Motor Vehicle Inspection Stations - Frequently Asked Questions
- Who can sign a safety standard, structural inspection, annual inspection and semi-annual inspection certificate?
- I am certifying a commercial motor vehicle and issuing a safety standards certificate. Do I have to issue an annual inspection sticker?
- Can I sign an inspection certificate if the inspection was completed by another mechanic?
- I have run out of certificates or stickers. Can I borrow or purchase these from another station until my order is processed?
- A client came to me stating they have damaged their certificate or sticker. Is there anything I can do?
- Is the ministry changing the inspection requirements/criteria?
- (Updated February 12, 2016) When do I need to remove a wheel or drum when completing a safety inspection as per the National Safety Code Standard 11B (NSC 11B)?
- I have sent the MVIS Unit my list of registered mechanics. Can they start right away?
- Can an apprentice be registered as inspecting mechanic?
- (Updated September 28, 2015) Why is the Ministry updating the light duty/passenger vehicle inspection standard?
- Why has the formatting of the standard changed so much?
- When will the new standard become effective?
- Will there be an educational period?
- How will the Ministry be informing the station owners and technicians of the new requirements?
- What new tools will be required?
- Is this standard going to cost consumers more money?
Who can sign a safety standard, structural inspection, annual inspection and semi-annual inspection certificate?
When a vehicle meets the minimum criteria for mechanical fitness, the mechanic signs the inspection certificate as the registered inspecting mechanic and the Licensee or someone authorized on the List of Signing Authorities (PDF - 1.03 MB) form may sign as the ‘Licensee’.
I am certifying a commercial motor vehicle and issuing a safety standards certificate. Do I have to issue an annual inspection sticker
Yes, when issuing a safety standards certificate for a commercial motor vehicle in the required weight class you also have to issue an annual inspection certificate, sticker and report and affix the sticker to the vehicle.
Can I sign an inspection certificate if the inspection was completed by another mechanic?
No. They can only be signed by the registered inspecting mechanic, after the inspecting mechanic completes the inspection and determines that the vehicle meets the minimum requirements for mechanical fitness.
I have run out of certificates or stickers. Can I borrow or purchase these from another station until my order is processed?
No. Each of the above documents has a serial number that has been assigned to each individual station. The ministry does not allow stations to sell, share or transfer certificates and stickers between stations even if a Licensee has more than one station licence/permission.
A client came to me stating they have damaged their certificate or sticker. Is there anything I can do?
Safety standards, structural inspection, annual and semi-annual inspection certificates and stickers may be replaced if the original is damaged or destroyed. The replacement may only be made by the MVIS that issued the original. The following conditions must be met:
- The replacement certificate or sticker must contain the same information as the original; and
- You must add the phrase "REPLACEMENT to certificate # XXXX" or "REPLACEMENT" TO STICKER # XXXX on the station copy of the new Safety Standards, Structural Inspection, Annual and Semi-Annual Inspection Certificates.
Is the ministry changing the inspection requirements/criteria?
Yes. In January 2015 the ministry adopted an updated version of the National Safety Code Standard 11B “Periodic Commercial Motor Vehicle Inspections”. This standard outlines new inspection criteria for trucks, trailers, buses, accessible vehicles and school purposes vehicles.
The ministry is currently updating the passenger/light duty vehicle inspection standard. Stations and mechanics/technicians should continue to inspect vehicles to the current standard using Schedules 1 and 2 found in Ontario Regulation 611 until the effective date of the new standard. The Ministry will notify all Licensees of the new standard, and its effective date, once it has been approved.
When do I need to remove a wheel or drum when completing a safety inspection as per the National Safety Code Standard 11B (NSC 11B)?
NSC 11B there are 5 types of brake inspections:
Three Types of Inspection for Drum Brakes
- Full Inspection with Drum Removed: This is a detailed inspection of all internal brake components. Measurements of the drum diameter and brake lining thickness must be taken and recorded on the Inspection Report.
- Wheel-on Full Inspection: This is an inspection of the internal brake components and is only available for cam-type drum brakes with removable dust shields. Measurements of drum diameter and brake lining thickness must be taken and recorded on the Inspection Report.
- Limited-Inspection of Drum Brake: This is an inspection through inspection holes and is only available with the proper and valid Proof of Brake Inspection (see below). Measurements of the brake lining thickness of one brake shoe must be taken and recorded on the Inspection Report.
Two Types of Inspection for Disc Brakes
- Full Inspection with Wheel(s) Removed: This is a detailed inspection of all internal brake components. Measurements of the rotor thickness and pad friction material thickness must be taken and recorded on the Inspection Report.
- Limited Inspection of Disc Brakes: This is an inspection of visually accessible brake components and only allowed with the proper and valid Proof of Brake Inspection (see below). Measurements of one brake pad must be taken and recorded on the Inspection Report.
When to Remove the Wheel and Drum
- There are three types of brake inspections where the wheel or drum does not have to be removed. (Brake inspections B, C and E)
- There are two types of brake inspections where the wheel and or drum have to be removed every time. (Brake inspections A and D)
During Wheel-on Inspections, the Wheel and Drum Need to be Removed if:
- Any of the required measurements cannot be taken with the wheel and or drum in place.
- Any defect is found on a brake, the list of defective conditions that requires wheel removal are listed in Section 3:A.2 (page 74) of the NSC standard.
Proof of Brake Inspections
A limited brake inspection can only be used if the operator provides a valid and proper documentation indicating a full brake inspection with drum and wheel removed (inspection type A or D above) was conducted by a qualified technician registered at a MVIS. This can be completed during a brake overhaul or any type of brake work where the wheel is removed. All of the information listed in Section 3.C (page 78) of the NSC standard must be on a Proof of Brake Inspection Report. The report can cover one, several or all the brakes on a vehicle. A report is valid for 19 months for a drum brake and 7 months for a disc brake.
Semi-Annual Inspections in Ontario
In Ontario, buses, accessible vehicles and school purposes vehicles require semi-annual inspections. During a semi-annual inspection, none of the internal brake components require inspection and no measurements are required. As a result, the Limited Brake Inspection does not apply to a bus.
I have sent the MVIS Unit my list of registered mechanics. Can they start right away?
No. The inspection station must wait for the list of registered mechanics/technicians to be returned to the station confirming successful registration. It is possible that the registration could be denied. Please allow 4 to 6 weeks to process the registration.
Can an apprentice be registered as inspecting mechanic?
No. You must hold a Journeyman certificate from the Ontario College of Trades to be licensed to conduct MVIS inspections.
Updated September 28, 2015
Why is the Ministry updating the light duty/passenger vehicle inspection standard?
Technology has changed significantly since the standard was first implemented. Now, new safety related technology, such as air bags and electronic stability control, are standard equipment on vehicles.
Road safety is the ministry’s top priority - it is imperative that the ministry inspection standard for passenger vehicles keeps current with safety innovations.
Why has the formatting of the standard changed so much?
The new format is similar to National Safety Code 11, Part B, Periodic Commercial Motor Vehicle Inspections (NSC 11B). This revised format is:
- User-friendly
- More consistent for stations that use both standards
- Allows for a more detailed and clear inspection process for technicians and station owners
- Better communicates results to the public.
When will the new standard become effective?
The effective date for the new standard is July 1, 2016.
Will there be an educational period?
Yes. Stations and technicians will have approximately 10 months to prepare for the new standard from the time of initial notification until the effective date.
How will the Ministry be informing the station owners and technicians of the new requirements?
The Ministry is planning to hold in-person information sessions across the province for station owners and technicians during the education period. The details for those sessions will be available in the coming months.
What new tools will be required?
The only new tool required is a tint meter. The cost of acquiring any new tools is the responsibility of the station/technician.
Is this standard going to cost consumers more money?
The cost of a Safety Standards Certificate (SSC) inspection is determined by the inspecting station and is market-driven. The Ministry does not regulate those charges.
The SSC inspection is intended to be a visual inspection only and is a requirement for transfer of ownership/registration. The inspection is completed to ensure the vehicle meets a minimum set of safety standards. If those standards are met, an SSC can be issued. It is not an indicator of vehicle performance and is not a warranty on the quality of a vehicle.
If the vehicle fails the inspection, it is up to the consumer to decide if the repairs required to pass the inspection are made.
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