Vehicle Towing and Seizure | Halton Regional Police Service

Being in a collision can be stressful. Make sure you know your towing options and rights before you find yourself in collision.

Your Rights and Towing

As the registered owner and/or driver of a vehicle involved in a motor vehicle collision (MVC), you:

Have the right to have your vehicle towed by the towing company of your choice; and
Have the right to have your vehicle towed to the location of your choice.

Does an Officer Need to Attend?

Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) officers respond to collisions when the involved vehicle(s) require a tow truck.

Towing Options

If you are involved in a MVC, the following towing options are available to you:

Owner's Choice of Tow

If the response time of the towing company is reasonable, you can use the towing company of your choice. This includes agencies, such as CAA, that have their own authorized towing companies.

Rotational Tow

The HRPS has authorized a number of towing companies to tow vehicles involved in MVCs, which can be requested through the officer on scene. These companies are assigned on a rotational basis and adhere to strict conditions set out by the HRPS.

My Vehicle Was Towed – What Now?

If your motor vehicle was towed to an authorized tow company compound

A tow release form will be mailed to the vehicle’s Registered Owner, to the address as registered with the MTO.

If a tow release is required right away, the Registered Owner may contact the Tow Coordinator’s office to request that the release be e-mailed.

If a Tow Release is needed outside of regular business hours, including weekends or holidays, the Registered Owner may attend an open district station to obtain an after-hours release.
Take the release slip to the tow company compound.
Present the Tow Release Slip with matching government issued identification, and pay the towing charges and storage fees.
Your car will be released to you. Please note that it is an offence to operate a motor vehicle in Ontario without a valid Driver’s Licence.

If your vehicle is towed as a result of a by-law infraction

Obtain the release slip from the police station in the District your vehicle was towed.
Take the release slip to the tow company compound.
Present the release slip and pay the towing charges and storage fees.
Your car will be released to you. Please note that it is an offence to operate a motor vehicle in Ontario without a valid Driver’s Licence.

Towing Costs

The rates set for towing were part of a tendering process in conjunction with the Halton region. Check with your towing company for exact rates and costs.

Additional Towing Links

Know Your Rights / MTO Complaint Portal

Ontario – Impounds/Appeal Process

Published Rates

Tow Operators/ Tow Drivers/Storage

Contact Information

For all questions pertaining to Vehicle Tows, Vehicle Releases and Towing related incidents within Halton Region, please contact the Halton Regional Police Service Tow Coordinator’s office at 905-825-4747 ext. 5318 or towing@haltonpolice.ca.

After Hour Tow Releases can be obtained at a district station. Vehicle owners requiring early Access to an Impounded Vehicle for Personal Property must attend the district in the city where their vehicle was towed from (Burlington, Oakville, Milton-for Milton and Halton Hills).