The safety standard Certificate is a document designed to protect the consumer by forcing the inspection of a vehicle to be sold, by a competent licenced mechanic. The SSC also ensures that only safe, roadworthy vehicles are on the roads in Ontario.

The following information is a guide for any person, who by reason of purchase or sale of a used motor vehicle, is required to have their passenger vehicle, light commercial vehicle or van inspected to obtain an Safety Standard Certificate (SSC).

The Safety Standard Certificate is valid for 36 days (including Saturdays, Sundays and holidays), day one being the day following the day of the inspection. When certification of a motor vehicle is required, the following should be noted:

The Ministry does not make recommendations regarding the choice of Motor Vehicle Inspection Stations (MVIS) to perform inspections. The choice is yours.

The Ministry does not govern the cost of either inspection or repairs required to bring the vehicle to the standards set down in the regulations. It might, therefore, be beneficial to "shop around" and compare prices.

You are not compelled to have your vehicle repaired at the Motor Vehicle Inspection Stations (MVIS) where the initial inspection was completed. However, you must return the vehicle to the station for re-inspection of the repaired items and issuance of the Safety Standard Certificate (SSC). In this case, no additional fee will be charged for re-inspection providing the wheel brake assemblies do not have to be inspected a second time.