Texas towing license lookup: how to check and get a license
Texas towing license lookup: who issues towing company licenses (TDLR), how to check one online, the license types, and 782 motor vehicle towing businesses by county.
Do towing companies need a license in Texas?
| Who licenses them | Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), Vehicle Towing and Booting program |
|---|---|
| License types | Tow Company License, Incident Management Towing Operator, Private Property Towing Operator, Consent Towing Operator, Tow Truck Permit |
| When a license is required | Tow companies, operators and each tow truck must be licensed/permitted |
Check that the tow company, driver and truck are TDLR-licensed; required liability insurance ranges from $300,000 (consent and private property) to $500,000 (incident management). TDLR sets maximum fees for non-consent (private property) tows.
How do you look up a towing company's license in Texas?
- Ask the towing company for the license number and the exact business name on the license.
- Open the Texas towing license lookup run by TDLR.
- Search by license number first. A name search can return several people or companies with similar names.
- Check that the status is active or current, that the license type covers your job, and that the name matches the company on your contract.
- If something doesn't match, ask the towing company about it before you sign or pay a deposit, or contact TDLR.
What towing licenses does Texas issue?
- Tow Company License
- Incident Management Towing Operator
- Private Property Towing Operator
- Consent Towing Operator
- Tow Truck Permit
How do you get a towing license in Texas?
Licenses are issued by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), Vehicle Towing and Booting program. Requirements such as experience, exams, insurance and fees change, so read the current rules on the official TDLR source before you apply. Already licensed? List your business on Expert Helper to get matched with customers.
Which Texas city is the job in?
- Lewisville
- San Antonio
- Channelview
- Decatur
- El Paso
- Mesquite
- Fort Worth
- Red Oak
- Seguin
- Austin
- El Campo
- Kemp
- Hockley
- Beaumont
- Dallas
- Houston
- Sealy
- Terrell
- Frisco
- Weatherford
- Grand Prairie
- Lancaster
- Manor
- Spring
- Midland
- Belton
- Harlingen
- Waller
- Wallisville
- Corpus Christi
- Killeen
- Lufkin
- Granbury
- Rosenberg
- Georgetown
- Porter
- Mission
- Wharton
- Richmond
- Hutto
- Amarillo
- Odessa
- Uvalde
- Arlington
- Irving
- Angleton
- Cleveland
- Mcallen
- Mercedes
- Pecos
- Pasadena
- Poteet
- Galveston
- Sugar Land
- Pflugerville
- Garland
- Van Horn
- Victoria
- Plainview
- Waco
- Brenham
- Abilene
- Vidor
- Baytown
- Alvarado
- Dayton
- League City
- Marshall
- Carthage
- Huntsville
- Lubbock
- Cypress
- Hempstead
- Brownsville
- Burnet
- Kyle
- San Marcos
- Socorro
- Beeville
- Conroe
- Alvin
- Round Rock
- Justin
- Jacksonville
- Bryan
- Donna
- Plano
- Rosharon
- Pearland
- Del Rio
- Stafford
- New Braunfels
- Katy
- Cedar Hill
- Mckinney
- Wallis
- Magnolia
- San Angelo
- Denton
- Ennis
- Azle
- Converse
- Navasota
- Alamo
- Palestine
- Del Valle
- Duncanville
- Corsicana
- Burleson
- Bay City
- Texarkana
- Alice
- Boerne
- Riviera
- Mount Pleasant
- Kennedale
- Pharr
- Balch Springs
- Graham
- Temple
- Bowie
- Mineral Wells
- Laredo
- Kerrville
- Willis
- Gainesville
- Paris
- Tyler
- Canton
- Orange
- Euless
- Fresno
- Mansfield
- Wichita Falls
- Hondo
- Humble
- Buda
- Carrollton
- Denison
- Allen
- Longview
- Brownwood
- Bastrop
- Cedar Creek
- Cleburne
- Gonzales
- Livingston
- Edinburg
- Big Spring
- Seagoville
- Somerset
- Rock Island
- Forney
- New Caney
- Port Arthur
- Nacogdoches
- Spring Branch
- Santa Fe
- Waxahachie
- Elgin
- Rowlett
- Pearsall
- Liberty
How many towing companies are there in Texas?
The Census Bureau counted 782 motor vehicle towing businesses with employees in Texas in 2023. The counties with the most:
| Harris County | 92 |
|---|---|
| Dallas County | 77 |
| Tarrant County | 64 |
| Bexar County | 48 |
| Travis County | 42 |
| El Paso County | 27 |
| Collin County | 27 |
| Hidalgo County | 21 |
What do Texas homes mean for towing work?
The median home in Texas was built in 1990, 37% of households rent and 67% of homes are single-family houses. 34% of homes heat with utility gas and 61% with electricity.
How do you choose a towing company in Texas?
- Ask for the total price before the tow: hook-up fee, per-mile rate and any storage fees.
- Check that the company is licensed where you are; many cities license tow companies.
- Ask whether they'll take the car to the shop of your choice, not only their own lot.
- For a newer, AWD or low car, ask for a flatbed.
- Get a written receipt that shows the company's name, license number and charges.
Towing Companies in other states
Sources: Texas licensing agency (linked above); US Census Bureau County Business Patterns 2023 and ACS 2023 5-year estimates.