When your business depends on transporting goods and products on the road, you need your vehicles to function without interruption. If you plan to use a truck or semi-truck for your business, you may need to submit them for CVIP Inspections. These inspections ensure that your vehicle meets the safety requirements to gain status as a commercial vehicle.
This designation is important because there can be legal ramifications if your vehicle doesn’t have this designation. Here is everything you need to know to get your car ready for commercial vehicle inspections.
What are CVIP Inspections?
CVIP stands for Commercial Vehicle Inspection Program. If you plan to use a truck for your business in Canada, your vehicle needs to go through a CVIP inspection.
These inspections ensure that these vehicles are maintained and safe. During the inspection, an authorized inspector will inspect your vehicle. They will check the lights, steering, and much more. It will also ensure the safety of your employee and yourself.
Your truck will need an annual inspection to retain its CVIP status. Some provinces may require an inspection twice a year, depending on the type of vehicle.
The CVIP Checklist
Commercial vehicle inspectors will check your truck to make sure that it is in good working order. This means that you will need to ensure that everything in your truck works before your exam. Inspections can be different between provinces, so your particular inspector may check particular functions of your vehicle.
However, the following are always checked during commercial vehicle inspections:
- Brakes
- Steering
- Suspension
- All Lights
- Electrical system
- Dash including check engine light
- Wheels and tires
- Windshield
- Chassis and frame bolts
- Fifth wheel and hitches
As long as you make sure these things work in your vehicle, you should be ready for your CVIP inspection.
Getting a CVIP Inspection
Facilities, like a repair shop, can obtain the license necessary to perform a CVIP inspection. You can perform a search to find a shop that has a license that is near you and schedule an appointment for your vehicle’s inspection. The inspector will assess your truck or trailer according to your province’s standards to make sure your vehicle works.
If you pass, you will receive a decal with the inspection date on it and papers that detail your vehicle’s inspection. If an inspector sees something that needs to be fixed, they will likely provide an estimate for you.
Why Do I Need an Inspection?
Commercial vehicles need to follow certain specifications. These change depending on the type of vehicle, and owners and drivers of heavy duty trucks have a particular set of rules they need to follow.
The decal lets enforcement agencies know that your vehicle is authorized to function as a commercial vehicle. If you don’t have a decal, trucks that go through weigh stations may have to undergo a roadside inspection. If the vehicle doesn’t pass the inspection, it can be removed from the road.
Certified Heavy-Duty Mechanics
Your vehicle is important to your business. CVIP inspections ensure that your vehicle is authorized to be on the road for your business. Without certification, you may have to go through a roadside inspection, which means time is lost from work.
A regular annual inspection will take stock of your truck’s performance and you can be on your way.
At G Force Diesel, we provide service to heavy-duty trucks and trailers to help keep them in top shape and on the road. We offer CVIP inspections for Saskatchewan and Alberta, as well as stock parts for the repairs. If you need an inspection, or your truck needs a tune-up, schedule an appointment and we will be happy to help.