Tow Truck Company License

You must submit the applicable Business Certificate based on your business’s legal structure.

• Sole proprietors operating under a name other than your own must have a Business/Assumed Name Certificate.
• Partnerships must have a Partnership Certificate and, if applicable, an Assumed Name Certificate for your business.
• Corporations, Limited Partnerships, Limited Liability Companies, or Limited Liability Partnerships must register and remain active with the New York State Division of Corporations. You can check your status at www.dos.ny.gov/corps.

Complete the Basic License Application.

The Basic License Application requires business information, including applicable identification numbers (such as EIN, SSN, or ITIN); contact information for the business location and business owner, history of criminal and / or civil charges for the business owners, partners, shareholders, and officers; and any DCWP license history for individuals named on the application and their relatives.

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

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Complete the Roster of Vehicles form.

Roster of Vehicles

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 provided on the license application.

Submit one current color passport-size photograph of each individual named on the license application. DCWP will photograph license applicants at no cost in the DCWP Licensing Center or Small Business Support Center. If submitting application online, applicant can upload an image file.

Completed the Business Information Form. Applicants must indicate which credit cards the business will accept and confirm whether or not the business will repair vehicles. If the business plans to repair vehicles, please submit a copy of the business’ current Repair Shop Registration from the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles.

Business Information

Applicant must submit proof of workers' compensation insurance information. 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 business claims exemption from the requirement to hold workers’ compensation insurance.

Workers Compensation Board Homepage

Submit proof of insurance for the business' tow trucks. The law requires DCWP-licensed tow truck companies to maintain the following minimum amount of liability coverage for all tow truck:
- $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 (PDF) or submit a copy of a $5,000 surety bond (or third party bond), properly signed. If applicant is submitting a copy of the bond, the bond must name the City of New York as the Certificate Holder. The business’s name, the Doing-Business-As (DBA) name (if any), and the premises address must be exactly the same on all documents. Applicant must also 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. View a LIST OF BONDING COMPANIES (PDF).

Submit proof of right to use premises in either of the following forms:
- A copy of the deed or bill of sale OR
- A copy of the current lease

Complete the Roster of Tow Truck Drivers.

If the license application will be filed by someone other than the applicant, complete the Granting Authority to Act Affirmation.

Granting Authority to Act

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 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 applicant to schedule an appointment to inspect the business premises and tow trucks before the business can operate. Note: All trucks listed on the Roster of Vehicles must be present at the time of the inspection.

Within two weeks of DCWP receiving all required materials, applicants will receive one of the following notifications by mail with the status of their license application.
- If the application is approved, DCWP will issue the applicant a license document.
- If the application requires additional information, DCWP will notify the applicant by mail with instructions on how to submit this information. If the applicant does not submit the requested materials to DCWP within 10 days of receiving this notification letter, the application will be denied.
- If the application is denied, DCWP will provide an explanation for the denial and information about the reapplication process.

Licenses are valid for up to two years and expire on April 30 of years that end in an even number.

If any of the information submitted in the approved application changes, the licensee must inform DCWP of those changes by calling 311 or by visiting the DCWP Licensing Center or NYC Small Business Support Center. DCWP recommends that licensees call 311 to confirm that they need to go to a Center for any specific change. You must schedule an appointment to visit in person. View flyer to learn how to schedule an appointment.

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You must notify DCWP within 14 days if your insurance policy is cancelled, expired, or was terminated for any reason. Notification must be in writing and submitted in person OR by mail to the DCWP Licensing Center or NYC Small Business Support Center. You must schedule an appointment to visit in person. View flyer to learn how to schedule an appointment.

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

All laws and rules of the City of New York, including the Consumer Protection Law and Rules, are available through the PUBLIC ACCESS PORTAL.

Review the requirements for the license and gather all materials before clicking the Apply Online button. Note: You will be redirected to a new web page where you will need a registered account with the City of New York to submit an online application.

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Apply Online

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 the required application forms and gather all necessary documentation identified in the section above.

Schedule an appointment to file in person at the DCWP Licensing Center or NYC Small Business Support Center. View flyer to learn how to schedule an appointment.

Before the license expires, DCWP will mail a license renewal application and instructions to the licensee. If the licensee plans to continue operating, the licensee must submit their renewal application at least 15 days before the license expires.

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Renew Online

Before the license expires, DCWP will mail a license renewal application and instructions to the licensee. If the licensee plans to continue operating, the licensee must submit their renewal application, required documents, and fees at least 15 days before the license expires. Licensee must schedule an appointment to file in person at the DCWP Licensing Center or NYC Small Business Support Center. View flyer to learn how to schedule an appointment.

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Before the license expires, DCWP will mail a license renewal application and instructions to the licensee. If the licensee plans to continue operating, the licensee must submit their renewal application, required documents, and fees at least 15 days before the license expires. Licensee can mail materials using the orange return envelope to the DCWP Licensing Center.

contact-info

NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP)

Licensing Center

42 Broadway, Lobby

New York

NY

10004

onlineappsdocs@dcwp.nyc.gov