Tow truck licensing fees
Check the fees to apply for tow truck drivers certificates, licences, mutual recognition and exemption certificates.
How to lodge your application
You can complete certain tow truck applications online. If you lodge online, you’ll receive a discount of 10% or $5 – whichever is greater. The fee tables show the discounted total for any application you can do online.
To apply online or check other lodgement options, visit the Service NSW website.
How fees are calculated
Fee amounts are valid for the 2026-27 financial year.
Fees may increase in line with CPI at the start of each financial year. The updated fee amounts will apply when you next renew your licence or certificate.
Most fees include a non-refundable processing fee. If you receive a refund because your application is refused or withdrawn, the refund will not include the processing fee.
Tow truck drivers certificate fees
Apply for or renew a drivers certificate
| Certificate period | Total fee | Certificate fee | Processing fee (non-refundable) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 year | $267, or $251 if lodged online | $108 | $159 |
| 3 years | $483, or $467 if lodged online | $324 | $159 |
| 5 years | $699, or $683 if lodged online | $540 | $159 |
Other drivers certificate fees
| Application type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Replace a certificate | $39 |
| Reapply for expired conditional driver certificate within 5 business days | $146 |
Note: If your conditional tow truck drivers certificate has expired for more than 5 days, you will need to apply for a new certificate and pay the full application fee.
Tow truck operator licence fees
Apply for or renew an operator licence – metro
| Licence period | Total fee | Certificate fee | Processing fee (non-refundable) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 year | $1,360, or $1,312 if lodged online | $883 | $477 |
| 3 years | $3,127, or $3,079 if lodged online | $2,650 | $477 |
| 5 years | $4,894, or $4,846 if lodged online | $4,417 | $477 |
| Plate type | 1 year fee (per plate) | 3 year fee (per plate) | 5 year fee (per plate) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Category A plate (metro) | $511 | $1,533 | $2,554 |
| Category B and C plate (metro) | $484 | $1,454 | $2,423 |
Apply for or renew an operator licence – country
| Licence period | Total fee | Certificate fee | Processing fee (non-refundable) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 year | $876, or $828 if lodged online | $399 | $477 |
| 3 years | $1,673, or $1,625 if lodged online | $1,196 | $477 |
| 5 years | $2,471, or $2,424 if lodged online | $1,994 | $477 |
| Plate type | 1 year fee (per plate) | 3 year fee (per plate) | 5 year fee (per plate) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Category A plate (country) | $203 | $608 | $1,014 |
| Category B and C plate (country) | $194 | $581 | $968 |
Other operator licence transactions
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Amend a licence | $72 |
| Replace a licence | $39 |
| Stand-by tow truck application | $459 |
| Reapply for expired conditional operator licence within 5 business days | $421 |
Note: If your conditional tow truck operator licence has expired for more than 5 days, you will need to apply for a new certificate and pay the full application fee.
Towing charges
For all towing charges, please visit the vehicle towing page.
Mutual recognition fees
Mutual recognition for a tow truck drivers certificate
| Certificate period | Total fee | Certificate fee | Processing fee (non-refundable) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 year | $202 | $84 | $118 |
| 3 years | $371 | $253 | $118 |
| 5 years | $539 | $421 | $118 |
Mutual recognition for a tow truck operator licence
| Licence period | Total fee | Certificate fee | Processing fee (non-refundable) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 year | $713 | $317 | $396 |
| 3 years | $1,348 | $952 | $396 |
| 5 years | $1,982 | $1,586 | $396 |
| Plate type | 1 year fee (per plate) | 3 year fee (per plate) | 5 year fee (per plate) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Category A plate (metro) | $511 | $1,533 | $2,554 |
| Category B and C plate (metro) | $484 | $1,454 | $2,423 |
| Category A plate (country) | $203 | $608 | $1,014 |
| Category B and C plate (country) | $194 | $581 | $968 |
Exemption certificate fees
| Item | Total fee (2 years) | Item fee | Processing fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apply for or renew a scrap metal exemption certificate – metro | $679 | $378 | $301 |
| Apply for or renew a scrap metal exemption certificate – country | $527 | $226 | $301 |
| Exemption fee per tow truck – metro | $113 | $0 | $0 |
| Exemption fee per tow truck – country | $75 | $0 | $0 |
Other Tow Truck compliance and authorisation fees
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Investigation fee to recover costs incurred while verifying suitability (for example the cost of purchasing interstate records) | At cost |
| Book of 20 Towing authorisation forms | $611 |
| Book of 5 Towing authorisation forms | $153 |