Your towing rights in Ontario

Every tow operator needs a provincial certificate

To offer or provide towing in Ontario, a business needs a tow operator certificate, and every tow truck driver needs a driver certificate. You can check any operator yourself: the province publishes each one's certificate status and maximum rates online.

Source: Towing and Storage Safety and Enforcement Act, 2021 · Ontario: get a towing or vehicle storage certificate · MTO public registry of tow operators and their rates

On a 400-series highway or the QEW, call 511

Seventeen stretches of the GTA's 400-series highways and the QEW, ramps included, are restricted towing zones. Only the company the province has contracted for that stretch may tow or give roadside help there. If you are safe, call 511 for a tow; if you are in a live lane or in danger, call 911.

Source: Ontario: Tow Zone Program · O. Reg. 217/25 (Restricted Towing Zones)

Rates are filed and published, and capped at what is filed

Every tow operator must file a maximum rate for each service with the province, and cannot charge more than that. You must be given the rate schedule when you are asked for consent, and estimates are free.

Source: Towing and Storage Safety and Enforcement Act, 2021 · O. Reg. 162/23 (Charges) · MTO public registry of tow operators and their rates

Nothing is towed without your consent

• The operator or driver must get your consent before towing, in writing or recorded if it is by phone.
• Before you consent, you must be given a written statement of your rights.
• The consent must show the operator's and driver's certificate numbers, your vehicle, and where it is going from and to. You get a copy.
• If one tow truck already has your consent, another may not try to get it.

Source: Towing and Storage Safety and Enforcement Act, 2021 · O. Reg. 167/23 (General)

Your car goes where you say

The vehicle must go by the most direct route to the destination you choose. It can only go to a repair shop if you agree to that.

Source: Towing and Storage Safety and Enforcement Act, 2021 · O. Reg. 167/23 (General)

You pay after the tow, the way you want

• You cannot be asked to pay before the service is done and you have the invoice.
• Tow operators must accept credit cards, debit cards, tap-to-pay and cash, and must not steer you to one.
• You get an itemized invoice and a receipt.

Source: O. Reg. 162/23 (Charges) · O. Reg. 167/23 (General)

What you cannot be charged for

• Preparing the invoice, the consent form or other paperwork.
• Carrying you and your passengers, or getting access to your vehicle.
• Fuel surcharges, unnecessary services, or extra time caused by the operator's own equipment.
• Anything charged in breach of the rules cannot be collected and must be refunded.

Source: O. Reg. 162/23 (Charges) · O. Reg. 167/23 (General) · Towing and Storage Safety and Enforcement Act, 2021

At a collision

• Call 911 if anyone is hurt or traffic is in danger.
• A tow truck may not stop or offer towing within 200 metres of a collision unless police, an inspector or someone involved asked for it.
• If police are directing the scene, follow their instructions.
• By law, a collision must be reported to police when anyone is injured or the damage is more than $5,000.

Source: Towing and Storage Safety and Enforcement Act, 2021 · MTO Driver's Handbook: dealing with emergencies

No pushing you toward a shop, a lawyer or a clinic

Tow operators may not refer you to medical or legal services. They may refer you to another towing, storage or repair business only if you ask, and they must tell you about any interest they have in it.

Source: Towing and Storage Safety and Enforcement Act, 2021 · O. Reg. 167/23 (General)

You can complain to the province

If an operator breaks the rules, you can file a complaint with the Ministry of Transportation's towing and storage office. Tell TowXpress too if it was a TowXpress job.

Source: Ontario: know your rights when getting a tow · Ontario: towing and vehicle storage requirements

The 17 restricted towing zones (both directions, ramps included)

• Highway 401 from Highway 400 to Highway 404
• Highway 401 from Highway 404 to Morningside Avenue
• Highway 404 from Highway 401 to Major Mackenzie Drive
• Highway 401 from Morningside Avenue to Highway 412
• Highway 401 from Dixie Road to James Snow Parkway
• Highway 401 from James Snow Parkway to Highway 6 South
• Highway 410 from Highway 401 to Hurontario Street
• Highway 403 from the QEW to Highway 401
• Highway 400 from Highway 401 to Highway 9
• Highway 401 from Dixie Road to Islington Avenue
• Highway 401 from Islington Avenue to Highway 400
• Highway 409 from Highway 427 to Highway 401
• Highway 427 from Highway 409 to the QEW
• Highway 427 from Highway 409 to Major Mackenzie Drive
• QEW from Highway 427 to Third Line
• Highway 403 from Third Line to Highway 6 North
• QEW from Highway 403 to Fifty Road

Source: O. Reg. 217/25 (Restricted Towing Zones) · Ontario: Tow Zone Program

Summary checked against the Act, its regulations and the province's pages on 23 October 2026.