What is a Safety Standards Certificate?
At Car Connect all of our certified used cars come with a full Safety Check aka Safety Standards Certificate; as well as a 35 Day/3000KMs Guarantee on Safety Check Items. We cover 100% parts and labor on any repairs
What is a Safety Standards Certificate? An automotive safety standards certificate, also known as a safety standards certificate or a safety check certificate, is a document issued by the Government of Ontario that certifies that a vehicle meets certain safety standards. These standards are designed to ensure that vehicles are safe to operate on the road and do not pose a risk to the driver, passengers, or other road users.
In Ontario, all vehicles must have a valid safety standards certificate in order to be legally driven on the road. This includes cars, trucks, motorcycles, buses, and trailers. The certificate is required when a vehicle is sold, leased, or transferred to a new owner, as well as when it is imported into the province.
To obtain a safety standards certificate, a vehicle must undergo a safety inspection at an authorized inspection facility. This inspection includes a comprehensive check of the vehicle’s safety-related systems and components, including the brakes, steering, suspension, tires, and lights. The inspection also checks for any visible damage or defects that could affect the safety of the vehicle.
If a vehicle passes the inspection, the inspection facility will issue a safety standards certificate. The certificate is valid for 36 days from the date of the inspection, and the vehicle owner must present it to the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) within this time frame in order to register the vehicle.
If a vehicle fails the inspection, the inspection facility will issue a list of repairs that must be completed before the vehicle can be inspected again. Once the repairs have been made, the vehicle owner can bring the vehicle back to the inspection facility for a re-inspection. If the vehicle passes the re-inspection, a safety standards certificate will be issued.
It is important to note that a safety standards certificate is not a guarantee that a vehicle is completely safe. It only certifies that the vehicle meets the minimum safety standards set by the MTO. It is still the responsibility of the vehicle owner to properly maintain and repair their vehicle to ensure it remains safe to operate.
In addition to the regular safety standards certificate, there are also some specific types of certificates that may be required for certain types of vehicles. For example, commercial vehicles such as buses and large trucks may require a commercial vehicle inspection certificate. Vehicles that have been modified or customized may also require a special vehicle inspection certificate.
Obtaining a safety standards certificate is an important step in the process of owning and operating a vehicle in Ontario. It ensures that vehicles are safe to drive and helps to protect the safety of all road users. If you are planning to buy or sell a vehicle in Ontario, be sure to check that it has a valid safety standards certificate before completing the transaction.