Skip to content

AI search tool

Try our new Search AI tool as an alternative to the search below to improve your experience on Alberta.ca using artificial intelligence. See the AISearch fact sheet for more information.

Popular topics:

Part of Facilities and technicians

Vehicle Inspection Program – Facilities

Resources for facilities applying for and maintaining a vehicle inspection licence in Alberta.

Explore pages in:
Facilities and technicians

Overview

An inspection facility licence is valid for 2 years and allows a facility to complete commercial, out of province, or salvage vehicle inspections.

Applications

Select the appropriate application form below:

Select ‘upgrade’ if you already have an inspection facility licence but need to add a program type (for example, commercial, out of province or salvage) or a vehicle type (for example, automotive, commercial bus or light truck), if you have moved to a new location or if your legal or operating name has changed.

Select "new facility" if you do not have an inspection facility licence or if ownership of a previously licensed inspection facility has changed. An inspection facility licence is not transferable. If you sell or lease your inspection facility to another person or corporation, the new owner(s) will require a new inspection facility licence.

Applicants will need the following:

  • Motor Vehicle Identification Number (MVID)
  • Certificate of Incorporation or Certificate of Amalgamation (if you are a corporation)
  • Alberta Motor Vehicle Industry Council (AMVIC) licence (if required)
  • Safety Fitness Certificate number (if required)
  • Facility Operating Manual
  • valid email address
  • credit card to complete the $250 payment

If you are unable to locate your MVID, contact us.

Application tips

Enter your information correctly. The renewal application attempts to access your inspection facility file, so the information needs to match what is on file for it to be retrieved.

The Find Facility page is punctuation sensitive.

We may have information from a previous inspection facility contact on file. Try using their email and see if that works. Inspection facility contact information and email addresses can be changed when you complete the application.

If you continue to have problems, you can either complete a new inspection facility application (we will ensure you keep your inspection facility number) or contact a Vehicle Inspection Program Licensing Analyst.

Types of inspection facilities

There are 3 types of inspection facilities:

  1. Carrier Open – authorized to inspect vehicles owned by any company or person.
  2. Carrier Limited – authorized to only inspect vehicles registered in the name of the inspection facility.
  3. Non-Carrier – authorized to inspect vehicles registered to other corporations or individuals.

Facility licence requirements

There are numerous requirements relating to the premises and equipment for the operation of an inspection facility.

The inspection facility must be equipped as required under section 39(1)(c) of the Vehicle Inspection Regulation and section 9 of the Facility Operating Manual (FOM) for the types of vehicles your inspection facility will be licensed to inspect.

  • Inspection Facility Operating Manual

    The purpose of the FOM is to provide inspection facilities with one source guidance for:

    • regulatory requirements of the Vehicle Inspection Regulation (AR 211/2006)
    • how to conduct a vehicle inspection
    • issuing a vehicle inspection record of inspection and certificate
    • facilities Code of Practice

    An inspection facility that fails to comply with the FOM may be subject to discipline, such as licence suspension, administrative penalty (fine) or revocation of the inspection facility licence.

    All inspection facilities completing inspections in the Vehicle Inspection Program are required to obtain and follow the FOM. It is available for download on the Vehicle Inspection Program – Manuals page.

  • Inspection facility pre-licensing verification

    All new and renewing inspection facilities must pass a pre-licensing verification.

    The Facility Operating Manual, the Ready for Pre-Licensing Verification Checklist and the Vehicle Inspection Regulation (AR 211/206) outline the requirements for equipment and premises that a Vehicle Inspection Specialist will verify during the pre-licensing verification process. To prepare, ensure you comply with the requirements and have all records ready.

    Once you submit your inspection facility application, we will ask you to confirm your readiness for pre-licensing verification. You have 120 days to respond. If you don’t respond within 120 days, the application is voided, and the application fee is non-refundable.

    Pre-licensing verification may occur at any time during our regular business hours of 8:15 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday. Verification will typically occur within 30 days of your confirmation of readiness, and may be conducted either in-person or virtually.

    If there are any concerns during the pre-licensing verification, you will receive a follow-up email advising you of what you must do to complete the verification. You have 120 days to respond. If you don’t respond within 120 days, the application is voided, and the fee is non-refundable.

    Once you pass an inspection facility pre-licensing verification, your inspection facility licence will be issued in 3 to 5 days by email to the primary inspection facility contact you provided on your application.

  • Facility audit

    After a facility receives an inspection licence and begins conducting vehicle inspections, an investigator, at the direction of the Registrar may, without prior notice, during a facility’s business hours, enter and audit the inspection facility to determine whether the inspection facility is complying with the Vehicle Inspection Regulation and the FOM.

    An inspection facility audit may also be required to add new programs or vehicle types or if the inspection facility’s location changes. An inspection facility audit typically occurs within 90 days of a request for a change to an existing licence.

  • Alberta Motor Vehicle Industry Council (AMVIC) licence

    All inspection facilities completing inspections on vehicles not registered to their company are required to display a licence from the Alberta Motor Vehicle Industry Council (AMVIC). Inspection facilities that are ‘Carrier Limited’ or inspection facilities inspecting only trailers or motorcycles are not required to have an AMVIC licence for the purpose of the vehicle inspection.

    Carrier Open or inspection facilities inspecting vehicles not owned by the owning company require a Garage Licence for Commercial, Salvage and Out of Province Inspections.

    Salvage Inspections require an Autobody Licence in addition to a Garage Licence. More information on types of AMVIC Licences can be found at Automotive repair activities – AMVIC.

    Application forms for this licence are available on the AMVIC website. For additional information, contact AMVIC directly at [email protected] or by calling 1-877-979-8100.

    If your AMVIC licence is expired, suspended, or revoked, report this immediately to us and stop performing vehicle inspections or issuing certificates under the Vehicle Inspection Program.

Inspection facility licence

The inspection facility must display the licence and posted shop rates, if applicable, where they are visible to the public. If requested, the inspection facility must provide a copy of the terms and conditions of the licence to the public.

Licensed inspection facilities are required to maintain the necessary tools and documentation as outlined in the Vehicle Inspection Regulation and FOM at all times.

Inspection facilities that are not in compliance will be subject to discipline, such as licence suspension or administrative penalty (fine). For more information on our progressive discipline policy, refer to our Progressive Discipline Program or Vehicle safety, compliance and oversight.

  • Inspection facility location

    An inspection facility licence is issued for a particular location. If you move your inspeciton facility to another location, you will need to complete an inspection facility upgrade application. Ensure you change the address within the application.

    If you expand your inspection facility in its current location, you do not need a new inspection facility licence as the current one will remain in effect.

    If you move the shop within the existing premises where you conduct inspections, a new inspection facility licence is not required. You can commence the inspection of vehicles under the Vehicle Inspection Program in the new space.

  • Replacement licence

    If the inspection facility licence is missing, damaged, or destroyed, report it to us by email at [email protected] and request a reprint. Once you have received a replacement, cut up the original and display the new one.

  • Licence transfer

    An inspection facility licence is not transferable. If you sell, lease or dispose of your inspection facility to another person or corporation, you cannot transfer the inspection facility licence to the other person or corporation.

  • Sample service agreements

Contact

Connect with the Vehicle Inspection Program:

Phone: 780-427-8901
Toll free: 310-0000 before the phone number (in Alberta)
Email: [email protected]

Address:
Vehicle Inspection Program
Room 109
Main Floor, Twin Atria Building
4999 98 Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta T6B 2X3

Previous Safety, compliance and oversight
Next Technicians