Help/Assistance

Other sources of help, information, and references:

Subject matter expert contact information:

(360) 664-6466

dealerlicensing@dol.wa.gov

Tow Truck

Description/Purpose

All tow vehicles used by Registered Tow Truck Operators are required to have a valid permit (also known as ‘cab card’) to identify the tow truck as well as indicate the class of truck and the Registered Tow Truck Operator.

Triggers and activities which would require this permit

Registered tow truck operators who engage in the impounding, transporting, or storage of unauthorized vehicles or the disposal of abandoned vehicles are required to have a valid permit for each tow truck

Costs/Fees
100
see details

$100.00 - Operator fee

Statutory Details: RCW 46.55

Prepared from information and data submitted for calendar year 2024.

Application Information

The application is online and can be accessed at https://www.dol.wa.gov/business/vehicletransport/vttowtruckop.html.

Use the Registered Tow Truck Operator Checklist to make sure you have everything you need for your application.

  • Vehicle Transport/Disposal Addendum (dor.wa.gov) (Sections A & B on both page 1 and page 2)
  • $5,000 bond – Provide Vehicle, Vessel, Vehicle Manufacturer, Registered Tow Truck Operator, or Wrecker Business Bond or form from the bonding company
    • Bonds are available through insurance companies.
    • The principal name must be exactly the same as both the business owner and business firm name.
    • Bond must be signed by the applicant and the attorney–in–fact for the bonding company.
  • Registered Tow Truck Operator Official Fees
  • Original Tow Truck–Business–Operator–Equipment Inspection Report issued by inspecting officer from the Washington State Patrol.
  • Driver list: Names and addresses of all employees who'll drive a tow truck.
  • Proof of insurance:
    • $100,000 liability for bodily injury or property damage.
    • $50,000 garage keepers and $50,000 on hook or cargo, for liability against damage to vehicles while they're in your custody

Registered Tow Truck Operator / Tow Truck permit applications are submitted to the Department of Revenues Business Licensing Services (DOR) and jointly processed by DOL and DOR.

Apply online with the Department of Revenue (dor.wa.gov)

What you'll need:

  • Supporting documents shown below, ready for upload. See How to upload documents
  • Visa, MasterCard or American Express credit/debit card (transaction fee charged) or bank account information for E–check to pay:
    • Applicable BLS fees
    • Registered tow truck operator license and tow truck permit fees

Apply by mail

  1. Complete or obtain the following:
  2. Mail the completed forms and supporting documents with a check/money order payable to the Department of Revenue for the BLS fees and the motor vehicle salvage processor license and plate fees to:

       State of Washington
       Business Licensing Service
       PO Box 9034
       Olympia, WA 98507–9034

Annual renewal

Agency Analysis
33
n/a
n/a
14
n/a
14
n/a
1
see details

DOL considers applications backlogged if they have not been touched for 14 business days after being received.

Prepared from information and data submitted for calendar year 2024.

Permit Timeliness Results

Permit Timeliness data collection is in response to a State Auditor’s Performance Audit and RCW 43.42A. Each regulatory agency developed a plan to improve permit clarity, predictability, and timeliness. Each agency considers the customers experience to ensure permit assistance is simple to use, easy to access, and designed in a customer-friendly manner. Agencies report progress to the Governor’s Office for Regulatory Innovation and Assistance (ORIA). ORIA prepares and distributes reports, with participation from the State Auditor’s Office and Results Washington. See latest report here: https://www.oria.wa.gov/ORIA-2020-PermitTimelinessProgressReport.pdf.

Estimated Time Required By the Agency to Process a Permit Application (Definition)
Average days from Receipt to Complete: 22.3
Maximum days from Receipt to Complete: 167

Estimated Time Required By the Agency to Issue a Permit Decision (Definition)
Average days from Complete Application to Decision: 1
Maximum days from Complete Application to Decision: 1


(Summary results based on 355 submittals in 2024)

Published Decision Time
n/a

1 day
Statutory Details: None

Prepared from information and data submitted for calendar year 2024.

Legal authority
Contacts
Department of Licensing, Transportation Services - Tow Trucks
Post Office Box 9034
Olympia WA 98507-9034
Email: dealerlicensing@dol.wa.gov
Website: https://www.dol.wa.gov
* Credential details last updated 10/20/2022
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