Can You Tow a Neighbour’s Car in Quebec? Laws Explained

Can You Tow a Neighbour’s Car in Quebec? Laws Explained

Someone parks in your driveway. Again. Or a car has been abandoned on the street in front of your house for weeks. Or your neighbour’s broken-down vehicle is blocking your garage entrance. The frustration builds, and you start wondering: can I just tow it myself? Can I call a tow truck and have it removed? Who pays? What are the towing Quebec rules?

These are some of the most common questions about towing Quebec residents ask — and the answers are more nuanced than most people expect. The rules differ depending on whether the vehicle is on public property or private property, whether proper signage exists, and what steps you have taken before calling a tow truck.

At Quebec Remorquage, we handle authorized private property towing, municipal towing requests, and standard towing services across the Quebec City area. This guide explains the legal framework around towing Quebec laws so you know exactly what you can and cannot do — and how to handle each situation properly.

⚖️ Towing a Vehicle on a Public Road in Quebec

If a vehicle is parked on a public road — even if it is directly in front of your house — the road belongs to the municipality, not you. This means:

• You cannot personally tow, move, or interfere with a vehicle on a public road. This is true even if it is illegally parked, blocking your driveway entrance, or appears abandoned.
• Only municipal authorities or police can order a tow from a public road. They contract licensed tow operators to carry out the removal.
• You can report the situation to your municipal bylaw enforcement office or the police, who will assess and potentially issue a ticket and order the vehicle towed.

In Quebec City, the municipal bylaw office handles parking complaints including vehicles parked too long, blocking access, expired registration, and apparent abandonment. The SAAQ also plays a role: vehicles with cancelled registration or no valid insurance can be reported to the SAAQ for enforcement action.

🏠 Towing a Vehicle From Private Property in Quebec

Private property rules are different. If someone parks on your property without permission, you have more authority — but there are still rules:

• Signage is usually required. For commercial properties (parking lots, businesses, apartment complexes), visible signage must warn that unauthorized vehicles will be towed at the owner’s expense. Without proper signage, the tow may be challenged legally.
• Residential property owners have more flexibility — someone parked in your personal driveway without consent is trespassing on your property. You can call a licensed tow company to remove the vehicle.
• The tow must be performed by a licensed operator. You cannot hook a chain to the car and drag it yourself. Only a professional tow truck operator with proper equipment and insurance should move the vehicle.
• Document everything. Before the tow, photograph the vehicle, its position, your property boundaries, any signage, and the licence plate. This protects you if the vehicle owner disputes the tow.
• The vehicle owner pays for the tow. When a vehicle is towed from private property for unauthorized parking, the vehicle owner is typically responsible for the towing and storage fees.

🚫 Abandoned Vehicles in Quebec: What to Do

An apparently abandoned vehicle — one that has not moved in weeks, has flat tires, expired registration, or is visibly deteriorating — is a common frustration in Quebec neighbourhoods. Here is how to handle it:

On a public road: Report the vehicle to your municipal bylaw office. In Quebec City, the city will investigate and may tag the vehicle with a notice giving the owner a set period (typically 24 to 72 hours) to move it. If unclaimed, the city orders it towed at the owner’s expense.

On your private property: If someone abandoned a vehicle on your land, document the situation with photos and dates. Attempt to contact the owner if you know who they are. If the vehicle remains after a reasonable effort to contact the owner, you can arrange towing through a licensed operator. For vehicles that are clearly junk and have no registered owner, our scrap car removal service can remove and recycle the vehicle.

On shared or rental property: If a tenant or former tenant left a vehicle behind, document the situation and check your lease terms. Landlords typically need to provide written notice before removing a tenant’s property, including vehicles. Consult with your local municipality or a legal advisor for the specific process.

🅿️ Parking Lot and Commercial Property Towing Rules

Business owners and property managers face parking violations regularly — customers overstaying, non-customers using their lot, and overnight vehicles in timed spaces. The rules for commercial property towing in Quebec are stricter than residential:

• Clear signage must be posted at all entrances — signs must state that unauthorized vehicles will be towed at the owner’s expense, include the towing company’s name and phone number, and be visible 24 hours a day
• Time restrictions must be clearly stated — if parking is limited to 2 hours, the sign must say so. You cannot tow a car that has been there for 3 hours if the sign only says “Customer Parking”
• Handicap parking enforcement — vehicles illegally parked in handicap spots can be towed, but the property owner should typically involve municipal enforcement to issue the ticket first
• Snow removal towing — during winter, property managers may need vehicles moved for plowing. Notice should be provided in advance (24 hours is standard practice), and residents or tenants should be informed of the schedule

If you manage a commercial property and need regular towing enforcement, Quebec Remorquage offers commercial towing contracts with signage guidance and 24/7 response. We help property managers stay compliant with municipal regulations while keeping their lots clear.

❄️ Winter Parking Bans and Towing in Quebec

Quebec municipalities enforce seasonal parking bans to allow snowplows to clear streets — and violators are towed without warning. These rules affect towing Quebec residents deal with every winter:

• Overnight parking bans — Many Quebec City streets prohibit parking overnight (typically 1 AM to 7 AM) from November through April to allow snow removal. Vehicles that violate the ban are ticketed and towed.
• Snow removal operation bans — When the city announces a snow removal operation, affected streets are marked with temporary no-parking signs or flashing lights. Vehicles must be moved within the posted timeframe or they will be towed.
• Where towed vehicles go — Vehicles towed during snow operations are taken to a municipal impound lot. The owner must pay the towing fee and any accumulated storage fees to retrieve it.
• How to find your towed vehicle — Call the Quebec City municipal information line or check the city’s website. They will tell you which lot your vehicle was taken to and the fees owed.

These are not optional rules — Quebec enforces them aggressively during storm events. If your vehicle is towed during a snow ban and you need transport while it is in impound, Quebec Remorquage’s roadside assistance can help with alternate transportation solutions. For winter driving preparation, see our winter survival kit guide.

🛡️ Your Rights If Your Vehicle Is Towed in Quebec

If you come back to find your vehicle has been towed, you have specific rights under Quebec law:

• Right to know where your vehicle was taken — The towing company or municipality must provide the storage location and contact information
• Right to retrieve personal belongings — You can access the vehicle to remove personal items even before paying towing and storage fees
• Right to receive an itemized bill — The towing company must provide a detailed receipt showing the towing charge, per-day storage fee, and any additional charges
• Right to dispute unreasonable charges — If you believe towing or storage fees are excessive, you can file a complaint with the Office de la protection du consommateur (OPC)
• Right to contest the tow itself — If you believe your vehicle was towed illegally (no proper signage, not actually in violation), you can contest the ticket and seek reimbursement for towing and storage fees

Keep every receipt and document every interaction. If a tow was conducted improperly — by an unlicensed operator, without proper authorization, or from a location with inadequate signage — you may have grounds for a refund. For guidance on recognizing reputable operators, read our guide to choosing a reliable towing company in Quebec.

💰 Towing and Impound Costs in Quebec

Whether your vehicle was towed for a parking violation or you are having someone else’s vehicle removed from your property, here are typical towing Quebec costs in 2026:

*Prices are general Quebec City ranges. Municipal rates vary by jurisdiction. Call (418) 476-1522 for exact quotes. For standard towing pricing, see our complete towing cost guide.

Storage fees add up fast. At $30–$50 per day, a vehicle left in impound for a week costs $210–$350 in storage alone — on top of the towing fee and any tickets. Retrieve your vehicle as quickly as possible if it has been towed.

✅ Correct Steps for Every Scenario

Here is a decision guide based on the most common situations Quebec residents face:

🔧 Related Towing Services in Quebec

Whether you need a vehicle removed from your property or your own vehicle towed, Quebec Remorquage covers every scenario:

• Private property vehicle removal — commercial towing for businesses and property managers
• Abandoned junk vehicle? — scrap car removal with cash payment for the vehicle
• Your own car needs a tow? — breakdown towing to your mechanic or home
• After an accident? — accident towing with insurance coordination
• AWD vehicle? — flatbed towing to protect the drivetrain
• Dead battery, flat tire, locked out? — roadside assistance without any membership

All services available 24/7 across the Quebec City service area — Sainte-Foy, Beauport, Charlesbourg, Limoilou.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions