Renewing your certificate
When your current tow truck drivers certificate is nearing its expiry date a renewal form will be sent to you.
You can renew your certificate for 1, 3 or 5 years.
If NSW Fair Trading receives your application to renew before the expiry date, the certificate remains valid whilst a decision is pending on your application. During this time, you can continue working with your current tow truck drivers certificate.
If you do not apply for a renewal before the expiry date, the certificate expires. If your certificate expires, you have up to 3 months to apply for a restoration of your certificate.
What you need
To renew your certificate you need:
- a copy of your unrestricted Australian driver licence (front and back)
- a National Police Check Certificate that is no older than 6 weeks at the time of application
- a driving record that is no older than 6 weeks at the time of application. See Request a driving record for further information.
If you held a driver licence outside NSW or overseas since your last renewal or at the time of application, you need:
- a statement of your driver licence record, and
- a copy of your driving record issued by the relevant licensing authority of that jurisdiction for that period. This may be referred to as traffic history depending on the jurisdiction.
If you lived overseas within 10 years at the time of application, you need:
- a National Police Check Certificate must be obtained from the relevant Police agency for the period you resided in that jurisdiction.
Driving records and police checks must be in the English language and no older than 6 weeks at the time of the application if you currently reside outside NSW.
If issued in a non-English language, you must provide a translated version. Translation must be completed via Multicultural NSW.
How to renew your certificate
Complete the Tow Truck Drivers Certificate Renewal/Restoration Application online form.
If your application is approved, your printed certificate will be sent to your postal address. This may take up to 6 weeks.
If you're unable to apply online, call NSW Fair Trading on 13 32 20.
If your certificate has expired
Working under an expired certificate is illegal.
Your expired certificate can be restored using the renewal form if you did not renew on time and it is less than 3 months after the expiry date.
If your certificate has been expired for more than 3 months you need to reapply for your certificate.
If you hold a conditional drivers certificate, this must be restored within 5 business days of the expiry date. After this time, you need to reapply for your certificate.
Replacing your certificate
To replace your certificate that has been lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed:
- complete the Replace a Tow Truck Drivers Certificate/Operator Licence Form
- provide a copy of your unrestricted Australian driver licence (front and back).
Updating your details
You must update any change to the details in your certificate at least 7 days before the proposed change.
You can email a signed and dated letter explaining the change to: towtrucks@customerservice.nsw.gov.au.
You may have to pay a replacement fee if the change to your details means that we need to send you a new certificate.
Driver licence cancellation or suspension
If you no longer have a valid motor vehicle driver licence, your Certificate is revoked.
You must inform NSW Fair Trading by sending an email to towtrucks@customerservice.nsw.gov.au.
You must return your Tow Truck Drivers Certificate by mail to:
NSW Fair Trading
PO Box 972
Parramatta NSW 2124
You can reapply for your certificate when you have a valid motor vehicle driver licence again.
You cannot reapply if you have not returned the revoked Tow Truck Driver Certificate.
More information
For more information on tow truck driver certificates:
- visit the NSW Fair Trading website – Driving or operating a tow truck in NSW
- call the Licensing team on 13 32 20.