Hands of car mechanic in auto repair service.
If you have moved to Alberta from another province and brought your car with you, you only have 90 days to switch over your vehicle insurance, license, and registration. To obtain your registration, you must first have an out-of-province vehicle inspection performed. The main reasons for out-of-province vehicle inspections are to ensure the vehicle is not unsafe or a potential hazard on the road, and to determine it has not been stolen.
How to Get an Out-Of-Province Vehicle Inspection
First, visit a provincial registry agent and obtain a Request for Vehicle Inspection form.
A certified journeyman technician who is licensed by Alberta Transportation’s Vehicle Inspection Program (VIP) must perform the inspection. You should expect for it to take about two hours and to pay for the time at the inspection station’s posted rate. The station should display signage indicating their fees and the station’s license at their premises.
A salvage vehicle inspection will take longer, typically about four hours.
Vehicle owners who need to have an out-of-province vehicle inspection performed should perform due diligence and compare and contrast rates and reviews.
How to Approach Your Inspector
Before having your car inspected in order to obtain proper registration and vehicle insurance, be sure to discuss the following with the technician:
- The history of repairs to the vehicle
- Any accidents the vehicle has been in
- Length of ownership
- Any existing problems you are aware of
What Will the Inspector Check For?
An out-of-province inspection is extremely comprehensive and evaluates just about every component of the vehicle, including:
- Fuel and exhaust systems
- All electrical mechanisms
- Engine controls
- The powertrain
- The driveline
- Steering
- Suspension
- Braking systems
- Wiring and lights
- Tires
- Glass condition
- Wipers
- Defrosters
To pass the inspection the vehicle must have been maintained in accordance to the original equipment manufacturer’s standards, meaning replaced parts must have been made by companies approved by the original manufacturer. The vehicle should also present within standard wear tolerance levels.
Failed Inspections
In order to bring your vehicle up to provincial safety standards, the inspector may suggest certain repairs be done. Remember, you are under no obligation to have the repairs done at the same place as the inspection, and you also do not have to accept the original inspection’s results. As long as you are still within 90 days of your arrival to Alberta, you may take your vehicle somewhere else for an alternate opinion. You will have to pay for another inspection, however.
If your inspection resulted in required repairs, you have 10 days to have them carried out. Once you do so, you re-inspection will only be for the repairs that have been carried out. You will receive an inspection certificate, which is valid for 14 days, during which you must obtain your Alberta vehicle registration. You will then be able to obtain vehicle insurance.
Your Options for Alberta Vehicle Insurance
As an Alberta insurance brokerage with plenty of experience under our belts, at Lane’s we truly believe brokers are better. We work for you, not the insurance companies, and are skilled at finding the very best policies for the lowest rates possible.
Ways an insurance broker can help you find the right vehicle insurance include:
- We shop around for you. With access to a number of Canada’s most respected insurance providers we are able to compare and contrast policies, assessing the pros and cons of your options at various price points.
- We know what to look for according to the vehicle you own and the coverage you need. It can be tempting to purchase the minimum possible coverage to save some money on your premiums, but this could leave you in a worst-case scenario.
- Discounts, discounts, discounts. We know where to find available discounts provided due to good driving records, occupations, and family circumstances.
- Customer service. Although we are not your vehicle insurance provider, we are here to explain the details of your coverage, offer options at renewal time, and provide support during the claims process.
Count on Lane’s for Trustworthy Vehicle Insurance Coverage
If you’re looking for a competitive quote on your vehicle insurance coverage, you can get one online, fast and free, from the trusted professionals at Lane’s, or else just give us a call for an in-person consultation.
