Minister Whalen clarifies Vehicle Inspection Program issues

The Minister of Government Services and Lands, Dianne Whelan, today clarified issues which have arisen in the media respecting the vehicle inspection program.

Minister Whalen noted that annual inspections are still mandatory for all commercial trucks and trailers and taxis, while all school and public buses require inspections every six months. In addition to inspections conducted by official inspection stations, highway enforcement staff of the Motor Registration Division have conducted another 1,000 inspections of trucks and trailers so far this year and have also inspected every school bus and public bus in the province at least once. Commercial vehicles are required by law to carry proof of safety inspections at all times. Since 1994, passenger vehicles no longer require mandatory annual inspections, but they do require inspection upon transfer of ownership to protect the consumer. Highway Enforcement staff also inspect light passenger vehicles when obvious defects are detected when operating on the road.

"It is important to note," said Minister Whalen, "that the tractor trailer stopped at Goobies was required by law to receive an annual safety inspection. Given the poor condition of the vehicle, staff are investigating the circumstances which saw an inspection slip being granted to the trailer just last month and to the truck only a few months ago.

"If the law has been broken in this instance, I will support severe penalties. The law cannot prevent every violation, but we intend to deal severely with these inspection station operators who do not follow the appropriate government regulations."

A service station industry group has recently called for bonding of mechanics as a means of enhancing the current inspection program. The minister stated that she has asked officials to review the matter, but pointed out that the Official Inspection Station Regulations under the Highway Traffic Act already impose responsibilities on the station operator and the individual mechanic who must sign the inspection slip. "Both the operator and the individual mechanic already face fines and suspensions," the minister noted. "It is the mechanic�s signature which gives authority to the inspection certificate and there are already serious penalties for violating the law."

Under current regulations, violations by the mechanic or station operator can result in fines up to $2,400, with up to six months in jail in default of paying the fine. As well, there is a mandatory nine month suspension for a first offense and a mandatory permanent suspension for a second offense.

"The law respecting vehicle inspections is clear," the minister stated, "as are the penalties for breaking the law. We will continue to investigate those inspection stations which we have reason to believe are breaking the law and we will prosecute them to the fullest extent possible."

Media contact: Tom Beckett, Deputy Registrar of Motor Vehicles, (709) 729-2520

2003 11 26                                        1:55 p.m.