Should You Move Your Car Before a Snow Removal Visit?

4 min read · Thames Valley Snow, London, Ontario

When a snow removal crew is scheduled to clear your driveway or parking lot in London, Ontario, one of the most common questions we hear is whether you need to move your vehicle first.

In most cases, yes. A parked car in the driveway blocks the plow or shovel crew from clearing the full surface, which means you end up with a patch of packed snow and ice right where your tires used to be. For homeowners, this usually means pulling the car onto the street or into a garage before your scheduled visit time.

Commercial properties face a bigger challenge since multiple vehicles need to move for a parking lot to be cleared properly. Many businesses in London ask employees to park in a designated area during storms, or schedule snow removal for early morning or after hours when the lot is empty.

If a car can't be moved in time, most crews will do their best to clear around it, but that leaves an uneven surface that can refreeze into a hazard. Clear communication about timing helps avoid this every time.

Why a Parked Car Causes Problems

A car sitting in the driveway does more than block one patch of pavement. The plow or shovel has to work around it, which leaves ridges of snow along the tires and bumpers. When the car finally moves, it drives over that loose snow and packs it down into ruts. Overnight, those ruts freeze hard and become the slipperiest part of the driveway.

Snow also tends to drift against a parked vehicle. Even a light dusting can build up along one side, and that drift ends up on the driveway once the car leaves. On a narrow single driveway, a car parked in the middle can leave almost nothing for the crew to clear.

How Automatic Clearing Changes Things

With a Thames Valley Snow seasonal plan, there is no appointment to wait for. Your driveway is cleared automatically every snowfall of 5 cm or more, from December 1 to March 31. Crews come back during long storms, and the City windrow at the end of your driveway is cleared too.

Because visits follow the snow, the simplest habit is to park where the crew can work around you easily. If you have a garage, use it during storms. If you have a long driveway, park near the house rather than in the middle. That way, most of the surface can be cleared even if you are not home.

After every visit, you get a timestamped photo. If you see that your car blocked part of the driveway, you know which areas to sweep off and when to watch for refreezing.

Tips for Households With More Than One Car

• Agree on which car leaves first in the morning and park it closest to the street.
• Keep the area in front of the garage clear so a second vehicle can tuck in.
• Avoid parking on the street during snow events, since City plows need room to work.
• Ask about priority early-morning clearing ($125 plus HST) if everyone needs to leave early.

Commercial Lots and Parked Vehicles

For businesses, the bigger the lot, the more a few parked cars matter. Clearing works best when staff park in one agreed zone during storms, so the rest of the lot can be cleared in full. Commercial snow removal is priced per site within two business days, based on how your lot is used.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I cannot move my car in time?

The crew clears around it. Once you move the car, shovel the leftover patch quickly before it freezes, or consider seasonal salt ($175 plus HST), which includes freezing rain and refreeze visits.

Will the crew damage my car?

Crews work carefully around parked vehicles. Moving the car when you can is still the best way to get a clean driveway.

Ready to stop worrying about the next storm? Get a free quote, or call or text (548) 888-8702. You can also read more about how our service works and priority clearing.

What's included… and what's extra

A Thames Valley Snow seasonal residential plan starts from $650 for a standard driveway. It covers clearing the driveway every time snowfall reaches the trigger depth in your agreement, plus the windrow the city plow leaves at the end of the driveway. Larger driveways are priced on our snow removal prices page.

Popular add-ons, priced per season: walkway and steps $150–175, salting $175, priority service $125, pet-safe salt $120, driveway extension $95 and city sidewalk clearing $90. Add only what your property needs; everything is listed on the quote so there are no surprises. Get your fixed price or call or text (548) 888-8702.