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 come to my collision?

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

Your Options for Towing

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

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.

Secure Tow

If you are unable to determine the type of tow due to injury or arrest, your vehicle will be seized and towed to a secure compound by an authorized HRPS towing company. You will be issued a vehicle release slip to retrieve your vehicle at a later time.

My vehicle was towed – what now?

If your motor vehicle was towed to an authorized tow company compound
  1. Obtain the release slip from the police station in the District from which your vehicle was towed.
  2. Take the release slip to the tow company compound.
  3. Present the release slip and pay the towing charges and storage fees.
  4. Your car will be released to you.

If your vehicle is towed as a result of a by-law infraction
  1. Obtain the release slip from the police station in the District from which your vehicle was towed.
  2. Take the release slip to the tow company compound.
  3. Present the release slip and pay the towing charges and storage fees.
  4. Your car will be released to you.

Towing Costs

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