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Registering a Tow Truck in Virginia

For a smooth registration process, it’s helpful to start with a few terms.

Tow Truck
A for-hire motor vehicle designed to lift, pull or carry another vehicle by means of a hoist or other mechanical apparatus. This includes vehicles designed with a ramp on wheels and a hydraulic lift with a capacity to haul or tow another vehicle, commonly referred to as “flatbeds” or "rollbacks."
A vehicle designed with a ramp on wheels and a hydraulic lift with a capacity to haul or tow another vehicle, commonly referred to as a "rollback" is also classified as a tow truck.
Note: Automobile or watercraft transporters, stinger-steered automobile or watercraft transporters, and tractor trucks are not considered tow trucks.
Note: Tow trucks are not eligible for the Uninsured Motor Vehicle Fee.You must get insurance.
Wrecker
A motor vehicle that is eligible to be registered as a tow truck, but will only be used in a private capacity. Essentially, a private use tow truck.
For-Hire
A motor vehicle designed for transportation of property, and used for such by the owner or lessee, for compensation.
Private Use
A motor vehicle designed for the transportation of property, operated as such by the owner or lessee for their convenience, not for compensation.
Intrastate Operation
When a vehicle is operated solely within one state.
Interstate Operation
When a vehicle is operated across state lines.
International Registration Plan (IRP)
An international agreement under which a carrier's base state or Canadian province collects vehicle registration fees for other states/provinces based on the percentage of miles a fleet operates in the various jurisdictions. See International Registration Plan for details.

Registration Options

The registration process will differ depending on whether you’ll use the tow truck for:

  1. Private use
  2. For-hire
  3. Intrastate
  4. Interstate

Private Use
If you’re operating a tow truck for private use (a wrecker), regardless of weight, you must register it as:

  • Vehicle Use: Private
  • Body Type: Truck
  • License Plate Type: Truck

For Hire
If you’re operating a tow truck for hire and it is under 10,000 pounds, you must register it as:

  • Vehicle Use: For Hire
  • Body Type: Truck
  • License Plate Type: Truck

If you’re operating a tow truck for hire and it is 10,000 pounds or greater, you must register it as:

  • Vehicle Use: For Hire
  • Body Type: Tow Truck
  • License Plate Type: Tow Truck

Intrastate
If you’re operating a for hire or private use tow truck solely within Virginia, follow the above requirements.

Interstate
If you’re operating a for-hire or private use tow truck across state lines and it is under 10,000 pounds, follow the above requirements.

If you’re operating a for-hire or private use tow truck across state lines and it is at least 10,000 pounds, in addition to the above requirements, you will need a DOT number. You may also need a DOT in some other circumstances. See Do I Need a DOT Number? for specific requirements.

If you’re operating a for-hire or private use tow truck across state lines and it is over 26,000 pounds, you must register it with IRP apportioned license plates.

IRP Exemption

Some for-hire tow trucks may be exempt from IRP registration. DMV issues a “tow truck” license plate regardless of the “type” of tow truck, and considers this plate a “restricted license plate.”

However, some states don’t allow certain types of tow trucks to travel with restricted tow truck plates, and you may be subject to a ticket or citation.

Visit the IRP jurisdiction page or contact the DMV of each jurisdiction you plan to travel into or through to determine if they will allow travel with tow truck plates.

Still Have Questions?

See Registration Options for an in-depth explanation.

How to Register

To register a tow truck in Virginia, submit the following to DMV:

  1. Proof of insurance coverage. See Tow Trucks and Wreckers Registration Options for requirements.
  2. If you have a Virginia title and it’s in your possession: a completed Application for Registration)
    Otherwise, a completed Application for Certificate of Title and Registration
  3. If titling the vehicle, submit proof of address. See our Document Guide to determine which documents are acceptable.
  4. If the tow truck is operated For-Hire:
    1. You will not be able to get vehicle registration unless DMV has issued you Operating Authority. To be issued Operating Authority, you must:
      1. Submit a completed For-Hire Intrastate Operating Authority Permit Application to the Motor Carrier Services department at DMV headquarters.
    2. Your insurance carrier must file a Form E certificate of insurance with DMV confirming liability coverage for the tow truck you are registering.
    3. If you are attempting to register your tow truck with an Operating Authority under a name different than the name(s) being used to register the tow truck, you must complete the For-Hire Vehicles Registration Request and Motor Carrier Motor Vehicle Lease Agreement and submit this form to the Motor Carrier Services department at DMV headquarters.
    4. Motor Carrier Services will let you know by the next business day whether you’ve received pre-authorization to complete the vehicle registration transaction, or if there are other items you must still provide.
  5. Submit the appropriate fees.

Apply With Confidence

View Registration Optionsto compare the different ways of registering tow trucks.