βοΈ Quick Answer β Your Towing Rights in Ontario
Under Ontario’s Towing and Storage Safety and Enforcement Act (TSSEA), in effect since January 1, 2024, you have the right to: choose your own tow company, receive written consent forms before towing, see an itemized invoice before paying, access published maximum rates, retrieve personal belongings at no charge, and file complaints online with the Ministry of Transportation. Every tow operator, driver, and storage lot must hold a valid provincial certificate.
π Need a licensed, TSSEA-compliant tow? Call (613) 317-3924
For years, Ontario’s towing industry was plagued by aggressive “chasers” at accident scenes, hidden fees, inflated invoices, and even organized crime. Drivers who were already shaken from a collision or breakdown were pressured into signing blank consent forms, overcharged for storage, and steered toward specific body shops in exchange for kickbacks. The province finally responded with the Towing and Storage Safety and Enforcement Act (TSSEA) β a sweeping overhaul that replaced a patchwork of municipal bylaws with a single set of province-wide rules.
The TSSEA took effect on January 1, 2024, with additional phases rolling out through 2025 and into 2026. Whether you are dealing with a fender bender on the Queensway, a parking lot tow in the ByWard Market, or a breakdown in Kanata, understanding your towing rights in Ontario is critical to protecting your wallet and your vehicle. This guide breaks down every right you have, what tow operators must (and must not) do, how to spot scams, and how to file a complaint if something goes wrong.
At Towing Ottawa, we operate in full compliance with the TSSEA. Our drivers are provincially certified, our rates are published, and we follow every consumer protection requirement outlined below β because that is how legitimate towing companies should operate.
What Is the TSSEA? Ontario’s Towing Law Explained
The Towing and Storage Safety and Enforcement Act, 2021 (TSSEA) is Ontario’s provincial law governing all towing and vehicle storage services. It replaced the old system where only some municipalities had towing bylaws β and those bylaws were all different, leaving most Ontario drivers without consistent protections.
Here is the rollout timeline:
The TSSEA is enforced by the Ministry of Transportation’s Director of Towing and Vehicle Storage Standards, with support from police and appointed TSSEA inspectors. Penalties for non-compliance can include certificate suspension, cancellation, and fines.
Your 10 Key Towing Rights in Ontario
Every vehicle owner in Ontario has the following rights under the TSSEA. Print this list and keep it in your glove box:
Right to Choose Your Tow Company
You decide who tows your vehicle and where it goes β unless police direct otherwise (e.g., restricted tow zones on 400-series highways in the GTA). No one can force you to use a specific tow company.
Right to Written Consent Before Towing
A tow truck driver must get your signed consent on a Consent to Tow form before loading your vehicle. Without it, they cannot charge you. Never sign a blank form.
Right to See Maximum Rates in Advance
Operators must provide you with their maximum rate schedule before towing begins. You can also verify any operator’s published rates online through the Ontario government portal.
Right to an Itemized Invoice Before Payment
You must receive an itemized invoice listing every charge before the operator requests payment. You are also entitled to a proper receipt after paying.
Right to Multiple Payment Methods
Tow and storage operators must accept multiple forms of payment including cash, cheque, credit card, and debit. They cannot demand cash only.
Right to the Most Direct Route
Your vehicle must be towed via the most direct route to the destination you specified. If the driver takes it somewhere else, they must notify you immediately.
Right to Retrieve Personal Belongings β Free
You can access your towed vehicle to retrieve personal items during the storage facility’s business hours (or pre-arranged times) at no charge. They cannot hold your belongings hostage.
Right to Refuse Unsolicited Referrals
Tow drivers can only refer you to a body shop, mechanic, or other service if you ask. They must also disclose any benefit they receive from that referral. Unsolicited referrals are prohibited.
Right to Verify Certification
Every tow truck must display the operator’s name and TSSEA certificate number on the vehicle. You have the right to see a copy of the certificate β physical or digital β at any time.
Right to File a Complaint
If any of these rights are violated, you can file a complaint directly with the Ministry of Transportation through the Ontario.ca complaint portal. The Director can suspend or cancel an operator’s certificate.
What Tow Operators Are Prohibited From Doing
The TSSEA does not just outline your rights β it explicitly prohibits certain practices that were common in the unregulated era. A tow operator or driver in Ontario must not:
π« Charge more than their published maximum rates
π« Demand payment without first providing an itemized invoice
π« Tow your vehicle without signed consent (unless police-directed)
π« Refer you to legal or medical services β ever (this is completely banned)
π« Refer you to a repair shop, storage lot, or other service unless you asked
π« Receive compensation or kickbacks for referrals
π« Engage in false advertising, misrepresentation, or overcharging
π« Misuse your personal information
π« Charge you for retrieving your personal belongings from the vehicle
Need a Licensed, TSSEA-Compliant Tow in Ottawa?
Certified operators β’ Published rates β’ Written consent β’ No hidden fees
π (613) 317-3924
How to Spot a Towing Scam in Ottawa
Despite the TSSEA, scams still happen β especially at accident scenes where drivers are shaken and vulnerable. Watch for these red flags:
For a complete breakdown of common towing fraud tactics and how to protect yourself, read our in-depth guide: How to Avoid Tow Truck Scams in Ottawa.
What to Do When a Tow Truck Arrives: Step-by-Step
Whether you called a tow yourself or one showed up at an accident scene, follow these steps to protect your rights:
Check the truck signage. Look for the operator name and TSSEA certificate number displayed on the truck. If nothing is visible, do not let them touch your vehicle.
Ask for the maximum rate schedule. The driver must show you their rates before you agree to anything.
Read the consent form carefully. Verify the destination, rate, and operator information are filled in. Never sign a blank or partially completed form.
Take photos. Photograph the consent form, the truck (including signage), and your vehicle’s condition before loading. This is your evidence if a dispute arises.
Specify your destination. Tell the driver exactly where to take the vehicle β your home, your mechanic, or the storage lot of your choice.
Get an itemized invoice before paying. Verify every line item. If a charge seems wrong, note it and pay under protest β then file a complaint.
Keep all paperwork. Save the consent form, invoice, receipt, and photos. You will need these to file a complaint or submit an insurance claim.
How to File a Towing Complaint in Ontario
If a tow operator or storage facility violated your rights, you can file a complaint directly with the Ministry of Transportation. Here is what you need:
π Operator information: Name, TSSEA certificate number, company name on the truck
π Details of the event: What happened, when, where, what services were provided
π Supporting evidence: Photos, invoices, consent forms, dashcam footage, collision reports
π Submit online: Use the Ontario.ca towing complaint portal
You can also contact the Ministry of Transportation directly at:
Ministry of Transportation β Commercial Safety and Compliance Branch
301 St. Paul Street, 3rd Floor, St. Catharines, Ontario
Your Rights at a Vehicle Storage Facility
Storage facilities have their own set of TSSEA obligations. Here is what you should know when retrieving your vehicle from a lot:
Notification: Once they receive your towed vehicle, the storage operator must make reasonable efforts to notify you β by email, mail, courier, or in person β of where your vehicle is and how to retrieve it.
Prompt release: After you request your vehicle, they must organize a prompt release during their business hours.
Lien rights: The storage operator does have a legal right to require payment before releasing your vehicle under Ontario’s Repair and Storage Liens Act. This is legitimate β but the charges must not exceed their published rates.
Certificate display: Storage facilities must post their government-issued TSSEA certificate where customers can see it.
Vehicle safety: Storage facilities must safeguard your vehicle from loss or damage while in their care. For more on vehicle storage, see our Towing Ottawa storage lot page.
Our Towing & Roadside Services
Towing Ottawa is fully TSSEA-certified and provides a complete range of towing and roadside assistance services across Ottawa:
Frequently Asked Questions: Towing Rights in Ontario
Can I choose my own tow truck company in Ontario?
Yes. Under the TSSEA, you have the right to choose which company tows your vehicle and where it is taken. The only exception is when police direct the tow (e.g., in restricted tow zones on some GTA highways or at accident scenes that need immediate clearing).
What is the TSSEA and when did it take effect?
The Towing and Storage Safety and Enforcement Act (TSSEA) is Ontario’s provincial law regulating all towing and vehicle storage services. Phase 1 took effect January 1, 2024, with additional requirements phased in through 2025 and 2026. It replaced the previous patchwork of municipal bylaws.
Do I have to sign a consent form before being towed?
The tow operator must obtain your signed consent before towing. Without a signed Consent to Tow form, they cannot legally charge you for towing services. Never sign a blank form β all fields should be filled in before you sign.
How do I check if a tow company is licensed in Ontario?
You can verify any operator’s certificate status and published maximum rates through the Ontario government’s online portal at ontario.ca. Every tow truck must also display its operator name and TSSEA certificate number visibly on the vehicle.
Can a tow truck driver recommend a body shop?
Only if you ask. Unsolicited referrals to repair shops, body shops, or other businesses are prohibited under the TSSEA. If a referral is given at your request, the driver must disclose any financial benefit they receive from that referral.
Can I get my personal belongings from a towed car without paying?
Yes. Storage facilities must allow you (or someone authorized by you) to access your vehicle to retrieve personal belongings during business hours or pre-arranged times β at no charge. They cannot hold your belongings as leverage for payment.
What if the tow company charges more than their published rate?
They are required to refund the excess amount. If they refuse, file a complaint with the Ministry of Transportation through the Ontario.ca portal. Provide the invoice and published rates as evidence. The Director can suspend or cancel their certificate.
What are the new 2025 towing rate categories?
As of November 2025, the TSSEA introduced three tow categories: Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced β each with their own billable items. New allowable charges include safe loading, consumables, after-hours surcharges, border crossings, tolls, and EV storage fees. Operators updated their rate schedules accordingly.
Do these rights apply if police order the tow?
When police direct a tow (DUI, accident clearance, suspended licence), some rights β like choosing your company β may be overridden. However, the tow operator must still follow TSSEA requirements for rates, invoicing, and vehicle handling. In Ottawa, police have contract towing for accidents.
Where can I file a towing complaint in Ontario?
File a complaint through the Ontario.ca towing complaint portal. Include the operator’s TSSEA certificate number, details of what happened, and supporting evidence (photos, invoices, consent forms). The Ministry’s Director of Towing has authority to investigate and take enforcement action.
Need a Tow You Can Trust?
TSSEA-certified β’ Published rates β’ Written consent β’ No hidden fees β’ 24/7
π (613) 317-3924