Quick answer: in Ontario, towing and vehicle storage are regulated. Before you agree to a tow, you can ask who the company is, where your vehicle is going and what it will cost. You’re entitled to an itemized invoice, and tow and storage providers must let you pay by credit card. Operators and drivers must also meet provincial certification requirements.
Towing in Ontario is regulated
Ontario has rules for tow and storage businesses under consumer protection legislation and the Towing and Storage Safety and Enforcement Act, 2021. Since January 1, 2024, tow operators, tow truck drivers and vehicle storage operators in Ontario need provincial certification. Don’t be afraid to ask a driver to confirm they’re certified.
Questions to ask before your vehicle is towed
- Who are you? The company name and a phone number you can reach.
- Where is my vehicle going? The address of the shop or storage yard.
- What will it cost? Ask for the rates or an estimate before you agree to service.
- Can I choose the destination? In most situations you can ask for your vehicle to go to the repair shop of your choice.
Your payment and paperwork rights
- You should receive an itemized invoice showing each charge.
- Tow and storage providers must accept credit card payment, not just cash.
- You should be able to access your vehicle at the storage location to retrieve personal belongings.
- Read anything before you sign, and keep a copy for your records and insurer.
When police or the highway program choose the tow company
After a collision, or when a vehicle is blocking traffic, police can direct that it be moved, and on some provincial highways a designated towing program decides which company responds. In those cases you may not get to choose the tow company, but you can still ask where your vehicle is being taken and request an itemized invoice.
The Move Over law protects tow operators too
Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act requires drivers to slow down and, where safe, move over a lane when passing stopped emergency vehicles and tow trucks with flashing lights. It protects roadside workers and the drivers they’re helping.
Red flags to watch for
- A truck that shows up at a crash scene you didn’t call and pressures you to sign right away.
- Refusing to tell you where your vehicle is going or what it will cost.
- Cash-only payment demands.
- No company name on the truck or paperwork.
How Olympic Towing handles it
We tell you who we are, where your vehicle is going and what to expect before we hook up, and we provide clear, itemized paperwork. Questions about a tow in Peel or York Region? Call 416-356-2900 or contact our team.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Rules change, so check the Government of Ontario’s towing and vehicle storage resources at ontario.ca for current requirements.
