The Rules of Towing and Motor Vehicle Storage Service Providers

There are some rules that you need to follow as a service provider dealing with motor vehicle storage and towing. They apply to the following classes of businesses:

Tow service operator

Possesses or operates a commercial vehicle that provides towing services. They are required to have a Commercial Vehicle Operators’ Registration certificate.

Tow truck broker

They don’t own a tow truck, but hire one from its owner.

Storage service operator

Stores vehicles brought to their premises by tow operators.

Tow truck driver

One who is tasked with driving the truck for the purpose of towing a customer’s vehicle.

Tow truck

This is a commercial vehicle that is fitted with a flatbed capable of tilting to accommodate other vehicles. It is specially designed, equipped, configured or modified to exclusively transport other vehicles. However, off-road vehicles and personal vehicles used to tow other smaller vehicles are not considered as tow trucks.

The general rules

All towing service providers must adhere to the following rules:

Get the approval of a consumer or their representative before offering their towing and storage services. Representatives are crucial in scenarios where a consumer has been involved in an accident and is not available at the time of towing.

Write down the contacts of whoever authorizes the tow, along with the time that the authorization was given.

Provide information such as the name of their business, contact information and the address where the vehicle will be stored.

Disclose the service rates on a website or business location.

Give an invoice showing all the services provided and their cost.

Get more detailed information here.

Signage

Your tow truck, website (if any), and business premises should display the following information.

The business name

Phone number

A licence number (if any)

If your business operates several tow trucks, a unique number should be displayed on all trucks. The numbers and letters displayed must have a height of more than 8 cm. all information written on the business premises must be conspicuous, understandable and clear to everyone.

Exemptions

Roadside assistance

Certain information need not be provided if you are not charging some services. This applies for services provided under membership in associations or prepaid agreement. More information can be accessed on prepaid agreement and association memberships.

Lawful power of seizure

When a vehicle is stored or towed for law enforcement purposes, some of the rules don’t apply. The consumer is responsible for the charges, even though they may not have initiated them.

Lien

If you met the general rules of towing, the Repair and Storage Liens act allows you to claim a lien. If you were required to perform a particular action but failed to do so, you cannot make any lien claims for offering that service.

Notifying the owner

You need to notify an owner if the vehicle you are storing is subject to a lien. The notification needs to be in written form and should also be passed to all parties related to the lien.

This is not an exhaustive guide to towing. More information can be accessed on the links provided and from the Ministry.