Keep reading... you will find here everything you need to know about how to do it.
INSTRUCTIONS TO THE PURCHASER
INSTRUCTIONS TO THE SELLER
General :Under the vehicle registration system, the purchaser of any used motor vehicle must apply to the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) within six days of purchase to transfer the permit for the vehicle into his/her name, in either a "fit" or "unfit" condition. If they wish to operate the vehicle on a road, the purchaser will have to get a "fit" permit for the vehicle and to do this he/she will have to provide MTO with proof of the vehicle's safety and road worthiness by means of a valid Safety Standards Certificate (SSC)
Although the purchaser is the person who is required to supply the Ministry with the SSC, there is no reason why the seller may not sell the vehicle certified if they so wish.
A licensed Motor Vehicle inspection Station shall issue an SSC after ensuring a motor vehicle meets the minimum safety standards required by the Highway Traffic Act (HTA), although a motor vehicle inspecting mechanic may still refuse certification due to any modification that could degrade the safety of the vehicle.
Do you want to know what items will be inspected on the vehicle and standards which must be met before a Safety Standards Certificate (SSC) can be issued? Click here
The issuance of an SSC IS NOT A WARRANTY ON THE GENERAL CONDITION OF THE VEHICLE, it merely states that on the date of issuance of the certificate, it met the minimum safety standards as set down by regulations in Ontario's Highway Traffic Act (HTA).
Transfer of vehicles in Ontario is subject to the DriveClean Program. All transfers of vehicles which are five years old or older (begining September 1, 2011 this requirment will be extended to seven years) required a Drive Clean Certificate. To know more about Driveclean testing click here
Who pays for the Drive Clean certificate; The Buyer or the Seller?
Like in the case of the Safety Standard Certificate this is a matter of negotiation and barganing between the two parties.
This information is a guide only. For official purposes, refer to the HTA and regulations.
When the vehicle is Purchased Certified
You will receive from the seller:
NOTICE: It is an offence for any person to add to or make any alterations whatsoever on an SSC. Any such certificate shall be deemed void and will not be accepted by the Licence Issuing Agent
Fill out completely the back of the vehicle portion of the vehicle. This is your application for transfer.
You shall then take these documents together with proof of insurance to any licence issuing agent within 6 days of purchase. You will be issued a new permit for the vehicle and, if you have not have licence plates from a previously owned motor vehicle, a set of new licence number plates will be issued to you at this time.
If you own plates, take also the plate portion of the permit for the licence plates previously issued to you along with the other documents.
Payment of registration and validation fee will be required by the licence issuing agent. Sales tax, if applicable, will be collected at this time.
When the vehicle is Purchased Uncertified
The seller does not provide you with the Safety Standard Certificate.
The seller must provide you with the Used Vehicle Information Package (UVIP)
You shall, within six days of purchase, either obtain an SSC for the vehicle and transfer it as outlined previously or
Transfer the vehicle into your name in an "unfit" status by producing to the licence issuing agent the following:
The licence issuing agent will transfer the motor vehicle into your name in an "unfit" condition.
Before you can operate the motor vehicle on any road, you must obtain an SSC for the vehicle and transfer the vehicle into a "fit" status by the steps previously outlined and affix your validated licence plates to the vehicle
If you operate the motor vehicle within six days of purchase but have been unable to transfer the vehicle into your name for some reason (possibly it was purchased during a weekend), you must have affixed to the vehicle your own validated licence plates. You must carry with you while operating the vehicle, and produce on demand, a valid SSC for the vehicle, the vehicle portion of the permit that was issued for the vehicle and the plate portion of the permit for the licence plates being displayed.
INSTRUCTIONS TO THE SELLER
When Selling the vehicle Certified
At the time of sale remove and keep
Give to the purchaser
NOTICE: It is an offence for any person to add to or make any alterations whatsoever on an SSC. Any such certificate shall be deemed void and will not be accepted by the licence issuing agent.
When Selling the vehicle Uncertified
At the time of sale remove and keep
Give to the purchaser
BASIC INFORMATION ABOUT SAFETY STANDARD CERTIFICATE (SSC)
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 SSC.
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 MVIS where the initial inspection was completed. However, you must return the vehicle to the station for reinspection of the repaired items and issuance of the SSC. In this case, no additional fee will be charged for reinspection providing the wheel brake assemblies do not have to be inspected a second time.
NOTE: THE VEHICLE MUST BE RETURNED TO THE MVIS WITHIN 10 CALENDAR DAYS WITH THE SPECIFIED DEFECTS REPAIRED TO QUALIFY FOR REINSPECTION AT NO CHARGE.
The Highway Traffic Act provides for the revocation of the Inspection Station licence where it can be proven that the station has oversold the amount of repairs required (i.e. forcing repairs or replacement of parts that are worn but still meet the inspection requirements), or where the station has conducted an improper inspection.
The Highway Traffic Act also provides penalties of $50. to $500. for those convicted of performing sub-standard inspections.
Hint: Before you leave the Inspection Garage check out your SSC. Verify that there are not "blank spaces", match the Vehicle Identification Number or V.I.N. (serial number) with the number on your permit, verify year, color and mileage and make sure the Year, Month and Day are correct.
More in depth information about SSC if you click Safety Standard Certificate