What You Need to Know About Towing & Vehicle Storage in Ontario
If you're involved in towing or vehicle storage in Ontario, you already know that a lot has changed. The Towing and Storage Safety and Enforcement Act, 2023 (TSSEA) brought the industry under provincial oversight, and now, more than two years in, enforcement is well underway. Whether you're a tow operator, a tow truck driver, or a vehicle storage operator, this guide covers the current requirements you need to stay compliant in 2026 and beyond.
TSSEA Timeline & Enforcement: Where Things Stand
Here's the quick timeline of how we got here:
January 1, 2024 - Tow operators and vehicle storage operators were required to hold valid certificates.
July 1, 2024 - Tow truck drivers were required to hold valid certificates. The educational/transition period ended and active enforcement began.
November 1, 2024 - The CVOR knowledge test moved online (more on that below).
July 1, 2025 - New regulations (O. Reg. 110/25 and O. Reg. 313/25) took effect, introducing new towing categories, billing rules, and consumer protections.
November 3, 2025 - The three new towing categories (Basic, Intermediate, Advanced) became operational.
Enforcement is real. The province reported approximately 1,400 enforcement interventions during the 2024-25 fiscal year, including advisory letters, formal warnings, certificate suspensions, and outright cancellations. Legal commentators have described the enforcement approach as "strict and unforgiving." Some grounds for refusal or cancellation are non-appealable - for example, a prior municipal license refusal, a previous TSSEA cancellation, or certain disqualifying convictions. The definition of "related persons" is also being broadly interpreted, so corporate officers and associated individuals need to pay close attention.
As of early 2025, roughly 1,500 tow operators, 8,000 tow truck drivers, and 2,000 vehicle storage operators have been certified under the TSSEA.
The CRJMC: What You Need
Every tow operator, tow truck driver, vehicle storage operator, and their corporate officers needs a Criminal Record Judicial Matters Check (CRJMC) to apply for or renew their certificate. This is not optional - the TSSEA specifically requires it.
Here's what you need to know about the CRJMC:
Tow operators and vehicle storage operators must renew their CRJMC every year (annually).
Tow truck drivers must renew their CRJMC every 3 years, in line with their certificate renewal cycle.
The CRJMC must be no older than 90 days from the date you submit your certificate application.
Corporate officers and related persons of tow or vehicle storage operations also need their own CRJMC.
You can get your CRJMC online through CRJMC.net. The entire process is online and most people have their results within 15 minutes. No appointments or lineups. Head to crjmc.net, complete the form, verify your identity, and you're done.
What Does the CRJMC Screen For?
The CRJMC checks for records under several statutes that can affect your eligibility:
Criminal Code of Canada
Highway Traffic Act (HTA)
Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
Compulsory Automobile Insurance Act
If you have past issues under any of these, it doesn't automatically mean you can't get certified - but it may trigger further review. Certain serious convictions, however, are disqualifying. It's important to know your record before you apply.
Mandatory Training for Tow Truck Drivers
As of July 1, 2024, all new tow truck driver applicants must complete a government-approved training program before they can receive their certificate. Approved training providers include WreckMaster and the Canadian Towing Association/DRIVEWISE program.
If you were grandfathered in (i.e., you held your certificate before the training requirement took effect), you still need to complete an approved program before your next renewal. The training only needs to be completed once - it's not a recurring requirement.
CVOR Knowledge Test: Now Online
Since November 1, 2024, the CVOR knowledge test has moved from in-person DriveTest centres to an online format. Once you apply for your CVOR, you have 6 months to complete the online assessment.
Current fees:
CVOR application fee: $250
Online assessment fee: $32
This means no more booking appointments at DriveTest centres and waiting in line.
New Towing Categories (Effective November 3, 2025)
A key change under the new regulations (O. Reg. 110/25 and O. Reg. 313/25) is the introduction of three distinct towing categories:
Basic Towing - Standard light-duty tows (think typical roadside assistance and passenger vehicle tows).
Intermediate Towing - Medium-duty work requiring additional equipment and expertise.
Advanced Towing - Heavy-duty and specialized recovery operations.
These categories affect what you can bill for, what documentation is required, and the level of training expected. For non-basic towing, operators are now required to take mandatory photos documenting the job. All categories must maintain electronic documentation.
Updated Billing Rules & Consumer Protections
The 2025 regulations also introduced new billable items and stronger consumer safeguards. Here's what's changed:
New Billable Items
Safe loading and securing charges
Consumables used during the tow
Border crossing fees
Tolls and permits
After-hours charges
EV (electric vehicle) storage fees
Consumer Protections
Restricted consent for non-towing services - operators can't bundle extras without clear consumer agreement.
Mandatory run sheets must be maintained during every shift.
Mandatory photos for intermediate and advanced towing jobs.
Electronic document requirements - paper-only record-keeping is no longer sufficient.
These changes are designed to increase transparency and protect consumers while also giving operators clarity on what they can legitimately charge for.
Certificate Fees
Certificate fees are currently frozen until July 1, 2026. After that date, fees will be subject to annual CPI (Consumer Price Index) adjustments.
Current fee of note:
Tow truck driver certificate: $195 for a 3-year term
Insurance Requirements (Unchanged)
The insurance requirements under the TSSEA have not changed. Whether you're a tow operator or a vehicle storage operator, here's what you still need:
Commercial general liability
$2,000,000
Consumer vehicle coverage
$100,000
Cargo liability
$50,000
Make sure your insurance is current and meets these minimums before you apply for or renew your certificate. Lapsed coverage can result in suspension or cancellation.
Vehicle Storage Operator Requirements
Vehicle storage operators have their own set of requirements in addition to the CRJMC and insurance minimums:
A physical office location for your storage operation.
Zoning compliance - your storage lot must comply with local municipal zoning bylaws.
The same insurance coverage outlined above ($2M liability, $100K consumer vehicle, $50K cargo).
Who's Exempt?
Not every situation requires a vehicle storage certificate. Exemptions include:
Vehicles stored for more than 30 days (these fall outside the TSSEA definition of "vehicle storage").
Repair shops that store vehicles incidentally while performing repairs.
Pass-through tows where the vehicle is not being stored at the location.
Practical Tips for Staying Compliant
With enforcement in full swing, here are some practical tips to keep you on the right side of the rules:
Get your CRJMC early. Remember the 90-day rule - don't let it expire before you submit your application. Order it at crjmc.net and you'll typically have it within 15 minutes.
Track your renewal dates. Annual for operators, every 3 years for drivers. Put it in your calendar now.
Complete your training. If you're a grandfathered driver who hasn't done government-approved training yet, don't wait until the last minute.
Keep your insurance up to date. A lapse could mean suspension or cancellation of your certificate.
Understand the new towing categories. Make sure you know which category your work falls under and meet the corresponding documentation requirements.
Go digital. Electronic documentation is now required - invest in the tools and processes to keep compliant records.
Bottom Line
The Ontario towing and vehicle storage industry has seen significant changes over the past two years, and the rules continue to evolve. The requirements are clear, and tools like CRJMC.net make the CRJMC part of the process straightforward.
If you haven't renewed your CRJMC recently, or if you're just getting started in the industry, head over to crjmc.net today. It takes about 15 minutes, it's fully online, and you'll have one less thing to worry about.
Stay safe out there, and stay certified.