The Department of Transportation and Public Works today announced that changes to fees levied for motor vehicle safety inspections will occur in the new year.
The Department of Transportation and Public Works relies on private sector operators to carry out annual motor vehicle safety inspections at more than 200 licensed stations across the province. Currently, the fees charged for motor vehicle inspections are below the point of cost recovery for mechanic’s time and shop rates. More rigorous inspection procedures to comply with national and international standards have developed over time and have been a factor contributing to the inequity. The situation has prompted calls from stakeholder groups such as the Prince Edward Island Automobile Dealers Association and the Prince Edward Island Gasoline Retailers Association urging for change to the fee structure.
After meeting with industry representatives and listening to their suggestions, an adjustment to the fee structure was approved by government.
“Having a quality motor vehicle inspection system is important to help ensure road safety on Prince Edward Island. The fees charged have not been adjusted since 1993 and fall well short of covering the actual costs to station operators who provide the services. It’s only fair that the correction be made,” said Transportation and Public Works Minister Gail Shea. “By granting the industry’s request for change to the fee structure, we are enabling operators to recover their actual costs for providing these services but, at the same time, we are also setting a maximum for what a shop can charge the vehicle owner for this type of work.”
The fee adjustments approved cover fees charged to owners for vehicle inspections as well as fees charged for licensing stations and mechanics. A backgrounder detailing the new fee structure is attached.
“These fee increases approved for provincial motor vehicle inspections will be welcomed by the industry as the time had come to correct a serious inequity that existed with the present fee structure,” said Wayne Vloet, President of the Prince Edward Island Gasoline Retailers Association.
The adjusted fee schedules for motor vehicle inspections will take effect on January 1, 2006.
BACKGROUNDER
MOTOR VEHICLE INSPECTION FEES
VEHICLE TYPE -- EXISTING FEES -- NEW FEES
Cars and Light Trucks -- $12.00 -- $24.00
Motorcycles -- $ 9.00 -- $24.00
Utility Trailers (No Brakes) -- $ 7.00 -- $18.00
COMMERCIAL VEHICLES (Trucks over 3850 kg) -- MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE TIME BY POSTED SHOP RATE
Commercial Truck -- $15/$20 -- 90 Minutes
Farm Trucks -- $ 9.00 -- 45 Minutes
Commercial Trailers (Air Brakes) -- $12.00 -- 60 Minutes
Commercial Trailers (Hydraulic & Electric Brakes) -- $ 9.00 -- 45 Minutes
Reinspection Fee -- $ 5.00 -- $12.00
ITEM -- PRESENT FEE -- NEW FEE
Station License (New -- $ 10.00 -- $ 150.00
Station License (Yearly Renewal) -- $ 10.00 -- $ 50.00
Mechanic License (First Time) -- $ 10.00 -- $ 100.00
Mechanic License (Reinstatement after 3 Years out of the Program) -- $ 10.00 -- $ 100.00