Apply to perform involuntary tows in Massachusetts

Do you wish to perform involuntary tows, including police-ordered or trespass tows, in Massachusetts? First, you will need to get operating authority from the Department of Public Utilities (DPU).
All completed applications received by the first Friday of each month will be scheduled for a public hearing on the second Tuesday of the next month.

Department of Public Utilities Transportation Oversight Division

The Details   of Apply to perform involuntary tows in Massachusetts

What you need   for Apply to perform involuntary tows in Massachusetts

Type of business Document(s) you will need to submit
An individual proprietorship None
An individual proprietorship operating under a d/b/a A certified copy of the business certificate filed with the city or town clerk
A partnership A certified copy of the business certificate filed with the city or town clerk
A corporation incorporated in Massachusetts A certified copy of the articles of incorporation from the Massachusetts Secretary of State
A foreign corporation incorporated under the law of another state A certified copy of foreign corporation approval to do business in Massachusetts from the Secretary of State and a certified copy of corporation papers from the home state

Fees   for Apply to perform involuntary tows in Massachusetts

The Department now accepts online payments through nCourt or by mail.

  • $100 filing fee for the application
  • $40 for each vehicle identification decal

How to apply   Apply to perform involuntary tows in Massachusetts

You can submit your application to perform involuntary towing online and pay fees through nCourt.  Forms can be found in the Downloads section below.

To submit an online application, you will need to fill out the form using Adobe Reader or Adobe Acrobat, include what attachments you have available, and submit the form using the red button at the bottom of the form.  You will also need to pay required fees through nCourt or by check or money order mailed to the Department.  Please note that paying fees by mail will delay processing.

You can fill out the application form and submit it to the Department along with a check or money order payable to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.  Forms can be found in the Downloads section below.

More info   for Apply to perform involuntary tows in Massachusetts

  • All completed applications received by the first Friday of each month will be scheduled for a public hearing on the second Tuesday of the next month.
    • You will be notified by email the date and time of your hearing.
    • Your application must be complete to be scheduled for a hearing.
    • The principal owner of the business is required to attend the hearing.
    • You have 60 days following the date of the hearing to supply all of the documents needed to get DPU operating authority.
      • The required documents are provided below in the Required Documents section.
    • Every year, after obtaining your Department operating authority, you are required to submit:
      • Proof of insurance;
      • Renewal decal application (which you will receive by mail); and
      • An annual report which summarizes the revenue generated from involuntary tows and storage collected.

Required Documents

Along with your application, you are required to submit the following documents before the Department can grant operating authority:

  • Proof of registered business
  • Balance sheet
  • Certificate of insurance
  • Department decal application
    • There is a $40 fee per vehicle
  • Annual report

Note on Forms

Be sure to save and open Division forms using Adobe Reader or Adobe Acrobat.  Opening forms directly in your browser disables form features like adding attachments, digital signatures, and submitting by email.

Downloads   for Apply to perform involuntary tows in Massachusetts

Contact   for Apply to perform involuntary tows in Massachusetts

Address
Department of Public Utilities Transportation Oversight Division
One South Station, 3rd floor, Boston, MA 02110
Fax
(617) 478-2598

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