⚖️ Quick Answer: Ontario’s Towing and Storage Safety and Enforcement Act (TSSEA), in effect since January 1, 2024, gives you strong legal protections every time your vehicle is towed. You have the right to choose your own tow company, receive a written rate schedule before consenting, get an itemized invoice before paying, and retrieve your personal belongings at no charge. Tow operators cannot exceed their published maximum rates, and every operator and driver must hold a valid provincial certificate. If a tow operator violates these rules, you can file a complaint with the Ontario Ministry of Transportation.
Need a tow from a company that respects your rights? We’re fully TSSEA-certified.
Whether your car was just towed from a parking lot, you are stranded on the highway after an accident, or a tow truck has pulled up beside you uninvited — knowing your legal rights can save you hundreds of dollars and a tremendous amount of stress.
Ontario overhauled its towing laws in 2024, replacing a patchwork of inconsistent municipal bylaws with a single province-wide framework: the Towing and Storage Safety and Enforcement Act (TSSEA). This legislation was introduced after years of reports about predatory “chaser” tow operators, inflated invoices, insurance fraud, and even intimidation of stranded drivers. This guide breaks down exactly what the law says, what your rights are, and what to do if those rights are violated.
What Is the TSSEA?
The Towing and Storage Safety and Enforcement Act, 2021 (TSSEA) is Ontario’s provincial law governing the towing and vehicle storage industry. It came into effect on January 1, 2024, replacing the old system where individual municipalities each had their own separate towing bylaws — some strict, some barely existent, and none consistent with each other.
The TSSEA was driven by serious problems in the industry: tow operators racing to accident scenes and pressuring shaken drivers into using their service at inflated rates, storage companies holding vehicles hostage until owners paid exorbitant fees, and organized fraud schemes involving tow companies, body shops, and fraudulent insurance claims.
The law has four main pillars: provincial certification of all operators and drivers, a consumer code of conduct, a transparent rate schedule system, and enforcement authority given to police, provincial inspectors, and the Ministry of Transportation. You can read the full text of the TSSEA on Ontario e-Laws, and for a plain-language summary of your protections, visit the Ontario government’s towing rights page. We also have a concise overview on our Ontario towing rights page.
Your 10 Rights Under Ontario Towing Law
Under the TSSEA and its regulations, every Ontario driver is entitled to the following protections:
Right to choose your own tow company
You decide who tows your vehicle and where it goes — unless police direct otherwise at an accident scene. No tow operator can pressure you into using their service.
Right to see the rate schedule before consenting
Tow operators must provide you with their maximum rate schedule before you sign a consent form. You should know exactly what the service will cost before agreeing to anything.
Right to written consent before towing
Tow operators must obtain your documented consent (a signed Consent to Tow form) before hooking up your vehicle. Without it, they cannot legally charge you. The only exception is when police direct the tow.
Right to an itemized invoice before payment
You must receive an itemized invoice that breaks down all charges before payment is demanded. The operator must also give you a proper receipt after payment. No vague or lump-sum bills.
Right to pay by multiple methods
Operators must accept cash, cheque, credit card, and debit card. They cannot insist on cash-only payment — a common tactic used by predatory operators in the past.
Right to the most direct route
Your vehicle must be transported via the most direct route to the destination you specified. Operators cannot take a longer route to increase per-kilometre charges. If they must deviate, they are required to notify you.
Right to retrieve personal belongings for free
Storage facilities must allow you to collect personal items from your vehicle during business hours or at pre-arranged times, at no charge. They cannot hold your belongings hostage until the towing or storage bill is paid.
Right to verify the operator’s certificate
Every tow operator, tow driver, and storage facility must hold a valid TSSEA certificate. The certificate number must be displayed on the truck. You can ask to see it and verify it on the Ontario government portal.
Right to refuse unsolicited referrals
Tow operators are prohibited from recommending body shops, legal services, or health services unless you specifically ask. If they do give a referral, they must disclose any financial relationship they have with that business.
Right to file a complaint
If any of these rights are violated, you can file a complaint with the Ontario Ministry of Transportation through their online portal. The Director of Towing has the authority to suspend or cancel an operator’s certificate.
Need a Tow You Can Trust?
Towing Toronto is fully TSSEA-certified. Transparent rates. Written consent. Itemized invoices. Every time.
Towing a Car From Private Property in Ontario
Towing a car from private property — parking lots, condo buildings, shopping plazas, apartment complexes — is one of the most disputed areas of Ontario towing law. Here is what you need to know:
If your vehicle was towed from private property and you believe the tow was improper (no signs posted, no authorization, or TSSEA rules were violated), document everything — take photos of the lot signage (or lack of it), keep all invoices, and file a complaint. For more details, see our dedicated private property towing service page and our guide to avoiding unsolicited towing services. You can also learn how to save money on tows by knowing your rights in advance.
Your Rights at an Accident Scene
Accident scenes are where predatory towing practices have historically been worst. “Chasers” — tow operators who use scanners to race to collision sites — would pressure shaken, injured drivers into signing tow agreements at inflated rates. The TSSEA specifically targets this behaviour:
You do not have to use the first tow truck that arrives. Even if a tow truck is already at the scene, you can decline their service and call your own tow company or CAA.
Police can direct a tow for safety reasons (to clear the highway), but you still choose the tow company when it is your vehicle and there is no public safety urgency.
In Toronto’s tow zone pilot areas (parts of the 401, 400, DVP, and Gardiner), police dispatch tow trucks on a rotation — but you still have the right to see the rate schedule and receive an itemized invoice.
Never sign anything you have not read. Even in a stressful accident, take a moment to read the consent form and rate schedule. If you feel pressured, call the police non-emergency line or your insurance company.
For a complete walkthrough of what to do after a collision in Toronto, including whether you need a Collision Reporting Centre, see our accident guide. For details on accident towing costs and insurance billing, visit our towing cost price guide.
6 Red Flags That a Tow Operator Is Breaking the Law
They arrive at the scene without being called
A tow truck that shows up at a breakdown or accident without being dispatched by you, CAA, your insurance, or police is a “chaser.” You are under no obligation to use them.
They refuse to show a rate schedule before towing
This is a direct TSSEA violation. If they will not show you the rates upfront, do not consent to the tow.
They demand cash-only payment
The TSSEA requires multiple payment methods. Cash-only demands are illegal and are often a sign of an unregistered operator or inflated billing.
No certificate number displayed on the truck
Every tow truck in Ontario must clearly display the operator name and TSSEA certificate number. If you cannot see it, ask. If they refuse to show it, call the police.
They recommend a specific body shop or lawyer
Unsolicited referrals to body shops, legal services, or health clinics are prohibited under the TSSEA. This was a common kickback scheme before the new law.
They charge more than the published rate
You can verify any operator’s maximum rates on the Ontario MTO portal. If the invoice exceeds those rates, the operator must refund the difference and may face enforcement action.
How to File a Towing Complaint in Ontario
If a tow operator or storage facility violates any of your rights, here is how to report it:
Gather evidence: Photos of the tow truck (including certificate number), invoices, consent forms, dashcam footage, and any communication with the operator.
Check the operator’s rates online: Visit the Ontario MTO towing portal to compare what you were charged against the operator’s published maximum rates.
File your complaint online: Use the Ontario government’s towing complaint portal. Include as much detail as possible and submit your evidence.
Contact MTO directly if urgent: Email Towing@ontario.ca or call the Ministry of Transportation Commercial Safety and Compliance Branch for time-sensitive issues.
💡 Tip: File your complaint as soon as possible after the incident. The MTO can only address complaints related to events that occurred on or after January 1, 2024, when provincial oversight took effect. The Director of Towing has the authority to issue, suspend, or cancel certificates based on complaints and investigations.
TSSEA-Certified Towing Across the GTA
Towing Toronto operates in full compliance with the TSSEA. Every tow includes written consent, transparent rates, an itemized invoice, and multiple payment options — because that is both the law and the right way to treat people. We provide accident towing, flatbed towing, roadside assistance, and 24-hour service across the GTA.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ontario Towing Laws
What is the TSSEA in Ontario?
The Towing and Storage Safety and Enforcement Act (TSSEA) is Ontario’s provincial law governing the towing and vehicle storage industry. It came into effect on January 1, 2024, replacing individual municipal bylaws with a single province-wide regulatory framework that requires certification, transparent rates, written consent, and a code of conduct for all operators.
Can a tow truck tow my car without my permission in Ontario?
In most cases, no. The tow operator must obtain your written consent before towing. The main exceptions are when police direct a tow for public safety (such as clearing a highway after an accident), when municipal bylaw officers authorize a tow from a fire route or no-parking zone, or when a property owner authorizes removal of a vehicle from clearly signed private property.
Can my car be towed from a private parking lot in Ontario?
Yes, but only if parking restriction signs are clearly posted at the property and the property owner or manager has authorized the tow. The tow operator must still comply with all TSSEA requirements — certification, published rates, itemized invoice, and multiple payment options. If no signs were posted, the tow may be unlawful.
Do I have to use the first tow truck that arrives at an accident?
No. You have the right to choose your own tow company. Even if a tow truck arrives at the scene uninvited, you are under no obligation to use them. Call your own tow company, CAA, or your insurance provider’s roadside assistance instead.
How do I check if a tow operator is licensed in Ontario?
Every certified operator’s certificate status and maximum rates are published on the Ontario government’s online portal. You can search by operator name or certificate number, which must be displayed on the side of every tow truck. Visit ontario.ca and search for “towing rights” to access the portal.
Can a tow company charge me for storage if I cannot pick up my car right away?
Yes, storage charges are legal, but they must be in accordance with the operator’s published maximum rates and clearly itemized on your invoice. The storage facility must also release your vehicle when you request it and provide access to retrieve personal belongings at no charge. They cannot hold your vehicle indefinitely without following proper legal procedures.
What should I do if a tow operator overcharges me?
First, compare the charges on your invoice against the operator’s published maximum rates on the Ontario MTO portal. If the charges exceed the published rates, file a complaint through the Ontario government’s online towing complaint portal. Include your invoice, any photos, and details of the interaction. The operator is legally required to refund any overcharge.
Can a tow truck driver recommend a body shop after an accident?
Only if you specifically ask for a recommendation. Under the TSSEA, tow operators and drivers are prohibited from making unsolicited referrals to body shops, legal services, or healthcare providers. If they do give a referral, they must disclose any financial benefit they receive from that business.
How much can a tow truck charge in Ontario?
There is no single province-wide rate cap. Instead, each operator sets their own maximum rates, submits them to the Ministry of Transportation, and publishes them online. They cannot charge more than their published maximum rates. Rates vary by operator and service type. You can compare rates between operators on the government portal before choosing a tow company.
Does the TSSEA apply to CAA tows?
Yes, CAA and all roadside assistance providers must comply with the TSSEA. However, there are exemptions from the consent form and invoicing requirements for membership-type roadside assistance services where the member has an existing contractual relationship. CAA states that it operates in full compliance with the legislation.
Towing Done Right. Every Time.
TSSEA-certified. Transparent rates. Written consent. Itemized invoices. 24/7 across the GTA.
Recent Comments