Fees and charges related to tow truck licensing including applications for Driver Certificates, Operator Licences, Mutual Recognition and Exemption Certificate.
Important changes to tow truck licence payments
The way you pay for your tow truck licence has changed. These changes are designed to make licence processing simpler, so you can get your licence faster.
You can now pay directly through Fair Trading’s secure credit card payment portal. Once you’ve applied and made the payment, you’ll received SMS or email notifications about the status of your licence application, so you’ll know where it is up to in the approval process.
Cheque and money order payments for tow truck licences are no longer possible.
Any refund that may be made by NSW Fair Trading as a result of a refused or failed application will not be made until any internal reviews or appeals in respect of the application are finalised.
All fees may be subject to an annual CPI fee increase at the start of each financial year and align with your scheduled date of renewal. When paying by credit or debit card a merchant fee will be applied.
Driver certificate
Item | 1 year fee $ | 3 year fee* $ | 5 year fee* $ | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Grant a Driver certificate | 251 | n/a | n/a | includes $150 non-refundable application fee |
Renew a Drive certificate | 251 | 454* | 657* | includes $150 non-refundable application fee |
Restore a Drive Certificate | 251 | 454* | 657* | Includes $150 non-refundable application fee |
Replacement driver certificate | 37 | |||
Reissue conditional driver certificate | 37 | |||
Re-application for expired conditional driver certificate (within 5 business days)** | 137 |
*Drivers must have held their driver certificate continuously for three years without any lapses in order to be eligible to apply. Other matters are also taken into consideration. If you are not sure if you are eligible, please contact Tow Truck Licensing on 13 32 20.
**If expired greater than 5 business days, full re-application will apply.
Operator licence
Item | 1 year fee $ | 3 year fee* $ | 5 year fee* $ | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Grant an Operator licence (metro) | 1278 | n/a | n/a | Includes $448 non-refundable application fee |
| Grant an Operator licence (country) | 823 | n/a | n/a | Includes $448 non-refundable application fee |
Renew an Operator licence (metro) | 1278 | 2938* | 4599* | Includes $448 non-refundable application fee |
Renew an Operator licence (country) | 823 | 1572* | 2322* | Includes $448 non-refundable application fee |
Restore an Operator licence (metro) | 1278 | 2938* | 4599* | Includes $448 non-refundable application fee |
Restore an Operator licence (country) | 823 | 1572* | 2322* | Includes $448 non-refundable application fee |
Category A plate (metro) | 480 | 1440 | 2400 | Per tow truck plate |
Category B & C plate (metro) | 455 | 1366 | 2276 | Per tow truck plate |
Category A plate (country) | 191 | 572 | 953 | Per tow truck plate |
Category B & C plate (country) | 182 | 546 | 909 | Per tow truck plate |
Amendment fee | 68 | Amendment / variation to operator licence | ||
Replacement operator licence | 37 | |||
Reissue conditional operator licence | 37 | |||
Stand-by tow truck application fee | 432 | |||
Re-application for expired conditional operator licence (within 5 business days)** | 396 |
*Operators must have held their Operator licence continuously for three years without any lapses in order to be eligible to apply for a 3 or 5 year term at renewal or restoration. Other matters are also taken into consideration. If you are not sure if you are eligible, please contact Tow Truck Licensing on 13 32 20.
**If expired greater than 5 business days, full re-application will apply.
Restoration applies for 3 months post expiry.
Towing charges
Effective 1 July 2024
For all towing charges, please visit the vehicle towing page.
Mutual recognition
Item | 1 year fee $ | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Grant a Driver certificate | 190 | Includes $111 non-refundable administration fee |
Grant an Operator licence | 670 | Includes $372 non-refundable administration fee |
Category A plate | 191 | Per tow truck plate |
Category B & C plate | 182 | Per tow truck plate |
Exemption certificate
Item | 2 year fee $ | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Grant a Scrap Metal Exemption certificate (metro) | 638 | Includes $283 non-refundable administration fee |
Grant a Scrap Metal Exemption certificate (country) | 496 | Includes $283 non-refundable administration fee |
Renew a Scrap Metal Exemption certificate (metro) | 638 | Includes $283 non-refundable administration fee |
Renew a Scrap Metal Exemption certificate (country) | 496 | Includes $283 non-refundable administration fee |
Restore a Scrap Metal Exemption certificate (metro) | 638 | Includes $283 non-refundable administration fee |
Restore a Scrap Metal Exemption certificate (country) | 496 | Includes $283 non-refundable administration fee |
Tow truck fee (metro) | 106 | Per tow truck |
Tow truck fee (country) | 71 | Per tow truck |
Other
Item | Fee $ | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Investigation fee | At cost | Any further investigation by NSW Fair Trading to verify suitability, requiring the purchase of information from another agency (e.g. interstate records) |
Book of 20 Towing authorisation forms | 598 | |
Book of 5 Towing authorisation forms | 150 |