Impounded Vehicles Section

The Ottawa Police Service’s (OPS) Impounded Vehicles Section (IVS) is a part of the Traffic Services Unit.

Officers working in IVS oversee all vehicles that have been towed and/or impounded by the police. They are responsible for verifying that this is done according to OPS policies or provincial and federal laws. Every year, over 4,300 vehicles are impounded by our officers. The IVS is also responsible for making sure that tow truck contractors are providing services in accordance with those laws and policies and responding to any public complaints about compliance relating to the approved contracts. 

So how does it all work? 

The OPS works with local tow truck providers who have successfully presented a bid to the City of Ottawa to win the contract. The IVS works with these companies to provide oversight of their activity as well as respond to any resident’s concerns.

The contracted tow truck companies are dispatched to the vehicle by OPS after officers have determined: 

1.     The vehicle was abandoned, is obstructing traffic, or was involved in a minor accident

2.     The vehicle was seized relating to a crime

3.     The vehicle falls under the Vehicle Impoundment Program (VIP)

4.     The vehicle was seized under the Ontario Highway Traffic Act (HTA)

In the majority of cases, towing and storage fees are the responsibility of the vehicle’s owner: 

 *Fees (not including HST) as of January 1, 2024

Personal and private tow charges

Personal towing and personal storage fees that may result following the completion of the towing contract with OPS are not referenced on this website and are 100% the responsibility of the registered owner. The Ministry of Transportation sets the prescribed maximum fees. 

Tow Truck Company locations

The Ottawa Police Service currently has two providers under contract for towing services.

·        West of Bank Street – SMC Towing Group

·        East of Bank Street – Ottawa Metro Towing 

Has your vehicle been towed?

If you cannot locate your vehicle where you last parked it, it may not necessarily have been stolen. Check streets and parking lots near where you last left it to see if it was moved a short distance away due to things like City street cleaning or snow removal.

The OPS is not responsible for vehicles impounded as a result of parking enforcement.  If your vehicle was unattended and parked on the roadway or on property managed by the City, please dial 311, or call 613-580-2400 to obtain more information. If your vehicle was parked on private property (mall parking lot, for example), please contact the business owner to determine where your vehicle was taken. 

If, after calling both the City and the private company, you are still not able to locate your vehicle, you will need to call us at 613-236-1222, extension 7300 to file a stolen vehicle report as these types of reports cannot be filed online. 

How do I get my vehicle? 

If the vehicle was held by OPS, the owner of the vehicle will need to obtain a vehicle release form by visiting us in person at one of our police stations:

·        West: 211 Huntmar Drive

·        Central:  474 Elgin Street

·        East: 3343 St-Joseph Boulevard

Review our current hours of operation for our Front Desk Services.

Contact Us 

IVS is open Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and closed on statutory holidays and weekends. If you believe that your vehicle was towed by the Ottawa Police Service, you can contact us at 613-236-1222, extension 2350 or by email at impoundedvehicles@ottawapolice.ca.

Other Resources

·        Consumer Protection, City of Ottawa

·        Provincial Towing and Storage Safety and Enforcement Act, 2021 

·        Provincial Towing Industry Act, 2008 

·        Towing and vehicle storage complaints