Tow Truck Brokerage, Owner and Operator Permit
The following licences are required for the tow truck industry in order to operate in the City of Vaughan:
- Tow truck brokerage: Required to accept and dispatch calls from the public to tow trucks owned by others.
- Tow truck owner: Required to own a tow truck that another person is operating. This application also requires a Criminal Record Check and a certificate of insurance.
- Tow truck operator: Required to operate a tow truck within the city of Vaughan. This application requires a Criminal Record Check.
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, you can now apply for and renew Tow Truck Brokerage licences, along with other stationary business licences. In the future, you will be able use the portal to apply for Tow Truck Owner and Tow Truck Operator licences, along with various other individual and mobile licences also.
Get or renew a business license or Permit
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
If you are applying for a Tow Truck Brokerage, you can apply online on the Licensing Portal, or in person, by mail, drop-box or email using the application form below.
If you are applying for a Tow Truck Owner or Tow Truck Operator licence, you can apply in person, by mail, drop-box or email using the application form below. These 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 |