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Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations (C.R.C., c. 1038)

Regulations are current to 2024-03-06 and last amended on 2023-11-08. Previous Versions

Vehicles Manufactured in Stages

Incomplete Vehicle Manufacturer’s Document

  •  (1) An incomplete vehicle manufacturer shall, at or before the time of delivery of an incomplete vehicle, provide to the intermediate manufacturer, the final-stage manufacturer or other purchaser, as the case may be, an incomplete vehicle document that contains the following information:

    • (a) the name and mailing address of the incomplete vehicle manufacturer;

    • (b) the month and year the incomplete vehicle manufacturer performed its last manufacturing operation on the incomplete vehicle;

    • (c) the vehicle identification number;

    • (d) the GVWR, expressed in kilograms, intended for the vehicle when it is a completed vehicle;

    • (e) the GAWR, expressed in kilograms, intended for each axle of the vehicle when it is a completed vehicle, listed in order from front to rear, except that the GAWR for consecutive axles that have identical GAWRs when equipped with tires that have the same designated tire size may be stated once followed by the words “each” and “chacun”;

    • (f) a list of the types of vehicles referred to in paragraph 6(1)(f) into which the incomplete vehicle is designed to be manufactured; and

    • (g) the numbers of the prescribed standards that apply, at the date specified in paragraph (b), in respect of each type of vehicle listed, followed in each case by one or more of the following statements, as applicable:

      • (i) a statement that the completed vehicle will conform to the standard if no alterations are made to the components of the incomplete vehicle that are identified by the incomplete vehicle manufacturer (for example, CMVSS 104 — This vehicle, when completed, will conform to Standard 104, Windshield Wiping and Washing System, if no alterations are made to the windshield or the windshield wiping and washing system),

      • (ii) a statement that the completed vehicle will conform to the standard if the vehicle is manufactured in accordance with the conditions specified by the incomplete vehicle manufacturer (for example, CMVSS 121 — This vehicle, when completed, will conform to Standard 121, Air Brake Systems, if it does not exceed any of the GAWRs, if the centre of gravity at GVWR is not higher than 2.75 m above the ground and if no alterations are made in any brake system component), and

      • (iii) a statement that conformity to the standard cannot be determined based upon the components that are fitted on the incomplete vehicle and that the incomplete vehicle manufacturer makes no representation as to conformity with the standard.

  • (2) The document shall be kept in a weather-resistant container that is attached to the vehicle in a conspicuous and readily accessible location, or it may be sent directly to an intermediate manufacturer, a final-stage manufacturer or other purchaser, as the case may be.

  • SOR/2002-55, s. 5

Incomplete Vehicle Manufacturer’s Information Label

  •  (1) Every incomplete vehicle manufacturer shall apply to every incomplete vehicle it manufactures an information label that displays the following:

    • (a) a statement, in both official languages, that the vehicle is an incomplete vehicle;

    • (b) the name of the incomplete vehicle manufacturer;

    • (c) the month and year the incomplete vehicle manufacturer performed its last manufacturing operation on the incomplete vehicle;

    • (d) the vehicle identification number;

    • (e) the GVWR intended for the vehicle when it is a completed vehicle, expressed in kilograms, clearly identified by the words “Gross Vehicle Weight Rating” and “Poids nominal brut du véhicule” or the abbreviations “GVWR” and “PNBV”;

    • (f) the GAWR, expressed in kilograms, intended for each axle of the vehicle when it is a completed vehicle, listed in order from front to rear and clearly identified by the words “Gross Axle Weight Ratings” and “Poids nominal brut sur l’essieu” or the abbreviations “GAWR” and “PNBE”, except that

      • (i) the GAWR for consecutive axles that have identical GAWRs when equipped with tires that have the same designated tire size may be stated once followed by the words “each” and “chacun”, and

      • (ii) the information need not appear on the label if it is set out on the vehicle placard or the tire inflation pressure label referred to in section S4.3 of Technical Standards Document No. 110, Tire Selection and Rims for Motor Vehicles With a GVWR of 4,536 kg or Less, or on the tire information label referred to in section S5.3(b) of Technical Standards Document No. 120, Tire Selection and Rims for Motor Vehicles With a GVWR of More Than 4,536 kg; and

    • (g) in the case of a vehicle manufactured in Canada for sale in Canada, a drawing of at least 20 mm in diameter depicting the national safety mark set out in Schedule I and showing in its centre, in figures of at least 2 mm in height, the authorization number assigned by the Minister to the company under section 3.

  • (2) Subject to subsection (3), the information label shall be applied

    • (a) to the hinge pillar, door latch post or the door edge that meets the door latch post next to the driver’s seating position;

    • (b) to the left side of the instrument panel or the inward-facing surface of the door next to the driver’s seating position, if it is impracticable to apply the label in accordance with paragraph (a); or

    • (c) to a conspicuous and readily accessible location, if it is impracticable to apply the label in accordance with paragraph (a) or (b) or if the vehicle does not have the components described in paragraph (a) or (b).

  • (3) In the case of a stripped or cowl chassis, the information label may be applied to a conspicuous and readily accessible location on the steering column.

  • (4) The drawing referred to in paragraph (1)(g) may be displayed on a label applied to the vehicle beside the incomplete vehicle manufacturer’s information label.

  • SOR/2002-55, s. 5
  • SOR/2005-342, s. 2
  • SOR/2008-258, s. 4

Intermediate Manufacturer’s Document

  •  (1) Every intermediate manufacturer of an incomplete vehicle shall, at or before the time of delivery of the incomplete vehicle to the subsequent manufacturer, provide to the subsequent manufacturer, in the manner specified in subsection 6.1(2), the incomplete vehicle document that was provided by the previous manufacturer.

  • (2) An intermediate manufacturer shall, before complying with subsection (1), make an addendum to the incomplete vehicle document that contains the following information:

    • (a) its name and mailing address;

    • (b) a clear and precise description of all the changes it has made to the incomplete vehicle; and

    • (c) if any of the changes affect the validity of a statement made by the incomplete vehicle manufacturer in accordance with paragraph 6.1(1)(g), an indication of the amendments that must be made to those statements to reflect the changes made by the intermediate manufacturer.

  • SOR/2002-55, s. 5

Intermediate Manufacturer’s Information Label

  •  (1) Subject to subsection (3), an intermediate manufacturer shall apply to every incomplete vehicle, beside the information label of the previous manufacturer, an information label that displays the following information:

    • (a) a statement, in both official languages, that the vehicle is an incomplete vehicle;

    • (b) the name of the intermediate manufacturer;

    • (c) a statement, in both official languages, that the company is an intermediate manufacturer;

    • (d) the month and year in which the intermediate manufacturer performed its last manufacturing operation on the incomplete vehicle; and

    • (e) in the case of a vehicle manufactured in Canada for sale in Canada, a drawing of at least 20 mm in diameter depicting the national safety mark set out in Schedule I and showing in its centre, in figures of at least 2 mm in height, the authorization number assigned by the Minister to the company under section 3.

  • (2) The drawing referred to in paragraph (1)(e) may be displayed on a label applied to the vehicle beside the intermediate manufacturer’s information label.

  • (3) If the information label applied to an incomplete vehicle by the previous manufacturer is not in a location described in paragraph 6.2(2)(a) or (b),

    • (a) the information label shall be applied in a location specified in paragraph 6.2(2)(a) or (b), or in a conspicuous and readily accessible location if it is impracticable to conform to paragraph 6.2(2)(a) or (b); and

    • (b) subject to subsection (4), the information label shall display the GVWR and GAWRs set out on the label applied by the previous manufacturer.

  • (4) If an intermediate manufacturer increases the GVWR or the GAWRs above those referred to in paragraphs 6.1(1)(d) and (e), the intermediate manufacturer shall ensure that the new ratings are displayed on that intermediate manufacturer’s information label and

    • (a) are increased in accordance with the written recommendations of the incomplete vehicle manufacturer or, if applicable, of another previous manufacturer; or

    • (b) are within the load-carrying capacity of the vehicle’s components when the vehicle is loaded for its intended use as a completed vehicle.

  • SOR/2002-55, s. 5

Final-stage Manufacturer’s Document

  •  (1) A final-stage manufacturer shall make an addendum to the incomplete vehicle document that contains the following information:

    • (a) its name and mailing address; and

    • (b) a clear and precise description of all the changes that it has made to the incomplete vehicle.

  • (2) The final-stage manufacturer shall retain and make available to the Minister, on request, the incomplete vehicle documentation referred to in subsection (1) and sections 6.1 and 6.3, for a period of no less than five years after the date manufacturing operations on the vehicle are completed by the final-stage manufacturer.

  • SOR/2002-55, s. 5

Final-stage Manufacturer’s Compliance Label

  •  (1) Every final-stage manufacturer shall choose a date of manufacture for a completed vehicle that may be no earlier than the date specified by the incomplete vehicle manufacturer on its information label but no later than the date manufacturing operations on the vehicle are completed by the final-stage manufacturer and shall

    • (a) complete the incomplete vehicle in such a manner that the completed vehicle conforms to the standards prescribed for a completed vehicle of that prescribed class as of the date chosen by the final-stage manufacturer; and

    • (b) apply to the completed vehicle a compliance label in accordance with section 6, except that

      • (i) the date of manufacture referred to in paragraph 6(1)(b) is the date of manufacture chosen by the final-stage manufacturer, and

      • (ii) subject to subsection (2), the GVWR and GAWRs shall be those set out on the label applied by the previous manufacturer.

  • (2) If a final-stage manufacturer increases the GVWR or the GAWRs above those referred to in paragraphs 6.1(1)(d) and (e) and subsection 6.4(4) or new ratings have been displayed on an intermediate manufacturer’s information label, the final-stage manufacturer shall ensure that the new ratings are displayed on the compliance label for the completed vehicle and

    • (a) are increased in accordance with the written recommendations of the incomplete vehicle manufacturer or, if applicable, of another previous manufacturer; or

    • (b) are within the load-carrying capacity of the vehicle’s components when the vehicle is loaded for its intended use as a completed vehicle.

 All the labels applied to a vehicle under sections 6, 6.2, 6.4 and 6.6 shall

  • (a) be permanently attached to the vehicle;

  • (b) be resistant to or protected against any weather condition to which the label may be exposed;

  • (c) have lettering that is

    • (i) clear and indelible,

    • (ii) indented, embossed or in a colour that contrasts with the background colour of the label, and

    • (iii) in block capitals and numerals not less than 2 mm in height; and

  • (d) have metric units identified by the appropriate name or symbol.

  • SOR/82-482, s. 5
  • SOR/95-147, s. 2
  • SOR/2002-55, s. 6

 [Repealed, SOR/2002-55, s. 7]

Altered Vehicle

  •  (1) If a company alters a vehicle, other than an incomplete vehicle or a truck tractor not fitted with a fifth wheel coupling, that was in conformity with these Regulations in such a manner that its stated GVWR and GAWR are no longer accurate, or if the company alters the vehicle otherwise than by the addition, substitution or removal of readily attachable components such as mirrors or tire and rim assemblies or by minor finishing operations, the company shall

    • (a) ensure that the compliance label and information label, if applicable, remain on the vehicle;

    • (a.1) respect the gross axle weight ratings and gross vehicle weight rating of the vehicle recommended by the original manufacturer or, where the company increases the ratings, ensure that they are

      • (i) increased in accordance with the original manufacturer’s written recommendations, or

      • (ii) within the load-carrying capacity of the vehicle’s components when the altered vehicle is loaded for its intended use;

    • (b) ensure that the vehicle conforms to the standards referred to in subsection 5(2), in respect of the work carried out by the company to alter the vehicle; and

    • (c) subject to subsection (2), apply to the vehicle an additional label displaying

      • (i) the words “THIS VEHICLE WAS ALTERED BY / CE VÉHICLE A ÉTÉ MODIFIÉ PAR” or “ALTERED BY / MODIFIÉ PAR” followed by the name of the company that altered the vehicle,

      • (ii) the month and year during which the alteration of the vehicle was completed,

      • (iii) the drawing referred to in paragraph 6(1)(c),

      • (iv) in accordance with paragraph 6(1)(e), the new gross vehicle weight rating and gross axle weight ratings of the vehicle as altered, where they differ from those shown on the original compliance label,

      • (v) in accordance with paragraph 6(1)(f), the type of vehicle, where it differs from the type shown on the original compliance label, and

      • (vi) in the case of a multi-purpose passenger vehicle or bus manufactured from a cutaway chassis, a motor home or a recreational trailer, the information referred to in subsection 6(8).

  • (2) The drawing referred to in paragraph (1)(c) may be displayed on a label applied to the vehicle beside the compliance label.

  • (3) In the case of a motor home or a recreational trailer, the information referred to in subparagraph (1)(c)(vi) may be displayed on a separate label applied to the vehicle beside the compliance label or in a conspicuous or readily accessible location.

  • SOR/90-805, s. 2
  • SOR/91-425, s. 3
  • SOR/92-173, ss. 2, 5
  • SOR/95-147, s. 2
  • SOR/98-125, s. 5
  • SOR/2002-55, s. 8
  • SOR/2006-94, s. 4(E)
  • SOR/2018-143-2, s. 3

Records

  •  (1) A company shall maintain — for each vehicle to which it applies the national safety mark or that it imports into Canada — the records referred to in paragraph 5(1)(g) of the Act and retain those records, in paper form or in readily readable electronic form, for a period of at least five years after the day on which the vehicle is manufactured or imported.

  • (2) If the records referred to in subsection (1) are maintained by a person on behalf of a company, the company shall keep the name and address of that person.

  • (3) On request in writing from an inspector, a company shall send to that inspector a copy, in either official language, of the records referred to in subsection (1) within

    • (a) 30 working days after the mailing of the request; or

    • (b) where the records must be translated, 45 working days after the mailing of the request.

  • SOR/79-940, s. 3
  • SOR/87-450, s. 1
  • SOR/88-536, s. 1
  • SOR/95-147, s. 2
  • SOR/98-524, s. 2
  • SOR/2008-104, s. 2
  • SOR/2009-32, s. 1
  • SOR/2013-117, s. 2
  • SOR/2019-253, s. 1
 

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