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Tow Truck Operator
Tow truck operator licensing varies widely across the United States. Some states license individual operators, others license only companies, and many have no state-level licensing at all. Insurance, nonconsent tow rates, and CDL requirements add complexity to this state-regulated profession.
51
Total States
34
Require License
18
Individual License
32
Rate Regulated
Tow truck operator licensing is state-regulated with wide variation. Understanding the difference between individual and company licensing is key to compliance.
Some states license individual tow truck operators, requiring background checks and training. Others only license tow companies, requiring business permits and insurance. About one-third of states have no state-level licensing at all.
Most licensing states require substantial insurance: general liability ($300K-$1M), garage keeper's liability, and sometimes surety bonds. Many states also regulate maximum rates for nonconsent (police-ordered) tows.
Federal law requires a CDL for towing vehicles with GVWR over 26,000 lbs. Most states require periodic vehicle inspections, proper equipment (safety lights, chains), and company markings on all tow trucks.
Side-by-side fees, hours, exams, and timelines across all 50 states. Sort by cost, hours, or any column.
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Click any column header to sort. Click a state to view full requirements.
| State | Licensed | License Type | Background | Min Insurance | Training Hrs | Total Fees | Rate Reg. | Confidence | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama(AL) | Yes | Company | No | $300,000 | — | $50 | Yes | low | March 2026 |
| Alaska(AK) | No | None | No | — | — | N/A | No | high | March 2026 |
| Arizona(AZ) | Yes | Company | No | $300,000 | — | $50 | Yes | low | March 2026 |
| Arkansas(AR) | No | None | No | — | — | N/A | No | high | March 2026 |
| California(CA) | Yes | Company | Yes | $750,000 | 8 | $75 | Yes | medium | March 2026 |
| Colorado(CO) | Yes | Company | No | $500,000 | — | $75 | Yes | medium | March 2026 |
| Connecticut(CT) | Yes | Individual | Yes | $500,000 | 8 | $100 | Yes | medium | March 2026 |
| Delaware(DE) | Yes | Company | No | $300,000 | — | $50 | No | low | March 2026 |
| District of Columbia(DC) | Yes | Individual | Yes | $500,000 | — | $50 | Yes | low | March 2026 |
| Florida(FL) | Yes | Individual | Yes | $300,000 | 4 | $50 | Yes | low | March 2026 |
| Georgia(GA) | Yes | Individual | Yes | $500,000 | — | $75 | Yes | medium | March 2026 |
| Hawaii(HI) | Yes | Individual | No | $300,000 | — | $35 | No | medium | March 2026 |
| Idaho(ID) | No | None | No | — | — | N/A | No | high | March 2026 |
| Illinois(IL) | Yes | Individual | No | $500,000 | — | $500 | Yes | medium | March 2026 |
| Indiana(IN) | Yes | Individual | Yes | $500,000 | — | $100 | Yes | medium | March 2026 |
| Iowa(IA) | No | None | No | — | — | N/A | No | high | March 2026 |
| Kansas(KS) | No | None | No | — | — | N/A | No | high | March 2026 |
| Kentucky(KY) | Yes | Company | No | $300,000 | — | $50 | Yes | low | March 2026 |
| Louisiana(LA) | Yes | Company | No | $500,000 combined single limits (public liability and property damage) | — | $100 | Yes | medium | March 2026 |
| Maine(ME) | No | None | No | — | — | N/A | No | high | March 2026 |
| Maryland(MD) | Yes | Individual | Yes | $500,000 | — | $100 | Yes | medium | March 2026 |
| Massachusetts(MA) | Yes | Individual | Yes | $500,000 | — | $100 | Yes | medium | March 2026 |
| Michigan(MI) | Yes | Company | No | $300,000 | — | $50 | Yes | low | March 2026 |
| Minnesota(MN) | Yes | Individual | No | $500,000 | — | $75 | Yes | medium | March 2026 |
| Mississippi(MS) | No | None | No | — | — | N/A | No | high | March 2026 |
| Missouri(MO) | Yes | Individual | No | $300,000 | — | $50 | Yes | low | March 2026 |
| Montana(MT) | No | None | No | — | — | N/A | No | high | March 2026 |
| Nebraska(NE) | No | None | No | — | — | N/A | No | high | March 2026 |
| Nevada(NV) | Yes | Company (CPCN issued to operator/company) | Yes | $500,000 | — | $125 | Yes | medium | March 2026 |
| New Hampshire(NH) | No | None | No | — | — | N/A | No | high | March 2026 |
| New Jersey(NJ) | Yes | Individual | Yes | $500,000 | 8 | $150 | Yes | medium | March 2026 |
| New Mexico(NM) | No | None | No | — | — | N/A | No | high | March 2026 |
| New York(NY) | Yes | Individual | Yes | $1,000,000 | 8 | $125 | Yes | medium | March 2026 |
| North Carolina(NC) | Yes | Company | No | $300,000 | — | $50 | Yes | low | March 2026 |
| North Dakota(ND) | No | None | No | — | — | N/A | No | high | March 2026 |
| Ohio(OH) | Yes | Individual | Yes | $300,000 per City of Cleveland tow truck vehicle license requirements | — | $50 | Yes | low | March 2026 |
| Oklahoma(OK) | Yes | Company | No | $300,000 | — | $75 | Yes | medium | March 2026 |
| Oregon(OR) | Yes | Individual | No | $500,000 | — | $50 | Yes | low | March 2026 |
| Pennsylvania(PA) | Yes | Individual | No | $300,000 | — | $50 | Yes | low | March 2026 |
| Rhode Island(RI) | No | None | No | — | — | N/A | No | high | March 2026 |
| South Carolina(SC) | Yes | Company | No | $300,000 | — | $50 | Yes | low | March 2026 |
| South Dakota(SD) | No | None | No | — | — | N/A | No | high | March 2026 |
| Tennessee(TN) | Yes | Company-level approval (no individual operator license required at state level) | No | $300,000 | — | $75 | Yes | medium | March 2026 |
| Texas(TX) | Yes | Individual | Yes | $500,000 | 8 | $200 | Yes | medium | March 2026 |
| Utah(UT) | Yes | Company | No | $300,000 | — | $50 | Yes | low | March 2026 |
| Vermont(VT) | No | None (confirmed as of 2024 AGO report; proposed legislation H.268 may change this) | No | — | — | N/A | No | high | March 2026 |
| Virginia(VA) | Yes | Individual | Yes | $500,000 | 8 | $75 | Yes | medium | March 2026 |
| Washington(WA) | Yes | Company/business (endorsement to state business license) | Yes | $500,000 | 8 | $100 | Yes | medium | March 2026 |
| West Virginia(WV) | No | None | No | — | — | N/A | No | high | March 2026 |
| Wisconsin(WI) | Yes | Company | No | $300,000 | — | $50 | Yes | low | March 2026 |
| Wyoming(WY) | No | None | No | — | — | N/A | No | high | March 2026 |
Tow truck operators often work alongside other licensed professionals. Explore related licensing requirements.
Training guides and resources for tow truck operators and WreckMaster certification.
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See the full comparison table above for all 51 states.
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See which states have reciprocity for Tow Truck Operator licenses and what's required to transfer.
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