🚗 Tow Truck Operator License Requirements by State

Compare tow truck operator license requirements across all 50 states and DC — experience, exams, fees, and salary data.

Last updated 2026-05-08

By the numbers: 20 of 51 jurisdictions require a state-level tow truck operator license. Apprenticeship and Experience requirements range varies hours. Exam Application Fees range $50–$50. Most state Boards require Continuing Education at every Renewal cycle.

State	License Required	Experience	Exam Fee	Median Salary
ALAlabama	Required	—	$50	$33,425
AKAlaska	Not Required	—	—	$47,640
AZArizona	Not Required	—	—	$37,267
ARArkansas	Not Required	—	—	$32,272
CACalifornia	Required	—	$50	$53,019
COColorado	Not Required	—	—	$41,493
CTConnecticut	Required	—	$50	$44,183
DEDelaware	Not Required	—	—	$38,420
DCDistrict of Columbia	Required	—	$50	$49,177
FLFlorida	Required	—	$50	$36,883
GAGeorgia	Required	—	$50	$35,730
HIHawaii	Not Required	—	—	$51,867
IDIdaho	Not Required	—	—	$36,114
ILIllinois	Required	—	$50	$40,341
INIndiana	Not Required	—	—	$34,962
IAIowa	Not Required	—	—	$34,193
KSKansas	Not Required	—	—	$34,193
KYKentucky	Not Required	—	—	$34,193
LALouisiana	Required	—	$50	$34,578
MEMaine	Not Required	—	—	$37,267
MDMaryland	Required	—	$50	$41,877
MAMassachusetts	Required	—	$50	$46,872
MIMichigan	Not Required	—	—	$36,114
MNMinnesota	Not Required	—	—	$39,956
MSMississippi	Not Required	—	—	$31,888
MOMissouri	Not Required	—	—	$34,578
MTMontana	Not Required	—	—	$36,883
NENebraska	Not Required	—	—	$34,578
NVNevada	Required	—	$50	$39,188
NHNew Hampshire	Not Required	—	—	$39,956
NJNew Jersey	Required	—	$50	$45,335
NMNew Mexico	Not Required	—	—	$34,962
NYNew York	Required	—	$50	$49,946
NCNorth Carolina	Required	—	$50	$35,346
NDNorth Dakota	Not Required	—	—	$36,499
OHOhio	Not Required	—	—	$35,346
OKOklahoma	Not Required	—	—	$33,425
OROregon	Required	—	$50	$42,262
PAPennsylvania	Not Required	—	—	$37,651
RIRhode Island	Not Required	—	—	$39,572
SCSouth Carolina	Required	—	$50	$34,962
SDSouth Dakota	Not Required	—	—	$33,809
TNTennessee	Required	—	$50	$34,578
TXTexas	Required	—	$50	$36,114
UTUtah	Not Required	—	—	$37,267
VTVermont	Not Required	—	—	$38,804
VAVirginia	Required	—	$50	$39,188
WAWashington	Required	—	$50	$45,335
WVWest Virginia	Not Required	—	—	$33,041
WIWisconsin	Not Required	—	—	$36,114
WYWyoming	Not Required	—	—	$36,499

Common questions about tow truck operator licensing

Do all states require a tow truck operator license?

No — 20 of 51 jurisdictions require a state-level tow truck operator license. The remainder license at the local or county level, or not at all. See the table above for the per-state breakdown.

How much does it cost to get a tow truck operator license?

Application fees across the states range $50–$50. Renewal fees and continuing education hours vary by jurisdiction — check the state-specific page for the exact numbers.

How many apprenticeship hours does a tow truck operator license typically require?

Required apprenticeship/work experience hours range varies across states, with most states requiring 2–4 years of supervised on-the-job training plus passing a board-administered exam.

Data last verified 2026. Salary data from BLS OEWS. Always verify with your state licensing board.