Finding a car blocking your driveway is enough to ruin anyone’s day. The instinct to call a tow truck immediately is strong, but the laws in the United States and Canada are not always that simple. Whether you can tow the car directly or need to involve local authorities depends on where you live and the circumstances. Here is a detailed look at what you can and cannot do on both sides of the border.
The Situation in the United States
Across most American cities it is illegal for someone to block your driveway. Local ordinances usually classify it as an obstruction of access and police can issue tickets for it. However in many areas homeowners cannot simply call a tow truck on their own. The proper process is to contact local police or the parking authority. Once an officer verifies that the car is blocking your access they can authorize a ticket and arrange for a tow.
Some jurisdictions allow private towing but only if signs are posted that clearly warn drivers that unauthorized vehicles will be removed. In these cases you may call a contracted towing company directly. If you try to tow a vehicle without the proper authorization you could be held liable for damages or accused of wrongful towing.
The Situation in Canada
Canada’s rules are similar but they vary between provinces and municipalities. In almost every city blocking a driveway is a violation of local bylaws. Homeowners usually need to call local bylaw enforcement or the non emergency police line. Once the car is confirmed to be illegally parked an officer can issue a ticket and authorize a tow.
In some provinces the property owner may need to sign a complaint form before a tow can occur. In large cities such as Toronto and Vancouver these calls are common and authorities usually dispatch a city contracted tow company quickly. As with the United States you should not hire a tow truck yourself without authorization because it may lead to legal or financial consequences.
Private Property vs Public Streets
One major distinction is whether the car is physically sitting on your property or blocking access from the public road. If a car is parked directly on your driveway without permission it is usually considered trespassing. In many jurisdictions you may then call a tow company directly. If the car is on a public street but across your driveway access police or parking enforcement must handle the removal.
Fines and Penalties for the Offender
In both countries blocking a driveway comes with fines as well as towing and storage costs. The fines range from about 50 dollars in smaller towns to more than 150 dollars in large cities. Once the car is towed the driver has to pay the towing company to retrieve the vehicle which often adds several hundred dollars.
Examples Across the US and Canada
In Los Angeles California blocking a driveway is a violation that leads to ticketing and towing with fines starting at around 93 dollars plus tow and storage fees. New York City treats it just as seriously. If your driveway is blocked you can call 311 and the police will dispatch an officer to confirm and arrange a tow. In Chicago fines can exceed 150 dollars and towing fees often surpass that amount.
In Toronto Ontario blocking a driveway is a violation under city bylaws and the police or parking authority can tow the vehicle once notified. The fine alone is 150 dollars not including tow and storage. In Vancouver British Columbia the city also enforces these laws strictly with bylaw officers handling most calls and fines typically starting at 100 dollars. Smaller municipalities in Canada often follow the same pattern but may require homeowners to sign a complaint form before action is taken.
The Simple Facts
In both the United States and Canada the law is on the side of the homeowner when a driveway is blocked. But in most cases you cannot just call a tow company on your own without involving local authorities first. Doing so can expose you to liability. The safe and legal process is to report the violation to police or bylaw enforcement who can then issue a ticket and authorize a tow. While the situation is frustrating the rules are designed to protect both property owners and drivers from unnecessary disputes.
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