Cleveland, OH · Cuyahoga County

No notary required

Tow Truck Vehicle License Application

Tow truck owners use this application to request a Cleveland license for each vehicle used to tow, winch, or remove disabled motor vehicles.

What this form is

Cleveland requires a license for each tow truck or other vehicle used to tow, winch, or remove disabled motor vehicles, subject to the exceptions listed in the instructions. The application asks for business, applicant, ownership, and vehicle information, and includes a fee calculation and applicant acknowledgment. Applicants must also provide insurance documentation, vehicle registration, and labeled color photos for each truck.

Who needs it

Owners of vehicles used to tow, winch, or remove disabled motor vehicles in Cleveland must apply for a license for each vehicle, unless an exception applies.

How to submit it

Submit in person or by mail to the Division of Assessments and Licenses, 601 Lakeside Avenue, Room 122, Cleveland, Ohio 44114, or apply online at the portal listed in the instructions.

About notarization

The application is signed without a notary; applicants who do not store vehicles must include a notarized Garage Keeper’s Legal Liability Affidavit.

How to submit this form

  1. 1

    Download The Application

    Download the Tow Truck Vehicle License Application and its instructions.

  2. 2

    Complete And Sign

    Fill in the business, applicant, ownership, and vehicle sections, calculate the fee, and sign the application.

  3. 3

    Gather Supporting Documents

    Include insurance documentation, vehicle registration, and labeled photos for each truck; include the notarized affidavit if you do not store vehicles.

  4. 4

    Submit To The City

    Apply in person, by mail, or online using the submission details in the instructions.

Frequently asked questions

Who needs a Cleveland tow truck vehicle license?
The instructions say a license is required for each truck or other vehicle adapted or used to tow, winch, or otherwise remove disabled motor vehicles, subject to the listed exceptions.
What documents must accompany the application?
Applicants provide insurance documentation, vehicle registration, and two labeled current-year color photos of each truck. Applicants who do not store vehicles must also provide a notarized Garage Keeper’s Legal Liability Affidavit.
Do I need a notary for the Tow Truck Vehicle License Application?
No. The application itself is signed without a notary. If you do not store vehicles, the instructions require a notarized Garage Keeper’s Legal Liability Affidavit.
How do I submit the Tow Truck Vehicle License Application?
Apply in person or by mail to the Division of Assessments and Licenses at 601 Lakeside Avenue, Room 122, Cleveland, Ohio 44114, or apply online through the portal listed in the instructions.