May 2, 2002

MTO - Annual Truck and Trailer Safety Inspections

March 19, 2001 (Copyright) Queen's Printer for Ontario, 1999. This is an unofficial version of Government of Ontario legal materials. For accurate reference refer to the official volumes. The Highway Traffic Act and the applicable Regulation "Safety Inspections" may be viewed on the internet at www.e-laws.gov.on.ca

APPLICATION

An annual safety inspection is required;

On a single truck, if its actual weight, registered gross weight or gross vehicle weight rating exceeds 4,500 kilograms (9,920 lbs), or
On both the truck and the towed trailer, if the combination's weight exceeds 4,500 kilograms.

The combination's weight is determined by adding the greater of the truck's actual weight, registered gross weight or gross vehicle weight rating to the greater of the trailer's actual weight or gross vehicle weight rating. An explanation of these terms follows.

"Truck" includes motor vehicles such as pickup trucks, and mini vans and two and four wheel drive sport utility vehicles being used to transport cargo with the vehicle's seats removed, regardless of how the vehicle is plated, e.g. car or truck, including farm truck plates.

"Trailer" includes, but is not limited to, boat, snowmobile, livestock, and general purpose utility trailers.

WEIGHT TERMS:

Actual weight of a truck
Means the physical weight of the truck, when loaded or empty. This includes any weight transmitted to the truck by an attached trailer. The empty weight of a truck may be found on the vehicle portion of the truck's permit (ownership) beside the VEH WT heading and is in kilograms. Note: VEH WT may have been determined prior to the installation of the truck's cargo body, equipment, fuel, etc.
Registered gross weight for a truck
The amount of registered gross weight (RGW) determines the fee paid for the truck's licence plates. RGW is based on, and must be at least equal to the actual weight of the truck and its heaviest load. Generally the weight of a towed trailer and its heaviest load are added to the RGW of the truck. Load includes the driver, passengers, fuel, equipment, tools, etc. A trailer does not have a RGW.

The amount of RGW is located on the right portion (plate portion) of a truck's ownership, to the right of "REG. GROSS WT" and is in kilograms. One kilogram equals 2.204 pounds and one pound equals 0.4536 kilograms.

The weight transmitted to the road by the axle(s) of an attached trailer does not have to be added to the RGW of the truck if the transmitted weight is 2,800 kilograms (6,172 lbs) or less.
Gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) or vehicle weight rating (VWR) of a truck
The vehicle weight rating is the amount stated by the truck manufacturer to be the loaded weight of the single truck. The GVWR or VWR is usually located on the driver's door, driver's door post or in the glove compartment.
Actual weight of a trailer
The amount of weight, loaded or empty that is transmitted to the road by the trailer's axle or axles when the trailer is attached to the truck. Some trailer ownerships may indicate the trailer's empty weight.
Gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) or vehicle weight rating (VWR) for a trailer
The vehicle weight rating is the amount stated by the trailer manufacturer to be the loaded weight of the single trailer. The GVWR or VWR is usually located on the trailer's tongue, frame or body. Some small trailers may not have a gross vehicle weight rating or a vehicle weight rating. In this case the rating would not apply.

Some older trailers may have a plate that states provides the "MAXIMUM CAPACITY" and "EMPTY WEIGHT". In this case, both figures are added together to obtain the vehicle weight rating.

VEHICLES AND TRAILERS THAT DO NOT REQUIRE ANNUAL INSPECTIONS:

Motor homes. A truck while carrying a slide-in camper is a motor home.
Camper trailers and house trailers. A livestock trailer with living accommodations is not a house trailer.
Mobile homes or office trailers wider than 2.6 m (8.6") or longer than 11 m (36 ft).
Trucks that weigh 4,500 kilograms or less while towing camper trailers, house trailers, devices or implements of husbandry such as farm wagons. NOTE: The trailer's tongue weight and the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of an attached house or camper trailer is not added to the weight of the truck when determining the truck's weight.
Trailers that weigh 4,500 kilograms or less while towed by a motor home.

TEMPORARY EXEMPTIONS FOR MOVING AND TOWING:

A truck being towed to a garage does not require a sticker if it weighs 4,500 kilograms or less.
A truck or trailer, regardless of weight, may be driven or towed to a garage to obtain a valid inspection sticker if it is not loaded and is bearing a dealer/service plate that belongs to the garage.
A truck or trailer being moved from a manufacturer with an "In Transit Permit".

Buses, physically-disabled-passenger vehicles and school purpose vehicles are inspected under a separate program. However, if a trailer is being towed by one of these vehicles, the trailer will require an annual inspection if the combined weight of the two vehicles is more than 4,500 kilograms.

An annual inspection can be done by any garage licensed by the Ministry of Transportation to inspect the type of vehicle requiring inspection. When the vehicle passes inspection the garage will place a sticker on the vehicle and provide an inspection certificate. The certificate should be carried in the vehicle when travelling outside Ontario. The inspection is valid in any Province or State for 12 months after the month of inspection.

A vehicle may be operated in Ontario if it is displaying or carrying valid proof of compliance with the inspection requirements of any Canadian jurisdiction or the applicable United States Regulations.

Related articles and infomation on the MTO Commercial Motor Vehicle requirements can be found below:

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