Tow Trucks / Wrecker Service Business

Overview

Your business requires a Graduated Business License (GBL). Use the links below to download a GBL application and/or access  information about the GBL. 

(Graduated Business License Information and Fee Schedule), (Graduated Business Towing License Application)

Preparation

If you are not sure if your business requires a Graduated Business License (GBL), please click the link "Business License Information", where you will find more information about licensing and a list of business types.  Once you are there, click on the business type that describes the type of business you plan to do in the City of St. Louis.

If you still have questions about your business type, please contact our office at 314-622-4528 to find out the appropriate steps that you will need to follow to obtain a business license for the City of St. Louis.

Instructions

Step 1

Before visiting City Hall to acquire your  Graduated Business License you must, obtain a Police Record check from the  City or St. Louis County.  The records check can be completed here:

    Public Service Center
    Records Division
    St. Louis Police Department
    1200 Clark St. , Room 114
    St. Louis, MO 63103
    (314) 444-5589

There will be a charge for the record check.  Cash or money order only.  The charge is  $9.00 and there is a three day  waiting period. You will need to provide a Valid Photo ID - Proof of birth  date, Social Security Number, and type of business you need a record check  for.

Step 2

Visit the License Collector’s office in Room 104 of City Hall.  For your convenience, you may fill out the Graduated Business License form in advance.  You can download it here.

Step 3

In addition to visiting the License Collector’s office, you will also need to obtain a clearance from the Collector of Revenue’s office at the location below:

    City Hall Room 410
    1200 Market St.
    St. Louis, MO 63103
    (314) 622-3291

        St. Louis City Ordinance 63454
        St. Louis City Revised Code Chapter 8.02.010 - Statement of Clearance - Required

Step 4

If your business is located in the City of St. Louis, you must also obtain an Occupancy Permit from the Building Division at the location below:

    Building Division
    Department of Public Safety
    City Hall Room 425
    1200 Market St.
    St. Louis, MO 63103
    (314) 622-3313

Step 5

Provide the following information:

a. Copy of current insurance policy with the following coverage:

       25,000 Individual
       50,000 Multiple Injury
       10,000 Property

b. State title on each vehicle

c. Current inspection certificate on each vehicle

d. Three (3) printed copies of fees to be charged by towing company

e. On each side of a wrecker there shall be legibly printed in letters not less than one and one-half inches in height the following:

        (I.) Name and address of the license
        (II.) The phrase "Licensed Tow Vehicle of the City of St. Louis"
        (III.) The phrase "Request schedule of prices filed with the Police Department before engaging this vehicle"

f. Picture of one door from each vehicle with name and address showing

g. List of companies (names and addresses) with whom you have a contractual agreement

What to Expect

Once all clearances and payments are received, you will be able to obtain your license to do business in the City of St. Louis.

Additional Information

If you pay by check, the license application may be held for several working days until the check clears.

A separate Graduated Business License is required for each business location or trade name.

       St. Louis City Ordinance 52030
       St. Louis City Revised Code Chapter 8.02.040

Please visit our general information page to get more important information that you will need to know before obtaining your business license.  You can get there by clicking the link:  "Business License Information".

For more information about the License Collector's Office other resources and services, please visit our office home page by clicking on the link "License Collector" below.  Once you are there, you will find a list of links to the various other resources and services provided by our office.  Those links can be found to the right of the home page under the section titled "Related information".

Link:  License Collector