A Safety Standards Certificate (SSC) confirms your vehicle meets the minimum safety requirements set by the Ministry of Transportation. You need one to put plates on most vehicles after a private sale, an out-of-province registration, or a rebuild.
Tell us your situation and we will let you know if you need a Safety Standards Certificate.
When You Need a Safety Standards Certificate
A Safety Standards Certificate is required in four specific situations. If your situation is not on this list, you probably do not need one.
Transferring vehicle ownership to anyone other than your spouse (private sale, gift to a non-spouse family member, etc.)
Registering a vehicle from another province, territory, or country when you bring it to Ontario
Registering a rebuilt salvage vehicle (vehicles previously written off due to collision, fire, flood, or theft)
Changing a vehicle's status from unfit to fit (a vehicle previously marked as unfit needs an inspection before it can return to the road)
Transferring a vehicle between spouses
Registering a used motorized snow vehicle (snowmobile)
Registering an off-road vehicle (ATV, dirt bike, etc.)
Registering a motor-assisted bicycle (moped)
Registering a trailer
Buying from an OMVIC-registered used car dealership (the dealer handles this for you)
Renewing your existing licence plate (no SSC needed)
What the Inspection Covers
The inspection follows the Passenger/Light-Duty Vehicle Inspection Standard. Inspectors check the parts of your vehicle that affect safety. They do not inspect cosmetic issues unless those issues compromise safety.
Fuel lines, fuel tank, exhaust system, muffler, and emissions components.
🪟 Body & Frame
Frame integrity, severe rust, doors that latch securely, windshield (cracks above a certain size will fail).
🪑 Seatbelts & Interior
Seatbelt operation, interior mirrors, exterior mirrors, sun visors, and dashboard warning lights.
🔗 Coupling Devices
For trailers and tow vehicles, the hitch, safety chains, and electrical connection are inspected.
Surface rust, small dents, and minor scratches do not fail an inspection. Cracks in the windshield only fail if they are in the wiper area and exceed specific size thresholds (50mm long for line cracks, 13mm wide for star chips).
Cost and Validity
The Ontario government does not regulate inspection fees. Every shop sets its own price, so you can save money by calling around for quotes.
Passenger vehicle (most cars and SUVs)Pricing varies by shop and location$80 to $150
Trucks and larger vehiclesMore components to inspect$120 to $200+
Re-inspection after repairsSome shops include this in the original feeFree to $50
The certificate is valid for 36 calendar days from the inspection date. If you do not register the vehicle within those 36 days, the certificate expires and you will need to pay for a new inspection. Plan accordingly if you are not ready to register immediately.
An annual or semi-annual commercial vehicle inspection issued by a DriveON centre can also be used as an SSC, but only for 36 days after that inspection.
Where to Get One
Only DriveON Vehicle Inspection Centres licensed by the Ministry of Transportation can issue a Safety Standards Certificate. Most independent mechanics and chain auto shops have this licence.
How to find one:
• Look for the Motor Vehicle Inspection Station (MVIS) sign at the shop
• Call the DriveON Contact Centre at 1-833-420-2103
• Call ServiceOntario at 1-800-387-3445 for help finding a licensed station
Call 2 or 3 shops to compare prices. Some shops also offer pre-inspection consultations where they look at your vehicle informally and tell you what would fail. This can save you money if you fix issues yourself before the formal inspection.
If Your Vehicle Fails
If your vehicle does not pass, the inspector will give you a written report listing every issue that needs to be fixed. You have a few options:
1Have the same shop fix the issues. They can do the repairs and re-inspect, often without charging another full inspection fee.
2Take the report and get the repairs done elsewhere. You can shop around for repair quotes. Once the repairs are complete, return to the original inspector or any licensed station for a re-inspection.
3Decide not to repair. If the repairs are too expensive, you can sell the vehicle as-is to someone who will repair it themselves, or scrap it.
The inspector cannot issue a certificate until every safety issue is resolved. They are not allowed to overlook items in exchange for an extra payment, and doing so is illegal.
Common Misconceptions
A Safety Standards Certificate confirms the vehicle met the minimum safety requirements on the day it was inspected. It is not:
A warranty or guarantee that the vehicle will not have problems
An assessment of the vehicle's overall condition or value
A check for hidden damage, accident history, or mechanical wear that does not affect immediate safety
The same as a pre-purchase inspection (PPI), which is a more thorough mechanical evaluation
If you are buying a used vehicle, consider getting a separate pre-purchase inspection from a mechanic of your choice in addition to the SSC. A PPI typically costs $150 to $250 and digs much deeper than a safety inspection.
Verifying a Certificate
As of 2024, all Safety Standards Certificates in Ontario are issued and stored digitally through the DriveON portal. There are no more handwritten paper certificates. If you are buying a used vehicle and the seller claims to have a recent SSC, you can verify it online.
Visit the public DriveON portal and search by Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). The system will show whether a valid certificate exists for that vehicle and which licensed station issued it. This protects buyers from fraudulent or altered paper certificates.
Yes. The certificate is tied to the vehicle, not the owner. A buyer can get the SSC themselves, the seller can provide one, or someone else acting on your behalf can take the vehicle for inspection.
Does the SSC transfer with the vehicle? +
Yes, but only for 36 days from the inspection date. If you sell a vehicle and provide a recent SSC, the buyer can use that same certificate to register it, as long as they do so within the 36-day window.
What if I am buying a vehicle from another province? +
A safety inspection from another province is not accepted in Ontario. You need a fresh SSC from an Ontario-licensed inspection station before you can put plates on the vehicle.
Do I need an SSC every year? +
No. Personal passenger vehicles do not require annual safety inspections. You only need an SSC at the specific moments listed above (transfer, out-of-province registration, salvage rebuild, status change). Heavy commercial vehicles have separate annual inspection requirements.
Will my insurance company require an SSC? +
Most insurance companies do not require an SSC to write a policy. However, if you are insuring a vehicle you just bought, the insurance company will need to see proof that it is registered in your name, which requires an SSC.
