Hempstead, NY Business Licensing & Operations: Towing Companies (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing chapter
- Town Code Ch. 183
- Owner license fee
- $200 filing + $125-$150 tow car
- Driver license fee
- $25
- Max towing charge
- $175 first mile, $5/mile after
- First-offense penalty
- Up to $500 fine / 15 days (§ 183-14)
Summary
Operating a tow truck business in the Town of Hempstead requires a separate Town Clerk license for both the tow car owner and each driver, licensed terminals, filed rate schedules capped by ordinance, and repeat violations escalate to misdemeanor charges.
Tow car owner's license required. It shall be a violation of this chapter for any person to operate, store or use any tow car owned or controlled by him or her or permit the same to be operated, stored or used in the Town without having first obtained and then having in force a current valid tow car owner's license therefor, as hereinafter provided...Licensed drivers required. It shall be a violation of this chapter for any tow car owner to permit a tow car to be operated, stored, driven or used in the Town by any person not in possession of a current and valid tow car driver's license issued by the Town pursuant to § 183-3 of this chapter.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4863878; v67 updated 2026-04-28; through 04-28-2026).
Full Breakdown
Chapter 183, adopted by Local Law No. 58-2016, makes it a violation to operate, store or use a tow car in the Town without a current tow car owner's license under § 183-2, and separately a violation for an owner to let a tow car be driven by anyone lacking a current tow car driver's license issued under § 183-3. Owners must also keep any Town terminal compliant with the terminal requirements in § 183-4, and an out-of-Town, in-county terminal must still meet local zoning, building and fire laws plus § 183-4 to the extent not conflicting.
Section 183-7 sets nonrefundable fees: $200 to file an original owner application, $100 for an additional tow car or terminal, $25 for a driver's license, and license fees of $125 for a first restricted tow car ($150 unrestricted) plus $100 for each additional car. Section 183-9 caps towing charges at $175 for the first mile and $5 for each additional mile, filed with the Town Clerk in triplicate. The law's stated purpose, per its legislative findings, is to end 'chasing' at accident scenes and nonconsensual towing abuses from private lots, and to require towing 'pursuant to a rotational list' under § 183-13.
Violations & Fines
A first offense under § 183-14 draws a fine up to $500 or up to 15 days' jail, rising to $1,000 for a second offense and $2,000 for a third; violations of the licensing sections (§§ 183-2, 183-4, 183-8, 183-9) are instead class B misdemeanors carrying up to $1,000/$2,000/$3,000 fines and up to three, six or 12 months' jail for successive offenses, plus possible license suspension or revocation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a tow truck company need a license to operate in the Town of Hempstead?
How much can a Hempstead tow company charge for towing?
What happens if a tow car owner operates without a license more than once?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hempstead
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