Release:
The Nova Scotia RCMP and the Nova Scotia Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal are reminding motorists to avoid unnecessary expenses by making sure their vehicle safety inspections are up to date – and legit.
Each year, the Nova Scotia RCMP issues tickets to drivers with expired or fake inspection stickers. Some try to avoid the cost of getting their vehicle safety inspected or use fake stickers when they know their vehicles won’t pass an inspection. Others may not realize that their inspection is fake as they can look very similar. Also, it’s important to know that documents must match and be kept in your vehicle. Not having a proper safety inspection completed on your vehicle and not checking your documents or keeping them with you can not only cost you, it can be dangerous for everyone on the road.
“Some drivers may not know that the inspection certificate must be kept in your vehicle and it should match the MVI sticker number with a clearly written number, inspector name and signature,” says Cpl. Michael Carter with RCMP Traffic Services. “Not having a current certificate in your vehicle can cost you $180 along with the cost of having your vehicle towed.”
Recently, Halifax RCMP Traffic Services New Minas RCMP Traffic Services and Motor Vehicle Inspectors with Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal stopped over 500 vehicles during checkpoints held in Lower Sackville, East Hants and West Hants. As a result, motorists received tickets for the following:
- 3 Operating a Motor Vehicle while Suspended/Revoked
- 5 Failing to Produce Valid Inspection Certificate
- 1 No Insurance
- 9 Re-Inspection Orders – NS Motor Vehicle Inspection Regulations
- 11 Vehicles Towed – Failing to Comply with Vehicle Inspection Regulations
- 5 Vehicle Defect Notices Issued – Failing to Have Non-Expired Inspections
- 1 Prohibited Driver
- 1 Alcohol Screening Breath Sample Demand
“When purchasing a used vehicle, it is a good practice to always have a qualified mechanic check it over to determine if there are any safety issues with it, says Kevin Mitchell, Director of Road Safety with Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal. “There are regulations in place that state that a safety inspection must be completed within the 30 days prior to the sale of the vehicle.”
Road safety continues to be a priority for Nova Scotia RCMP. By ensuring your vehicle is properly inspected, you can have peace of mind that your vehicle is safe and avoid the unnecessary expense of being issued a ticket.