Back in July 2016, the Ontario government changed the regulations for vehicle safety checks to be much more stringent. New rules stipulate exactly how thick the brake pads and rotors must be, how much tire tread must be remaining, etc. I have access to a shop in Cambridge and I can complete safety checks under the new Digital Safety Rules and complete any repairs needed to remedy issues required for your vehicle to pass a safety check. I can issue a Safety Standard Certificate (SSC) which is needed to obtain licence plates for the vehicle.
I charge $160 for this service for cars and light-duty vans and trucks. Commercial vehicles are charged an extra fee. As part of this service I will complete all of the required digital documentation and perform a road test.
A safety check takes about an hour and a half to complete. Be vary wary of shops that charge less than $160. In most cases these shops use the safety check as a 'loss-leader' to get you in the door so that they can charge you inflated prices on work that you may not even need done.
In Ontario, a Safety Standards Certificate (SSC) is required in the following circumstances:
Only a licensed mechanic with specialized training in digital safety certificates is allowed to issue a Safety Standards Certificate. I have completed this training for both light duty and commercial vehicles.
An inspection covers:
Once issued, the SSC is valid for 36 days. If the vehicle isn't registered within this period, a new inspection is necessary.
For commercial vehicles, additional safety inspections are mandated:
Annual Inspections: Required for most trucks, trailers, and converter dollies with a gross weight over 4,500 kilograms, as well as tow trucks, concrete pumps, and mobile cranes.
Semi-Annual Inspections: Necessary for vehicles seating ten or more passengers, including buses and large passenger vans.