Vehicle safety, compliance and oversight

Compliance visits

Compliance visits provide an opportunity for a Vehicle Safety Investigator to make contact with inspection facilities and technicians.

During this visit Investigators will have an opportunity to ensure facilities and technicians are complying with:

• the Facility Operating Manual, vehicle inspection manual(s), program manuals identified in Alberta’s Traffic Safety Act, Alberta’s Vehicle Inspection Regulation (AR 211/2006) and Alberta’s Vehicle Equipment Regulation (AR122/2009)
• record keeping requirements
• equipment requirements
• facility requirements
• inspection requirements.

If there are any vehicles that have been recently inspected, the investigator may view the vehicle to see if there are any apparent defects. Investigators may also recall vehicles previously inspected for re-inspection.

Investigators take the opportunity to discuss issues and answer any questions facility staff or technicians may have regarding the Vehicle Inspection Program.

Random compliance visits are conducted to ensure compliance within the Vehicle Inspection Program.

We may require an investigator to conduct a compliance visit during the course of an investigation to obtain evidence to support any proposed progressive disciplinary actions.

Progressive discipline

The Progressive Intervention and Discipline Policy is used to address issues of non-compliance and ensure an effective vehicle inspection program.

Progressive discipline will be administered against licensed inspection facilities and technicians who have been found to be in violation of the Traffic Safey Act, Vehicle Inspection Regulation, the Facility Operating Manual and the vehicle inspection manual(s) identified in legislation.

Payments

Details on the payment process and contact information are included in the Notice of the Administrative Penalty. Clients may also provide their payment at an Alberta Registry, with an additional fee for service.

Reporting an unsafe vehicle

A vehicle inspection technician or facility does not have legal authority to remove an unsafe vehicle from the road. This responsibility lies solely with a Peace Officer under section 66 of the Traffic Safety Act.

As a certified technician you are obligated to advise a client that their vehicle is unsafe and to provide an explanation for this determination. Some inspection facilities choose to bring a tow truck to their facility and have the vehicle towed to the repair facility of the client's choice.

An additional option would be for you to contact the traffic detachment of your local law enforcement agency and describe your concerns with the vehicle.

If they have an officer available, they may be in a position to direct the vehicle owner to undertake the repairs before the vehicle can be returned to the road.

Contact

Connect with Vehicle Safety Investigations:

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