Annual Safety Inspection - What you need to know

Every year around this time we have a wave of customers visiting us after receiving hefty tickets from the MTO for not having the proper sticker on their vehicle or trailer.
Here are some rules to follow to make sure that you aren't making an unnecessary "donation" to the government.


Class A  License required to tow any tractor trailer or combination of motor vehicle and towed vehicles where the towed vehicles exceed a total gross weight of 4600kgs.


Class G License required to tow any trailer or combination of trailer and towed vehicle with a gross weight of less than 4600kgs.


When a new trailer is purchased the trailer must be registered and owner must pay a one time registration fee for an ownership and license plate for the trailer. Your ownership or a copy of the original should be kept with you at all times while towing the trailer.


Your trailer must be in safe working condition i.e working lights, brakes(if applicable), proper connection to the tow vehicle, no hanging parts.


If your trailer has a gross vehicle weight rating that exceeds 2990lbs then it must have brakes strong enough to stop it. Also the tow vehicle must be equipped with a working brake controller installed at the factory or after market.


Your trailer must have adequate lighting to ensure it is safe for towing at night, this includes:

• A white license plate light
• A red tail light
• Two red reflectors at the rear of the trailer, as far apart as possible

Trailers wider than 80inches must also have

• two yellow clearance lights, one on each side at the front of the trailer to let other drivers know how wide your trailer is
• two red clearance lights or reflectors one on each side of the rear of your trailer to let drivers behind you know how wide your trailer is.

Your trailer must also have fenders or mud guards to prevent from spraying any vehicle behind you.
If the trailer blocks your vision to the rear you must have mirrors that adapt or extend to provide a clear view of the road behind you.


Your trailer must be attached to the towing vehicle in two ways:
1. By the hitch, either bumper, or in bed (gooseneck or fifth wheel)
2. By safety chains crossed underneath the tongue of the trailer and attached to the vehicle so as to catch the trailer tongue if it becomes disconnected from the tow vehicle. The chains must have latches that prevent them from accidentally coming detached.


When loading your trailer everything must be strapped down on the inside and the outside of the trailer. It is an offense to have a load that may become disconnected and fall off.


Trucks, Trailers and Converter dollies alone or in combination with a total gross weight or Gross Vehicle Weight Rating exceeding 4500kgs must have an annual safety inspection performed and yellow sticker applied.
Vehicles that do not require an Annual Inspection include: a recreational vehicle or motor home, a house trailer, devices such as portable welders, cement mixers, farm wagons etc.

Sticker placement for the truck should be on the lower left hand side of the windshield or the side of the truck. Sticker placement for the trailer should be on the drivers side at the front of the trailer where it is easily visible. The sticker should be punched with the month and year that the inspection was completed and is valid until that month the following year. Associated safety inspection paperwork must be kept with the trailer at all times while towing to show the trailer inspection station, date and owner of the truck and trailer.

Along with the safety paperwork a circle check of the vehicle and trailer must be performed before towing and a log book must be filled out.

If there are any other questions about MTO compliance and safety rules do not hesitate to contact us!
1-866-479-1744