Towing

Have you been towed?

If your car is not where you last parked it, it doesn't mean it has been stolen. Vehicles are impounded and relocated for various reasons, often because they are parked in rush hour routes or for other bylaw infractions. Follow these steps to find out if you're vehicle has been moved by a tow operator:

1. Call the Toronto Police Service non-emergency line at 416-808-2222, press 4, then press 2, which will put you in contact with the communications dispatcher. 
2. Please have the correct vehicle licence plate number and your vehicle's last known location available. 
3. The dispatcher will advise you if your car has been impounded or relocated, as well as the vehicle's current location. 

Once you have determined that your vehicle has been impounded, call the appropriate towing company immediately, to make arrangements to retrieve it. Remember that storage fees continue to accrue, so attend the impound facility as quickly as possible. 

The storage day is 24 hours from the time the vehicle arrives at the pound. Twenty-five per cent of the 24-hour storage fee is chargeable for each of the first four hours, which shall include any part of an hour. One hour is payable as soon as the vehicle arrives at the pound. 

The hourly rate and minimum rate will reapply at the conclusion of each 24-hour period. See the Towing Practices and Rates document below for more information.

The Toronto Police Service Towing & Storage Contract

The Toronto Police Service (TPS) requires prompt and efficient towing and pound services on a 24 hour a day, 7 day a week basis. The need for this service arises from police contact with vehicles such as those recovered after being stolen, impounded for by-law infractions, or those impounded following the arrest of a driver. Over the years, the TPS has developed a standard to ensure that contracted towing and pound service providers deliver acceptable levels of service to both the community and the Service.
 

Toronto Police Service Contract Towing & Storage Fees

Standard tow fees apply to all police authorized impounds of vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of less than 7004 lbs. (3177 kgs), and medium tow fees apply to all vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of 7004 lbs (3177 kgs) to 13,227 lbs (6000 kgs), located within the road allowance or where the tow truck can be driven to the vehicle to be towed. The use of dollies is included in the standard & medium tow rates. Winching and off-road recovery costs are permitted to be charged in addition to the flat rate when applicable. 

The storage day is 24 hours from the time the vehicle arrives at the pound. Twenty-five per cent of the 24 hour storage fee is chargeable for each hour of the first 4 hours, which shall include any part of an hour. One hour is payable as soon as the vehicle arrives at the pound. (The hourly rate and minimum rate will reapply at the conclusion of each 24 hour period.) 

Comments, Questions and Complaints

Any concerns can be forwarded directly to the towing contractor, their contact information is listed above. For more information, contact the Traffic Services Contract Towing and Impound Team.