Police have impounded a tow truck and its licence plates after an unlicensed operator and company were caught working illegally in Caledon, part of a broader effort to crack down on unauthorized tow services across Ontario.
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) said the driver, who was pulled over on Tuesday, was found to be operating without a valid tow licence. Investigators also determined that the tow truck company itself was unlicensed, leading to multiple charges.
As a result, the tow truck was impounded for a week, and its licence plates were confiscated. Police have not released the name of the driver or the company.
This enforcement comes as part of Ontario’s province-wide effort to clean up the towing industry, which has been plagued by criminal activity, fraud, and non-compliant operators.
In 2024, police across Mississauga and Brampton laid over 200 charges against illegal tow truck operators, identifying nearly 80 non-compliant tow trucks and removing nine from service.
Province-wide, the OPP took 41 tow trucks off Ontario roads last year and laid over 500 tow-related charges.
Ontario’s new Towing and Storage Safety Enforcement Act (TSSEA) was introduced in 2024 to centralize oversight and licensing, taking regulatory power away from individual municipalities.
Drivers should be cautious when dealing with unlicensed or unauthorized tow operators. The province offers the following tips to ensure compliance and avoid fraud:
- Tow trucks require driver consent unless police or an authorized official initiates the tow.
- Drivers must sign a “permission to tow” form before the service begins.
- Towing and storage rates must be disclosed upfront and posted at the tow company’s office, website, and storage location.
- Drivers or an authorized person must be allowed access to their vehicle after it is towed, unless restricted by police.
- If you need a tow on Highway 401, call 511 for a tow through the province’s Tow Zone pilot project or dial *OPP for assistance elsewhere in Ontario.
- Concerns over violence, fraud, and criminal activity in the towing industry led the province to establish a towing task force in 2020, which has since introduced stricter enforcement and industry regulations.
Authorities are urging Ontario residents to report any suspicious or unauthorized tow operators to ensure compliance and protect consumers from potential fraud or price gouging.