With the most recent announcement shared with UCDA Members by way of our Dealer Alert on Sept. 3rd, the finish line for the full transition from the old way of doing safety inspections to the new digital safety across Ontario is fast approaching. Many stations have already completed the transition, and the last remaining entrants are light-duty only safety inspection stations. By the end of 2024 everyone will be doing safeties on the Ministry of Transportation new digital platform.

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Enrolment into DriveON opened on September 3, 2024, for current MVIS facilities that only conduct light-duty/passenger vehicle inspections and they can now apply through the DriveON portal at www.driveonportal.com.

Facilities whose applications are approved by the ministry will be onboarded and allowed to purchase the necessary equipment through the DriveON portal.

To ensure MVIS facilities receive their DriveON equipment prior to the ending of the MVIS program on December 31, 2024, it is strongly recommended they complete the enrolment process and purchase equipment prior to November 1, 2024.

Complimentary Inspection Tablet for Light-Duty Facilities

To help support the industry, the ministry will be providing one complimentary inspection tablet to all currently licensed MVIS facilities whose applications have been approved to DriveON during the purchase of the initial equipment package.

MVIS facilities that only conduct light-duty/passenger vehicle inspections will be eligible to receive one complimentary inspection tablet if onboarded to DriveON before December 31, 2024.

If MVIS facilities don’t apply to DriveON by December 31, 2024, they will no longer be able to conduct light-duty/passenger vehicle inspections under the MVIS program. These facilities will have to wait until the next phase of onboarding occurring after December 31, 2024, to apply and will not be eligible to receive a complimentary inspection tablet.

• The last day of processing orders for safety standards certificates is October 31, 2024. Stations can order a maximum of 10 books per order. Towards the end of the MVIS program, the amount of safety books allowed to be ordered will decrease.
• It is strongly recommended that you complete the enrolment process and purchase equipment before November 1, 2024, to ensure that your MVIS facility receives your DriveON equipment before the MVIS program ends on December 31, 2024.

In Other News

Technicians Entering the DriveON Program Must:

• Have a valid Certificate of Qualification with Skilled Trades Ontario that is active and for which all fees have been paid. This information can be verified by calling 1-855-299-0028 or going online and checking the public registry for status through Skilled Trades Ontario at www.skilledtradesontario.ca.
• Register as a technician on the DriveON portal.
• Complete the mandatory online training available on the portal, which is free of charge and available 24/7.

MVIS facility owners and technicians are encouraged to review the Program Enrolment Package and begin collecting the required documents for their DriveON application. The Program Enrolment Package can be found on the DriveON portal at www.driveonportal.com.

If you have any questions about the new DriveON program, please contact the Vehicle Inspection Centre Assistance Line toll free at 1-833-420-2110 or by email at [email protected].

Annual and Semi-annual Certificates Transition Period Extension

• Annual and semi-annual certificates can no longer be ordered.
• Ontario Regulation 170/22: Vehicle Inspection Centers states that MVIS stations are to stop issuing or affixing annual or semi-annual stickers after July 31, 2024.
• Heavy-duty stations that have received their DriveON equipment are authorized and required to complete all inspections on the DriveON tablets. These stations are not to complete any heavy-duty or light-duty inspections on paper certificates/stickers.
• However, MTO provided an educational transition period to help existing MVIS stations enter the DriveON program, and to reduce the burden on the industry. During this transition period, existing MVIS stations may continue to issue annual and semi-annual stickers and certificates. MTO is extending the transition period one more time from August 31, 2024, to September 30, 2024.
• MVIS stations who have not yet transitioned to the new program may continue to issue annual and semi-annual stickers and certificates until September 30, 2024.
• Heavy-duty stations must submit their DriveON applications by September 30, 2024, to qualify for a complimentary tablet.

Refunds

All unused MVIS certificates and stickers must be returned to MTO. Stations that have joined DriveON and have received their equipment, are required by legislation to return all unused MVIS books and certificates. If stations use MVIS certificates, they can face charges and their enrolment into the new DriveON program may be revoked or refused.

 To qualify for refunds:

• unused forms of annual inspection and semi-annual inspection certificates and stickers must be returned by October 31, 2024. Heavy-duty stations must also return unused safety standards certificates by October 31, 2024.
• unused safety standards certificates must be returned by January 31, 2025.

Refunds will not be provided if unused annual inspection and semi-annual inspection forms and stickers are returned beyond these dates.

Further questions or concerns about refunds may be directed to the MVIS program via telephone at 1-800-387-7736, via Fax at 905-704-2574, or via email at [email protected]