Tow truck drivers must have Ontario certification by July 1

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tow truck drivers will need to be certified as of next week to operate in the province.

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The Ford government said the new certification for the towing industry will protect drivers against fraudulent companies.

“While the vast majority of Ontario’s towing industry operates in good faith, bad actors have preyed on vulnerable drivers for too long,” Minister of Transportation Prabmeet Sarkaria said in a statement Friday.

“That is why our government is helping to level the playing field, giving people confidence and peace of mind when they need help at the side of the road.”

The Ontario government passed the Towing and Storage Safety and Enforcement Act in June 2021 that transitioned municipal oversight of the towing and vehicle storage sectors to the province as of Jan. 1.

Tow truck drivers will be required to be certified as of July 1 while tow and vehicle storage operators were required to be certified at the beginning of the year.

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The province says tow operator and vehicle storage certificates must be renewed every year while tow driver certificates must be renewed every three years.

Drivers will have the ability to choose the company that tows their vehicle — unless directed by police — and request a driver’s proof of certificate.

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In addition, tow truck drivers will be required to provide information on the maximum fees or rate they are permitted to charge and take the customer’s vehicle to the desired location using the most direct route, the province said.

Tow truck drivers will be required to complete a mandatory training program and complete a criminal record check to obtain a certificate from the province.

If a driver is found working without appropriate credentials, they could face fines, possible vehicle impoundment and risk forfeiting future certification.

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