in an even number.
  • $200: Trust Fund Enrollment Fee
  • Fingerprint Processing Fee per person.
  • $50: Tow Truck Inspection Fee per truck.
  • Non-Refundable 2 percent convenience fee for paying with a credit card.

• List of accepted payment methods

  • Check (payable to NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection; accepted only for in-person application submissions.)
  • Money order (payable to NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection; accepted only for in-person application submissions.)
  • Credit card including Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover Card.

• DCWP will contact you: They will set up a time to inspect your business and tow trucks.
  Note: All trucks on the list must be there for the inspection.

• Within two weeks of DCWP getting all required materials, you will get one of these letters by mail about your license:

  • If your application is approved, DCWP will send you a license.
  • If your application needs more information, DCWP will tell you by mail. They will give you steps on how to send the needed information. If you do not send the needed materials to DCWP within 10 days of getting this letter, your application will be denied.
  • If your application is denied, DCWP will explain why. They will also tell you how to apply again.

• License validity:

  • Licenses last for up to two years. They expire on April 30 of even-numbered years.

• Information updates:

  • If your approved application information changes, tell the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP).

  • Call 311 or visit the DCWP Licensing Center.

  • DCWP suggests calling 311 to check if you need to visit the center.

  • You can only visit the Licensing Center if you have a disability and need to make an in-person visit. You can read this flyer to learn how to make an appointment.

• Insurance notification:

  • Tell DCWP within 14 days if your insurance is canceled, expired or terminated.

  • You must notify them in writing. Submit it in person or by mail to the DCWP Licensing Center.

  • You can only visit the Licensing Center if you have a disability and need to make an in-person visit. You can read this flyer to learn how to make an appointment.

• Program applications:

  • After holding a Tow Truck Company license for more than one year, you can apply for the Directed Accident Response Program (DARP) or the Rotation Tow Program (ROTOW).
  • For more information, email specialappsunit2@dcwp.nyc.gov.

• Compliance with laws:

  • Follow all New York City laws and rules, including the Consumer Protection Law and Rules. You can find them on the Public Access Portal.

• Review requirements
  Review the requirements for the license and gather all materials before going to the Apply Online page.

• Print Confirmation Page
  After submitting an application online, print a copy of the Confirmation Page. The Confirmation Page will list the additional steps and materials required to complete the application. These materials are also listed above and must be submitted within five business days of filing the application online if they were not uploaded as part of the online application submission.

• Complete forms and gather documents
  Complete the required application forms and gather all necessary documentation.

• Schedule an appointment
  Schedule an appointment to file in person at the DCWP Licensing Center. You can only visit the Licensing Center if you have a disability and need to make an in-person visit. You can read this flyer to learn how to make an appointment.

• Before the license expires, DCWP will mail you a renewal application and instructions.
• If you want to keep operating, submit your renewal application at least 15 days before the license expires.

• Before the license expires, DCWP will mail you a renewal application and instructions.

• If you want to keep operating, submit your renewal application, required documents and fees at least 15 days before the license expires.

• You must make an appointment to file in person at the DCWP Licensing Center. You can only visit the Licensing Center if you have a disability and need to make an in-person visit. You can read this flyer to learn how to make an appointment.

• Before the license expires, DCWP will mail you a renewal application and instructions.

• If you want to keep operating, submit your renewal application, required documents and fees at least 15 days before the license expires.

• Mail materials using the orange return envelope to the DCWP Licensing Center.
  
  NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP)
  Licensing Center
  42 Broadway
  New York, NY 10004
  Email: specialappsunit2@dcwp.nyc.gov