New Changes to Tow Truck Licensing

Effective January 1, 2024, Richmond Hill will no longer oversee the towing industry in our city. The Ministry of Transportation (MTO) will assume this role and implement the new Ministry of Transportation (MTO) Towing and Storage Safety Enforcement Act (TSSEA) throughout the province.

The TSSEA has established a provincial framework for the towing and vehicle storage sector, replacing former municipal oversight.

The Act requires tow operators, tow truck drivers, and vehicle storage operators to have a provincial certificate to operate. Operators and tow truck drivers will have to comply with provincial governance.

As a result, The City of Richmond Hill is no longer regulating and issuing licenses to tow operators, tow truck drivers, and vehicle storage operators.

Additional Information

• Tow operators, tow truck drivers, and vehicle storage operators can apply for a TSSEA certificate through an online portal

• As of January 1, 2024, the TSSEA has come into effect, and municipal oversight ended

• As of July 1, 2024, all tow drivers must have a TSSEA certificate to continue operating in the province

Helpful Links

• Learn more about a Towing and Vehicle Storage Certificate including eligibility and requirements, applying for a certificate, renewals, and fees.
• Submit Tow and Vehicle Storage Rates if you operate a tow truck or vehicle storage facility, you must submit your rates to the Ministry.
• Learn more about Towing and Vehicle Storage requirements including code of conduct and rates.
• Learn more about your rights when getting a tow Know your rights when dealing with towing services or if your vehicle gets towed to a storage lot

Complaints​ and Inquiries

Members of the public are welcomed to submit inquiries, or complaints related to tow trucks and vehicle storage facilities to ClientFeedback.mto.gov.on.ca/tssea.