Please note: This is general information, not legal or insurance advice. Check with your insurer about your own policy.
What the Rules Say
Three sources say the same thing:
- The Government of Alberta lists a tow truck among the service providers you have the right to choose.
- The AMA's “Know Before the Tow” campaign says you can choose who tows your vehicle, and where, unless police direct otherwise. You can also turn down towing you didn't ask for.
- The Edmonton Police Service points drivers to the AMA's towing rights card on its collision reporting page.
There’s a simple reason the choice is yours. The province puts the job of getting a car that can’t be driven off the road on you, the owner or driver.
When Police Choose the Tow
Police can step in and arrange the tow themselves. That usually happens when:
- the car is blocking traffic or creating a hazard
- you can't arrange a tow yourself, for example because you're hurt
- the car is being seized, such as after an impaired driving charge
If a car can’t be driven and no one arranges its removal, the province says a police officer may do so, and the vehicle "will be deemed abandoned."
In Edmonton, most cars towed by police and bylaw officers go to the Police Seized Vehicle Section at 12230 124 Ave NW.
Do You Have to Use the Tow Truck That Shows Up?
No. The first of two recent changes to the towing rules in Alberta took effect on August 8, 2025.
Under section 89.1 of the Use of Highway and Rules of the Road Regulation, a tow truck driver must not stop or park within 200 m of a damaged or disabled vehicle on a highway (in Alberta law, ‘highway’ includes city streets also). The exception is when someone asks them to come: a police officer, emergency crews, or the owner or driver of that vehicle.
The rule doesn't apply to tow trucks working under a city or provincial contract, or to a driver you've clearly agreed to. It's also illegal for anyone to tell a tow driver to break it.
So if a truck rolls up a minute after the crash and nobody called it, that's a red flag. You can wave it off.
What Alberta Towing Regulations Require Since April 1, 2026
The second change is the Vehicle Towing and Storage Regulation. Under these Alberta towing regulations, a tow company has to:
- Get your consent before towing. It has to be recorded in writing, electronically or as audio.
- Give you a clear written estimate of all towing and storage costs before your car is towed.
- Take the car only where you agree, and tell you if it's moved.
- Give you an itemized invoice before you pay.
- Let you get your belongings and inspect the car during business hours, at no charge.
Keep a copy of the estimate on your phone. If the final bill looks different, compare it against that estimate.
These rules don't cover tows directed by police, a municipality or a private property owner.
Signs of Tow Truck Chasers
Tow truck chasers are drivers who race to crash scenes in search of business. The province calls it predatory towing, and it’s the reason the rules got stricter. Watch for a driver who:
- showed up even though nobody called them
- rushes you to decide right now
- says the police or another responder sent them, but can't back it up
- won't give you a written price
- is vague about where your car is going
Your 60-second roadside checklist:
- Who called this truck: me, the police, or nobody?
- Do I have a written estimate, with storage rates included?
- Where exactly is my car going, and did I agree to it?
- Does the tow company get a referral fee from that shop or storage yard? The AMA says you can ask.
If you’d rather call someone yourself, phone a local accident towing company you’ve checked out, or the one your insurer suggests.
FAQs About Choosing Your Own Tow Truck
Should I sign anything the tow driver gives me?
Only the consent and estimate you've read and agree with. Never sign a blank form. The province also advises drivers not to confess fault or sign any comment at the scene.
If I have an adjuster, can I choose my own tow truck?
Yes. The Government of Alberta says you have the right to choose a service provider even if you have an adjuster. Your insurer can suggest a tow company, but the call is yours.
Can you refuse a tow truck the other driver called?
Yes, you can refuse a tow truck that someone else called for you. The other driver can call a tow truck for their own car, but that doesn’t mean it has to take yours. You can still choose your own tow company.
Do the 2026 rules set towing prices?
The government's summary of the 2026 rules doesn't list set prices. The rules focus on making costs clear upfront: a written estimate before the tow and an itemized invoice before you pay.
What if my car was towed without my consent?
In Edmonton, call the Police Seized Vehicle Section first to check whether police had it towed; if they didn't, call the police non-emergency line at 780-423-4567. To complain about a tow company, file online with the province's Consumer Investigations Unit or call the Consumer Contact Centre at 1-877-427-4088.
Need a Tow You Chose Yourself?
If you'd like us to be the company you pick, call 825-888-5533. Maverick Towing & Recovery Ltd is locally owned and available 24/7 in Edmonton. You'll get the estimate in writing before we tow, and you decide where the car goes. Learn more about Maverick's accident towing.