Towing and vehicle storage certificate

Overview

Eligibility and requirements

There are different requirements to be eligible for each certificate.

Tow operators

A tow operator is a person or company that offers towing services.

To apply for a certificate, you must:

• have a valid Ontario Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration (CVOR) certificate — if you do not have a CVOR, a National Safety Certificate (NSC) will be required.
• meet commercial vehicle safety requirements, including requirements for vehicle inspections and equipment (tow truck operators are currently exempt from Hours of Service and Electronic Logging Devices (ELD) requirements)
• have minimum insurance coverage of:
  • $2 million in liability insurance for personal injury or death and loss or damage to property
  • $100,000 in consumer vehicle insurance
  • $50,000 in cargo liability insurance
• have no outstanding fees or fines
• have not been refused a municipal licence
• have always provided towing services competently and safely

All applicants and corporate officers of the tow company must:

• have a Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check (CRJMC) — corporate officers will be verified with the Ontario Business Registry or Corporations Canada before we process the application
• not have been convicted of certain offences under the:
  • Criminal Code of Canada
  • Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
• not have any court orders or conditions of parole that prohibit you from possessing a weapon or prohibit you from being around or alone with certain people outlined in the court order

Tow truck drivers

To apply, you must have:

• a valid driver’s licence (minimum G class)
• a Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check
• completed a mandatory driver training program approved by the Ministry of Transportation (a list of authorized training providers will be posted once available). 
  • Tow truck drivers applying by June 30, 2024, can get a certificate without having completed the approved training as long as they complete the approved training before renewing. 
  • Tow truck drivers applying on or after July 1, 2024, must complete approved training before applying.
  • Tow truck drivers who have completed a training program approved by the ministry in the past 3 years are not required to complete a mandatory driver training program again
• not have been convicted of certain offences or have a licence suspension under the:
  • Criminal Code of Canada
  • Highway Traffic Act
  • Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
  • Compulsory Automobile Insurance Act
• not have any court orders or conditions of parole that prohibit you from possessing a weapon or prohibit you from being around or alone with certain people outlined in the court order
• have no outstanding fees or fines
• have not been refused a municipal licence
• have always provided towing services competently and safely

Vehicle storage operators

A vehicle storage operator is a person or company that offers vehicle storage facilities or services.

To apply, you must:

• have minimum insurance coverage of:
  • $2 million in liability insurance for personal injury or death and loss or damage to property
  • $100,000 in consumer vehicle insurance
  • $50,000 in cargo liability insurance
• meet municipal zoning requirements for all vehicle storage locations. Contact your municipality for information on zoning requirements.
• have no outstanding fees or fines
• have not been refused a municipal licence
• have always provided vehicle storage services competently and safely

All applicants and corporate officers of the vehicle storage company must:

• have a Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check (CRJMC) — corporate officers will be verified with the Ontario Business Registry or Corporations Canada before processing the application.
• not have been convicted of certain offences under the:
  • Criminal Code of Canada
  • Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
• not have any court orders or conditions of parole that prohibit you from possessing a weapon or prohibit you from being around or alone with certain people outlined in the court order

Fees