business.gov.au

Tow Truck Operator's Licence - New South Wales

Description

You will need this licence to operate a tow truck business.

There are four licence categories for different types of towing work:

  • Category A: accident and breakdown / trade tow
  • Category B: breakdown / trade tow
  • Category B-Restricted: towing for the purposes of vehicle dismantling, vehicle demolishing, vehicle/metal recycling.

You do not need a tow truck operator licence if you are towing, salvaging or storing certain exempted vehicles and trailers. A full list of all exempted vehicles can be found here.

Service type

Licence

A licence defines the need to obtain recognition / certification and registration to undertake a certain business activity.

Eligibility requirements

To be eligible for this licence, you must:

  • be at least 18 years old
  • be of good repute and a fit and proper person for the purpose of operating a tow truck
  • be able to meet and continue to meet the appropriate requirements in respect of business premises, vehicle and insurance
  • have read and understood the criteria, conditions and procedures for licensing that are outlined in the information package
  • meet all the requirements specified in the criteria.

Prerequisites

Might Need

National Police Certificate

Duration

One, three or five years

Fees

Fees Details for this service in table format.

Task Type Business Structure Amount Description
Apply Application All -

Grant or restoration of licence (metro):

  • 1 year - $1307.00
  • 3 year - $3006.00
  • 5 year - $4705.00.

Grant or restoration of licence (country):

  • 1 year - $842.00
  • 3 year - $1609.00
  • 5 year - $2376.00.

Other fees are listed here.

Fees for 2025-26
Apply Application All $38.00

Reissue of conditional licence. Fees for 2025-26
Apply Application All $686.00

Grant of licence under mutual recognition - 1 year. Fees for 2025-26
Apply Application All $442.00

Stand-by tow truck application fee. Fees for 2025-26
General Duplicate Certificate All $38.00

Replacement of licence. Fees for 2025-26
Renew Renewal All -

Renewal of licence (metro):

  • 1 year - $1307.00
  • 3 year - $3006.00
  • 5 year - $4705.00.

Renewal of licence (country):

  • 1 year - $842.00
  • 3 year - $1609.00
  • 5 year - $2376.00.

Fees for 2025-26
Vary Variation All $70.00

Amendment/Variation of licence. Fees for 2025-26

Forms

Act(s) name

Tow Truck Industry Act 1998 New South Wales

Regulation(s) name

Tow Truck Industry Regulation 2020 New South Wales

Administering agency

Department of Customer Service

NSW Fair Trading

Contact details

Contact Email, Phone and Address Details for this service in simple two column table format, header then data.