π· Had a Few Drinks? We’ll Drive You AND Your Car Home
Our Red Nose Tow car concierge service is simple: a professional, licensed driver comes to you, drives your vehicle home while you ride along as a passenger, and you wake up the next morning with your car in the driveway. No overnight parking fees, no cab to retrieve your car tomorrow, and no risk of impaired driving.
Call (613) 317-3924 when you are ready to head home β available 7 days a week across Ottawa.
Inspired by the trusted Operation Red Nose concept, available year-round β not just December.
You had a great evening β dinner downtown, drinks in the ByWard Market, a holiday party in Kanata, or a wedding reception in Barrhaven. But now the bill is paid, the night is winding down, and you realize you have had too many drinks to drive. You face a decision: leave your car overnight and figure out how to get it tomorrow, call a cab and deal with the hassle later, or worse β get behind the wheel. Our Red Nose Tow in Ottawa gives you a fourth option: a professional driver comes to your location, gets behind the wheel of your car, and drives you home safely while you ride as a passenger.
Inspired by the trusted Operation Red Nose concept β the volunteer designated driver program that has saved thousands of lives during the holiday season β our car concierge service is available year-round, not just in December. At Towing Ottawa, we believe safe roads should not be a seasonal idea. Whether it is a Tuesday work dinner, a Saturday night celebration, or a New Year’s Eve party, you deserve a safe, convenient, and judgment-free way home.
How Our Red Nose Tow Service Works
The process is straightforward and stress-free:
Call us when you are ready to leave
Call (613) 317-3924 from the restaurant, bar, event venue, or wherever you are. Tell us your location and home address. You can also pre-book for a specific pickup time if you know when you will need a ride.
A professional driver comes to you
A fully licensed, background-checked, insured driver arrives at your location. They are discreet, professional, and non-judgmental. Their only job is getting you and your vehicle home safely.
They drive YOUR car β you ride as a passenger
The driver gets behind the wheel of your vehicle. You (and your passengers) sit comfortably in the back or passenger seat. No unfamiliar rental car, no waiting for a rideshare β you are in your own vehicle the entire time.
Wake up with your car in the driveway
You arrive home safely. Your car is parked in your driveway or designated spot. No overnight parking fees, no cab ride back to retrieve your car the next morning, and no risk of a ticket or tow for leaving your vehicle somewhere overnight.
Why Use Red Nose Tow Instead of a Cab or Rideshare?
π Your car comes home with you
A cab or Uber gets you home, but your car stays behind. That means another trip tomorrow to retrieve it β costing time, money, and hassle. With our service, your car is in your driveway when you wake up.
π ΏοΈ No overnight parking fees or tickets
Ottawa parking enforcement does not stop overnight. Leaving your car in a timed zone, a mall lot after closing, or a downtown street can result in tickets or even towing to an impound lot.
π‘οΈ Completely discreet and non-judgmental
Our drivers are professional and confidential. No awkward conversations, no questions about how much you drank. The service is private β no one needs to know except you.
π Available year-round
Operation Red Nose only operates during the December holiday season. Our Red Nose Tow service is available every day of the year β January birthday dinners, summer patios, fall football games, and everything in between.
π₯ Passengers ride along too
Your friends, partner, or colleagues can ride home with you in your vehicle. No splitting into separate cabs β everyone gets home together in one trip.
β° Pre-book for events
Heading to a wedding, company gala, or holiday party? Book your ride home in advance so you can relax and enjoy the evening knowing you already have a plan.
The Real Cost of Impaired Driving in Ontario (2026)
Think the Red Nose Tow fee is expensive? Compare it to what a single impaired driving conviction costs in Ontario:
βοΈ Criminal fine: Minimum $1,000 (first offence) β judges often impose more
π Licence suspension: 1 year minimum (first offence), 3 years (second), lifetime (third)
π Vehicle impound: 7 days immediately at roadside β you pay the tow and storage fees
π Ignition interlock device: ~$1,500 installation + $130/month for 1β6 years
π Back on Track program: ~$900 mandatory rehabilitation course
π Insurance increase: Premiums triple or more β high-risk category for 5+ years
π¨ββοΈ Legal fees: $5,000β$15,000+ for a DUI lawyer
π΄ Criminal record: Permanent β affects employment, travel (US border), background checks. And if you cause an accident, see our hit and run guide for even more consequences
π Total estimated cost of a first-offence DUI: $10,000β$25,000+
Our Red Nose Tow costs a fraction of that
One ride home in your own car β no criminal record, no licence suspension, no insurance nightmare, and no regret. Call (613) 317-3924.
β οΈ New in 2026: Ontario has expanded impaired driving penalties as of January 1, 2026. The look-back period for repeat offences has doubled from 5 years to 10 years, roadside suspensions for young and novice drivers are longer, and first-time offenders must now complete a mandatory CAMH remedial program. The consequences of a DUI in Ontario have never been more severe.
Don’t Risk It β We’ll Drive You Home
You + your car + home safely β’ Available 7 days a week β’ Pre-book or call on the spot
π (613) 317-3924
Who Uses the Red Nose Tow Service?
This service is not just for “big drinkers.” Many of our clients are responsible people who simply want a backup plan:
πΈ After dinner downtown
A couple of glasses of wine at dinner can put you over the limit. Many drivers underestimate how little it takes to reach 0.05 BAC β just 2 drinks for most adults.
π Holiday and office parties
The holiday season is peak demand. Pre-book before your office party, family gathering, or New Year’s Eve celebration so you have a guaranteed safe ride.
π Weddings and celebrations
Open bars and toasts make weddings a common scenario. Pre-book your ride so the happy couple does not have to worry about their guests driving home.
ποΈ Sports events and concerts
Sens games at Canadian Tire Centre, concerts downtown, Ottawa 67’s games β tailgating and pre-event drinks are part of the experience. Plan your ride home before the event starts.
π΄ Too tired or unwell to drive
Impairment is not only about alcohol. If you are too fatigued, on medication that affects driving, or simply do not feel fit to drive β call us. No questions asked.
π’ Corporate and hospitality
Businesses, event planners, restaurants, and bars can arrange our service for their clients or employees. Show responsibility and protect your guests.
Operation Red Nose vs. Our Year-Round Service
Operation Red Nose is a wonderful volunteer program that has saved countless lives since the 1980s. Here is how our year-round service compares:
We fully support Operation Red Nose and encourage everyone to use it during the holiday season when available. For the other 11 months of the year β and on December nights when Operation Red Nose is not running β our service fills the gap. Learn more about your towing rights under Ontario law.
For Party Hosts, Bars & Event Planners
If you are hosting an event where alcohol is served, Ontario’s social host liability laws mean you could be held partially responsible if an impaired guest causes an accident after leaving your event. Offering a safe ride home option protects your guests and reduces your liability:
π Private party hosts: Let your guests know they can call (613) 317-3924 for a professional ride home in their own vehicle. Post the number near the bar or include it in the invitation.
πΊ Bars and restaurants: Train your staff to offer our Red Nose Tow as an alternative when a patron has had too much. A card with our number at the bar shows you care about safety.
π’ Corporate event planners: Pre-arrange rides for your company holiday party, year-end celebration, or client dinner. Protect your employees and your company’s reputation.
π Wedding coordinators: Include our service as part of the transportation plan. Guests can pre-book or call on the night β everyone gets home safely, and nobody leaves their car behind.
Our Complete Towing & Roadside Services
In addition to our Red Nose Tow concierge, we provide 24/7 towing and roadside assistance across Ottawa:
Available Across Ottawa
We pick up from any location in Ottawa and drive you home to any neighbourhood:
Tips for Planning a Safe Night Out in Ottawa
The best time to plan your safe ride home is before you have your first drink. Here are some practical tips from our team:
π² Save the number NOW
Add (613) 317-3924 to your phone contacts right now β before you need it. When you have been drinking, searching for a safe ride home is harder than tapping a saved contact.
π Pre-book for big events
Know you are going to a wedding, holiday party, or concert? Book your ride in advance. Peak nights fill up β a reservation guarantees a driver is waiting when you are ready.
π Know your limits
For most adults, just 2 standard drinks can put you in Ontario’s 0.05 BAC “warn range” β which triggers an immediate roadside suspension, penalty, and vehicle impound. You do not need to feel “drunk” to be legally impaired.
π Keep your phone charged
A dead phone at 1 AM means you cannot call for a ride. Bring a portable charger or charge your phone before heading out. If your car has a dead battery the morning after, our battery boost service can get you going.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the Red Nose Tow service cost?
Standard towing rates apply. The cost depends on the distance from your pickup location to your home. Call (613) 317-3924 for an exact quote before booking. For a general idea of Ottawa towing rates, see our towing rates guide. Compare that to the $10,000+ cost of a DUI conviction.
Can I bring passengers with me?
Yes. You and your passengers all ride in your own vehicle. The driver operates the car while everyone else sits as passengers. It is the same as having a designated driver β except the designated driver is a professional we send to you.
Is this service available year-round?
Yes. Unlike Operation Red Nose, which only operates during select December nights, our Red Nose Tow car concierge service is available 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Whether it is January, July, or December β we are here.
Can I pre-book for a specific time?
Absolutely. If you know you are attending a wedding, party, or event and expect to be drinking, call us in advance to arrange a specific pickup time. This guarantees a driver will be available when you are ready to leave β no waiting.
What type of vehicle can you drive?
Our drivers can operate any standard passenger vehicle β sedans, SUVs, trucks, minivans, and luxury vehicles. If you drive a manual transmission, let us know when booking so we can ensure the assigned driver is comfortable with a stick shift.
Is the service confidential?
Completely. Our drivers are professional, discreet, and non-judgmental. They will not ask how much you drank or share any details about the ride. Your privacy is fully respected.
What if I’m not drunk but just too tired to drive?
That is a perfectly valid reason to use this service. Drowsy driving is just as dangerous as impaired driving β fatigued drivers have reaction times comparable to drivers with a BAC of 0.05β0.10. If you are too tired, on medication, or unwell, call us. No judgment, no questions. For other roadside emergencies, see our car breakdown survival guide.
How long does it take for a driver to arrive?
Typical response time is 20β45 minutes, similar to our towing response times. During peak times (Friday and Saturday nights, holidays), demand is higher β pre-booking ensures you are not waiting. Our choosing a towing company guide has tips on what to expect from response times.
What happens at the 0.05 BAC “warn range” in Ontario?
At a BAC between 0.05 and 0.079, you face an immediate 3-day roadside licence suspension (first occurrence, increasing to 7 days under 2026 rules for young/novice drivers), $250 administrative monetary penalty, and your vehicle may be impounded for 3 days. You do not need to reach 0.08 to face serious consequences. Two glasses of wine at dinner can put many adults in the warn range.
Can businesses or event planners arrange this for their guests?
Yes. We work with businesses, restaurants, wedding planners, and event coordinators to pre-arrange safe ride home services for guests. Contact us at (613) 317-3924 to discuss corporate or event pricing and logistics.
Had a Few Drinks? Let Us Drive You Home
You + your car + home safely β’ 7 days a week β’ Pre-book or call on the spot
π (613) 317-3924