An Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) Safety Standards Certificate (SSC) is a document that certifies a vehicle's fitness. You can buy and register a vehicle without a safety certificate, but you cannot put your own plates on the vehicle or drive it without one. Any inspection station in Ontario licensed by the Ministry of Transportation can issue a Safety Standards Certificate, provided your vehicle passes an inspection.
A Safety Standards Certificate is valid for 36 days after the inspection. However, the certificate is not a guarantee or warranty that the vehicle will stay fit for any period.
What is a Safety Standard Certificate (SSC)?
An SSC is a certificate that is issued by a government- approved Motor Vehicle Inspection Station (MVIS) after a vehicle passes an inspection. This inspection covers the minimum safety requirements for vehicles in the province of Ontario.
When do I require an SSC?
An SSC is required when:
- registering a rebuilt motor vehicle;
- transferring a used motor vehicle to a new owner as fit;
- registering a motor vehicle in Ontario that was previously registered in another province or country;
- changing the status of a vehicle from unfit to fit.
Is an SSC a warranty on my vehicle purchase?
An SSC is not a warranty or guarantee on the general condition of the vehicle. The SSC only certifies that on the date it was issued, the vehicle met the minimum safety standards as set down by Regulation 611 of Ontario's Highway Traffic Act (HTA).
How long is an SSC valid for?
For the purposes of transferring ownership, an SSC is valid for 36 days from the day that the SSC was issued.
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