# How to Get a Tow Truck License in Texas (2026): Operator License Types

> Source: PermitPulled, https://permitpulled.com/get-licensed/tow-truck-license-texas
> Compiled from the public TDLR license file. Published under CC BY 4.0; attribution to PermitPulled required.
> For an individual license record, use the official TDLR search: https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/LicenseSearch/

[Texas license lookup](</>) / [Get licensed](</get-licensed>) / Tow truck operator

# How to get a tow truck operator license in Texas

Texas licenses tow truck drivers by the kind of tow they do. Pick the license that matches the permit on the truck you will drive: the higher licenses cover the lower ones, not the other way round.

Reviewed 8 October 2026 against TDLR's application page

## At a glance

Incident management| Can operate incident management, private property and consent tow trucks. Certification required  
---|---  
Private property| Can operate private property and consent tow trucks. Certification required  
Consent tow| Consent tow trucks only. No certification required  
All applicants| Valid US state driver's license; $100 non-refundable fee  
License term| 1 year  
  
[Official TDLR application page](<https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/towing/apply-tow-operator.htm>)

## Step by step

  1. **Match the license to the permit.** The truck carries a TDLR permit (incident management, private property or consent). Your operator license must cover it.
  2. **Get certified if needed.** Incident management and private property applicants must be certified by an approved program. TDLR does not offer the classes itself.
  3. **Apply with \$100.** Online or by mail, with a valid driver's license from a US state. Include the Criminal History Questionnaire if it applies.
  4. **Renew yearly with CE.** 4 hours of continuing education per cycle. Incident management operators take an 8-hour in-person professional development course at their first renewal instead.

## Driver, company and truck are separate

The operator license covers you. The company needs its own license and each truck its own permit, and the storage lot is licensed as a vehicle storage facility. See [how tow companies are licensed and checked](</blog/check-texas-tow-company-license>).

## How many people hold this license

The public TDLR license file dated 20 September 2026 shows **12,935 active tow truck operator licenses** , of which 12,673 come up for renewal in the next twelve months.

  * [Tow Truck Operator (Incident Management)](</trade/tow-truck-operator-incident-management>): 8,569 active
  * [Tow Truck Operator (Consent Tow)](</trade/tow-truck-operator-consent-tow>): 4,104 active
  * [Tow Truck Operator (Private Property)](</trade/tow-truck-operator-private-property>): 262 active

Where they are: Harris County (2,298), Dallas County (1,376), Bexar County (823), Tarrant County (696), Travis County (557).

[See the full county breakdown and renewal calendar](</trade/tow-truck-operator-incident-management>)

## After you are licensed

  * **Renewal:** every year, judging by the expiration dates in the license file.
  * **Continuing education:** 4 hours per cycle (1 roadway safety, 1 Texas law and rules). First renewal: an 8-hour in-person professional development course instead. [TDLR CE rules](<https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/towing/towce.htm>)

## Before you apply

  * **Criminal history.** TDLR runs a background check on every applicant. With any conviction other than a minor traffic offence, or a guilty or no-contest plea with deferred adjudication, include the Criminal History Questionnaire. Reviews take one to six weeks. You can ask TDLR in advance whether a conviction would bar you, through a [criminal history evaluation letter](<https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/crimHistoryEval.htm>).
  * **Lawful presence.** TDLR may ask for proof of lawful presence in the United States. Send documents only if it asks. [What TDLR accepts](<https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/lawful-presence.htm>).
  * **Military.** Service members, veterans and spouses may qualify for [fee waivers and other provisions](<https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/military/>).

## Questions

### How much is a tow truck license in Texas?

The operator license application fee is $100, non-refundable.

### Do consent tow operators need certification in Texas?

No. Certification is required for incident management and private property operators only.

### How many people hold this license in Texas?

The public TDLR license file dated 20 September 2026 shows 12,935 active tow truck operator licenses.

## Related licenses

  * [How to get an auctioneer license in Texas](</get-licensed/auctioneer-license-texas>)
  * [How to become a property tax consultant in Texas](</get-licensed/property-tax-consultant-license-texas>)
  * [All license guides](</get-licensed>)

## Sources

[TDLR: Apply for a Tow Operator License](<https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/towing/apply-tow-operator.htm>); [TDLR: Towing continuing education](<https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/towing/towce.htm>). License counts compiled from the public [TDLR license file](<https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/licensesearch/licfile.asp>) dated 20 September 2026.

Reviewed 8 October 2026. Written by an independent site; not an official TDLR publication and not legal advice. Fees and requirements change: confirm them on the TDLR page before you apply.

**Cite this page**

PermitPulled (2026). _How to get a tow truck operator license in Texas._ Retrieved from `https://permitpulled.com/get-licensed/tow-truck-license-texas`

Figures compiled from the public TDLR license file and published under [CC BY 4.0](<https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/>). Attribution required.