Ontario’s GTA highway tow truck pilot project beginning: Here are the new rules

Billed as an effort to crack down on violence in parts of Ontario’s tow truck industry, a provincial licensing pilot project is coming into effect on several 400-series highways in the Greater Toronto Area.

It was in March when the Ontario government unveiled the program, which could operate for up to four years, as part of a larger suite of measures to crack down, which also includes looking at stronger oversight and standardized equipment standards.

A team made up of officers from the OPP and GTA police services was also called for in order to probe suspected criminal activity.

“This operation will root out criminals and ensure that decisive actions can take place to address incidents of violence in the towing industry,” Ontario Solicitor General Sylvia Jones in a statement at the time of the announcement.

In recent years there have been a number of investigations and charges relating to violent acts with police reporting vehicles being torched and shots fired by drivers. In at least one case a Toronto police officer was charged after allegedly stealing and distributing an unauthorized, encrypted radio.

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RELATED: Ford government cracking down on tow truck violence, plans to designate roads for each company

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Mark Graves, president of the Provincial Towing Association of Ontario, praised the government’s move and called it a “step in the right direction,” adding this is an effort that has been years in the making.

“So you’re not going to see these vehicles chasing and having a whole pile of tow trucks around breakdowns and things the same way as what has happened up to this point,” he told CityNews.

However, Graves said the area covered under the program is limited and said there might be some frustration as the program gets going.

“We’re all working collectively right now trying to get this model in place that’s going to support the motoring public in a safe and equitable fashion and not hurt the reputable towing companies to the point where they can’t survive,” he said.

“It’s a balancing act and all of the parties have to come to the table and continue working towards this with a common goal of getting [licensing] in place.”

With the pilot project starting on Dec. 13, 2021, here are the key details of the program according to the Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO):

What highways are covered under the program?

• Highway 400: Zone 3 between Highway 9 in King and Highway 401 in Toronto
• Highway 401: Zone 1 in Toronto between Highway 400 and Morningside Avenue, zone 2 between Regional Road 25 in Milton and Highway 400 in Toronto
• Highway 409: Zone 2 between Highways 427 and 401 in Toronto
• Highway 427: Zone 2 between Highways 401 and 427 in Toronto
• Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW): Zone 4 between Brant Street in Burlington and Highway 427 in Toronto

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Who do I call if I need a tow?

If you’re on any of the highways in the restricting towing zones, you will need to call an authorized company.

For those who break down in a live lane of traffic and can’t move to a safe location, call 911, and if you’re on the highway but in a safer location you will need to call 511 and select the “tow zone pilot” option.

You can arrange for towing through your preferred provider after your vehicle is removed from the highway.

The MTO said officers and/or ministry officials “may” allow you to use roadside assistance programs like CAA if you’re in a safe location, but it’s not a guarantee.

In a recent letter to its members, the CAA said for non-emergency situations they can continue to report it to the organization and staff will coordinate towing with an MTO-approved tow company. The company said there will no extra charges for members and towing distance will be based on what’s paid for under the membership.

What are authorized towing companies required to do under the pilot project?

Aside from providing “prompt, safe, courtesy and high-quality service,” MTO guidelines require authorized towing companies to do the following:

• Show you identification if you request it (trucks are also supposed to have MTO-related decals) and give you a fee schedule as well as other information materials
• Get your permission to tow your vehicle to your preferred destination once it is off the highway zone area unless police order it to be taken elsewhere
• Give you an itemized invoice of services provided, a breakdown of all the costs and the total before you are asked for payment (credit and debit card preferred)
• Allow you access to your vehicle if it’s being stored between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday to Friday or 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on weekends (except for holidays) at no charge so you can retrieve personal items unless police order otherwise
• The tow operator is not to recommend services related to sales, repair or body shops, or legal/medical services

What are the prices for towing?

The MTO set base rates for towing and storage. There is a one-hour minimum and if the service is after an hour, the charges are broken down into 30-minute increments. The rate covers the driver and operator charges and for vehicles that are broken down or impounded, it also includes preparation work, hooking up the vehicle to the truck and up to 10 kilometres of towing. The storage of vehicles is charged by the full calendar day.

Click here for a full list of fees.