Certificates Required
Tow operators need a tow certificate, tow truck drivers need a tow driver certificate, and vehicle storage operators need a vehicle storage certificate (TSSEA, ss. 2–4). Certificates are issued by the Director of Towing and Vehicle Storage Standards, appointed by the Minister (ss. 5, 49).
The process is unusual: the Director can decide without a hearing, and appeal rights depend on the reason for the decision (O. Reg. 167/23, s. 9).
Grounds for Refusal, Suspension or Cancellation
The Director may suspend or cancel a certificate if you no longer meet the prescribed qualifications, contravened the Act or regulations, paid with a dishonoured payment, are not acting with honesty and integrity, or for any prescribed or other sufficient reason (TSSEA, s. 7(1)). A tow driver certificate is automatically suspended if your driver’s licence is suspended or cancelled (s. 7(2)).
The Director may also refuse to issue or renew if you owe fees, fines or administrative penalties under this Act, the Highway Traffic Act or the Provincial Offences Act (s. 5(3)).
Consent and documentation
Towing generally requires the prescribed consent first (s. 20), with estimates and invoices before payment (ss. 26–27).
Rates and charges
Amounts charged in contravention of the Act or regulations are not collectable (s. 32).
Scene conduct
Rules restrict soliciting near collisions and require compliance with police and firefighter directions (ss. 38–39).
Notices
Certificate holders must notify the Director of changes within 15 days (O. Reg. 167/23, ss. 14, 20, 30).
What Can Happen Next
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Director’s decision
There is no right to be heard before the decision (O. Reg. 167/23, s. 9(4)). The Director must notify you in writing with a summary of reasons, and a suspension or cancellation takes effect on the date in the notice (s. 9(5)–(6)).
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Written submissions
For some reasons, you may make written submissions within 30 days after being notified, and the Director must reconsider (s. 9(7)–(8)). There is no appeal from that reconsideration (s. 9(9)).
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Appeal to the Licence Appeal Tribunal
For other reasons, including failing to meet certain qualifications or a certificate condition, the decision may be appealed to the Licence Appeal Tribunal (s. 9(10)).
Deadline
File a notice of appeal, with the Tribunal’s fee, within 15 days after the day the Director’s decision takes effect (O. Reg. 167/23, s. 37(1)). Filing does not stay the decision unless the Tribunal orders otherwise (s. 37(3)).
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Administrative penalties
There is no right to be heard before a penalty order (TSSEA, s. 45(6)). Under O. Reg. 184/26, the maximum is $5,000 per contravention and an appeal to a hearing officer must start within 30 days after the order is deemed served; the hearing officer may extend that time (O. Reg. 184/26, ss. 5, 10). An appeal stays the order (TSSEA, s. 45(8)).
Checklist
First steps
- Identify which paragraph of the regulation the Director relied on, because it decides whether you can make submissions or appeal
- Note the date the decision takes effect: the 15-day appeal clock runs from it
- Gather consent forms, invoices, rate sheets and storage records
- Check driver’s licence status for every tow truck driver
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep towing while I appeal?
Only if the Tribunal orders a stay. Filing an appeal does not stay the decision by itself (O. Reg. 167/23, s. 37(3)).
Can I hold more than one tow certificate?
No. A person may hold only one certificate of each type, and certificates are not transferable (s. 5(4)–(5)).
Sources
Statutory references are to the provisions listed below, as consolidated on e-Laws when this page was prepared.
- Towing and Storage Safety and Enforcement Act, 2021, S.O. 2021, c. 26, Sched. 3, ss. 2–9, 20, 26–27, 32, 38–39, 45, 49 — Checked November 11, 2026.
- O. Reg. 167/23 (General), ss. 9, 14, 16, 20, 24, 30, 37 — Checked November 11, 2026.
- O. Reg. 184/26 (Administrative Penalties), ss. 5, 10 — Checked November 11, 2026.