Tow Truck Brokerage, Owner and Operator Licences

To operate in Vaughan, Tow Truck brokerages, owners and drivers are required to have a City of Vaughan licence until December 31st, 2023.  

 

As of 2024, the Province of Ontario will be managing all aspects of tow truck licensing, with tow truck and storage operators required to have provincial certification. Learn more on the Province of Ontario website.

The Province of Ontario will manage towing and storage as of January 2024

In line with the Towing and Storage Safety and Enforcement Act which comes into force on July 1st, 2023:

  • The Province of Ontario will be managing all aspects of tow truck licensing, with tow truck and storage operators required to have provincial certification by 2024. Learn more here.
  • As of 2024, tow truck brokerages, owners and operators will no longer require a City of Vaughan licence. 
  • The City of Vaughan will continue to enforce and licence tow truck brokerages, owners and drivers until December 31st, 2023. If your licence expires before that, you will need to renew your licence at a reduced fee.  

The Province of Ontario's Tow Zone Pilot

The Province of Ontario is conducting a Tow Zone Pilot on highways in the Greater Toronto Area, which in Vaughan includes Highway 400. Tow truck brokerages, owners and drivers that are participating in this pilot are not required to obtain a City of Vaughan tow truck licence if they are not providing tow services in Vaughan either than on Highway 400.

Options to apply 

1. On the Licensing Portal:

 

2. In person or by mail to:
By-Law and Compliance, Licensing & Permit Services
Vaughan City Hall, Level 100 
2141 Major Mackenzie Dr.

Vaughan, ON  L6A 1T1

 

3. Via the drop-boxes located at the entrances of Vaughan City Hall. 

 

4. By e-mail to:

bylaw.licensing@vaughan.ca, along with scanned copies of required documentation.

Please ensure the application or e-mail indicates a contact phone number for staff to collect payment.

 

If submitting your application by mail or via the drop-box, please enclose payment in the form of a cheque made payable to the City of Vaughan. If submitting your application via e-mail, please ensure the application or accompanying message indicate a contact name and phone number for our staff to collect payment.

 

The Towing Rate Sheet is required to be filed with the licensed Tow Truck Brokerages and/or Owners to the City of Vaughan By-law and Compliance department for every Tow Truck prior to charging these rates to members of the public, in line with the Licensing By-law, as amended, and posted at vaughan.ca/bylaw.

Applications

You can apply online on the Licensing Portal, or in person, by mail, drop-box or email using the application forms below.

The Tow Truck Owner or Tow Truck Operator licences require a photo of the applicant to be submitted, as described here.

 

Tow Truck Brokerage Application (PDF)

Tow Truck Owner or Driver Application (PDF)

 

Tow Truck Brokerage

Fee

2023

2024

Initial fee

$ 547

$ 584

Renewal fee

$ 316

$ 320

 

Tow Truck Operator (Driver)

Fee

2023

2024

Initial fee

$ 231

$247

Renewal fee

$ 205

$208

 

Tow Truck Owner

Fee

2023

2024

Initial fee

$ 409

$ 437

Renewal fee

$ 355

$ 359

 

Tow truck replacement book (if needed) 

Fee

2023

2024

Replacement book

$22

$24