Public Safety

There are about 1,500 inspection stations in the province, with many that do more than one type of inspection.

All passenger cars and trucks require an annual inspection. Taxis and buses are inspected twice a year. Regular inspections encourage vehicle safety by checking key equipment such as brakes and steering, so that critical maintenance issues may be addressed.

The cost of an inspection for a passenger vehicle is $25.

The cost of an inspection for a commercial vehicle varies, depending on the weight of the vehicle.

To qualify for an inspection station licence (under Regulation 83-185 of the Motor Vehicle Act), a facility must have:

1. 15 metres in length, if equipped with headlamp aim testing screen;
2. 20 metres in length, if it is equipped with a headlamp aim testing screen where the vehicle to be tested is a bus or commercial vehicle with an unladen curb mass of 3500 kilograms or more;
3. 7.5 metres in length, if it is equipped with a headlamp testing machine or a mechanical headlamp aimer; or
4. 12.5 metres in length, if it is equipped with a headlamp testing machine or a mechanical headlamp aimer where the vehicle to be tested is a bus or commercial vehicle with an unladen curb mass of 3500 kilograms or more;

Listed below are the parts of a vehicle that should be inspected by the mechanic during an inspection on a passenger vehicle:

1. The body, and seat belt assemblies
2. The windshield and windows
3. The horn
4. The windshield wipers
5. The rear-view mirror
6. The lighting systems
7. The exhaust system
8. The brake system
9. The steering system
10. The suspension system
11. The wheels and tires
12. The coupling system

Listed below are the areas of a vehicle that are inspected by a mechanic during an inspection on a Bus, Truck and/or Tractor Trailer vehicles:

1. Power Train
2. Suspension
3. Hydraulic Brakes
4. Air Brakes
5. Steering
6. Instruments and Auxiliary Equipment (i.e. Windshield wipers)
7. Lamps
8. Electric System
9. Body
10. Tire and Wheels
11. Couplers and Hitches

There are five Public Safety Inspection Officers assigned to the inspection program throughout the province. They are located in Fredericton, Grand Falls, Bathurst, Moncton and Saint John. Their role is to ensure that all inspection stations meet the criteria to be licensed, and to respond to complaints.

Licensed mechanics follow a manual called the Official Vehicle Inspection Station Manual Mechanic's Guide to ensure that all inspection standards are clear and understood. The manual describes inspection procedures and identifies when various elements of the program require rejection of the vehicle.

Licensed mechanics follow a manual called the Periodic Commercial Motor Vehicle Inspections to ensure that all inspection standards are clear and understood for heavy commercial vehicles such as buses, trucks and tractor trailers.

Displaying a fraudulent or stolen inspection sticker is a violation of the Motor Vehicle Act, Section 250(4). An individual doing so would be subject to a fine of $292, and depending on the circumstances, police may lay additional charges under the Criminal Code of Canada related to theft or fraud, which would result in more serious penalties.

Under section 247 of the Motor Vehicle Act, a police officer can order that a vehicle be inspected.

247(1) a peace officer may at any time order the driver of a vehicle to stop and to submit the vehicle to a spot inspection.

247(2) if the vehicle is found to be in an unsafe condition, or if any equipment required under the Act is missing or damaged, the peace officer may order in writing the registered owner or driver to cause

1. the vehicle or equipment to be required as directed in the order, and
2. the vehicle to be presented at a place and time for further inspection by a person mentioned in the order.

247(3) The peace officer shall forthwith mail a copy of the order to the Registrar.

The rejection sticker issued by garages extends the period of inspection to 14 days, but does not exempt the owner of the vehicle from equipment violations, such as faulty lights, during that period. The intent is to provide time to make repairs and have the vehicle re-inspected (at no extra cost).

The rejection sticker does not indicate the vehicle is safe, and does not exempt a driver from penalties if the vehicle is in a state of disrepair that jeopardizes safety. (See Motor Vehicle Act, Section 206)

A complaint can be made by contacting the Motor Vehicle Branch within the Department of Public Safety at 506-453-2410 or by filling out an inspection station complaint form. All complaints are investigated by Motor Vehicle Inspection Officers, and appropriate action is taken.