Overview

If you are a tow or vehicle storage operator, you are required to submit the maximum rates you will charge for your services using our self-service portal. Your maximum rates will be published online for your customers to see.

Once you submit your initial rates, they will be effective immediately. To change a rate, there will be a 30-day waiting period before the new rate can take effect.

The Ministry of Transportation does not approve rates; however, they are subject to review. We can reject rates that we think are unreasonable and request that you submit new amounts, even if your rates have already been published. In these cases, you will be contacted by the Ministry of Transportation and may be assigned new interim rates.

Access to the rates portal service will be granted to the main email address that is listed on your record with the ministry. This will be the same email address that was provided on your application and is the same email address that the certificate was sent to when it was approved. This email address can add additional users to the service if needed. 

To ensure your personal information is safe, do not share your login or password information with anyone, including representatives you may have authorized.

What you can charge for

You can charge for necessary services only.

Tow operators cannot charge for:

  • towing service that takes longer than usual because of defects associated with the tow truck or issues caused by the actions of the tow operator or tow truck driver
  • unnecessary services
  • transporting the towed vehicle’s driver and passengers to any destination
  • allowing the towed vehicle’s driver or passengers to have access to it while providing towing services
  • changing the destination of a tow, other than an amount related to the change in distance
  • preparing invoices, consents or other administrative services

Vehicle storage operators cannot charge for:

  • providing access to or release of a stored vehicle between 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. from Monday to Friday, and 9 a.m. - noon on Saturday, or any other time when the vehicle storage facility is open
  • preparing or cleaning storage spaces
  • moving a vehicle within a storage yard facility or between facilities, unless the move is requested by the owner or operator of the vehicle
  • preparing invoices, consents or other administrative services

You can charge for any of the services in the table below that you provide. If you provide a service, you must submit your maximum rate using the self-service portal or your default rate will be $0.

Understanding Maximum Rates

The Maximum Rate Schedule form sets out the towing services and vehicle storage services that may be included on a maximum rate schedule.

Maximum rate schedules have been structured to create transparency for customers. Operators are encouraged to submit maximum rates that reflect what a customer will be charged for towing and vehicle storage services. Operators may not charge for any towing or vehicle storage service, or any ancillary service, unless they have submitted a maximum rate for it on their maximum rate schedule.

Operators are encouraged review the Maximum Rate Schedule Guidance for a better understanding of maximum rates.