In Michigan, you need a commercial driver’s license (CDL) with a tow truck endorsement to operate a tow truck.
CDL Requirements and Training
- Class B CDL for tow-truck drivers due to gross combination weight rating likely exceeding 26,001 pounds.
- To apply for an original commercial driver’s license (CDL), you must show:
- Valid Michigan driver’s license
- Proof of U.S. citizenship
- Social Security number
- Entry-Level Driver Training program does not have a minimum duration, but most trucking school curriculums include 160 hours of instruction (classroom and behind-the-wheel).
Salary Information and Federal Law
The average salary for a tow truck driver is $17.77 per hour in Michigan. Federal law requires a CDL for operators of vehicles over 26,000 pounds when operating in interstate, intrastate, or foreign commerce.
To operate commercial vehicles in Michigan, obtaining a Michigan CDL is mandatory.