Download Basic License Application
Enter the tow truck company address as the “Address Where You Operate Your Business.”

Apply Online! Review requirements and click the link at the bottom of the page to submit your application.

See important message about Business Certificate below.

To apply for a Certificate of Authority to collect sales tax, visit www.businessexpress.ny.gov.

Download Roster of Vehicles.

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

You must submit a copy of the Certificate of Occupancy, Temporary Certificate of Occupancy (expiring no less than 30 days from date of application submission), OR Letter of No Objection from the Department of Buildings (DOB) confirming that your premises is suitable to operate your business.

If you submit a Certificate of Occupancy or Temporary Certificate of Occupancy, it must show approval of the premises for “Use Group 16” with a designation of “Auto Wrecking,” “Storage Garage,” “Dead Vehicle Storage,” “Vehicle Laundry/Car Wash,” “Vehicle Service,” or “Vehicle Repair,” or “IX (C) – Commercial or public vehicle storage; Dead storage of motor vehicles.”

Each individual named on the license application must submit one current color passport-size photograph of themselves.

Provide a copy of ONE of the following documents as proof of workers’ compensation insurance:

• C-105.2: Certificate of Workers’ Compensation Insurance
  OR
• U-26.3: State Insurance Fund Certificate of Workers’ Compensation Insurance
  OR
• Equivalent or successor form used by the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board

If you are not required by law to maintain workers’ compensation insurance, you must submit form CE-200: Certificate of Attestation of Exemption. For more information, visit New York State Workers’ Compensation Board at www.wcb.ny.gov.
Please note: ACORD forms are NOT acceptable proof of New York State workers' compensation coverage.

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, also known as “on hook” coverage

Alternatively, 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.

Note: You must notify DCWP within 10 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:

Attn: Licensing Center Vehicle Unit
NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP)
42 Broadway
New York, NY 10004

Applicants for a Tow Truck Company license must indicate which credit cards the business will accept and confirm whether or not the business will repair vehicles.

Download Business Information form.

• If you want to enroll your business in the Trust Fund, complete the Trust Fund Enrollment Form and pay a $200 fee.
• If you do not enroll your business in the Trust Fund, you must submit a copy of a $5,000 Surety Bond (or Third Party Bond), properly signed. The copy of the bond must name the City of New York as the Certificate Holder. Your corporate name, Doing-Business-As (DBA) name (if any), and premises address must be exactly the same on all documents. The bond must not expire before the end of the licensing period.
  Download a list of bonding companies. Note: The list is not exhaustive, and DCWP does not endorse or recommend any particular bonding company.

Submit ONE of the following documents as proof of right to use premises for your business:

• A copy of your deed or bill of sale OR
• A copy of your current lease
  (If you submit a sublease, you must also submit the original lease.)

Download the Roster of Tow Truck Drivers form.

Download the Tow Truck Company Electronic Recordkeeping Compliance Affirmation.

All sole proprietors, general partners, corporate officers, principals, directors, members, and all shareholders owning more than 10% of company stock must schedule an appointment with IdentoGO to be fingerprinted:

• Visit https://uenroll.identogo.com
• Enter:
  1. Service Code. Enter 1585N7
  2. Agency ID. Enter 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.

DCWP must inspect your business premises and tow trucks before your business can operate. Review the Inspection Checklist.

Required if someone other than the license applicant will prepare and submit this application. The applicant must sign the license application and all related forms. Download Granting Authority to Act Affirmation.

License Period: 2 years

Expiration Date: April 30 in Even Years

License Fee: $600 for 2 years (includes 1 truck)

Fee for Additional Trucks: $600 per truck

Inspection Fee: $50 per truck

If You File Your Application Between These Dates:

• From May 1 in an even year to October 31 in an even year:
  • Pay $600 + $50 Inspection Fee per truck for a license expiring April 30 of the next even year. (Valid for at most 24 months.)
• From November 1 in an even year to April 30 in an odd year:
  • Pay $450 + $50 Inspection Fee per truck for a license expiring April 30 of the following year. (Valid for at most 18 months.)
• From May 1 in an odd year to October 31 in an odd year:
  • Pay $300 + $50 Inspection Fee per truck for a license expiring April 30 of the soonest even year. (Valid for at most 12 months.)
• From November 1 in an odd year to April 30 in an even year:
  • Option 1: Pay $150 + $50 Inspection Fee per truck for a license expiring April 30 of the soonest even year. (Valid for at most 6 months.)
  • Option 2: Pay $750 + $50 Inspection Fee per truck for a license expiring April 30 of the next even year. (Valid for at most 30 months.)

Pay by:

• Credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover Card only) (Online or in person)
  You will be charged a nonrefundable 2% Convenience Fee.
• eCheck (Online)
• Check or money order payable to DCWP (In person or by mail)