Safety Fitness Certificates

Since January 2004, all operators of commercial vehicles that have a registered gross vehicle weight of 4,500 kilograms and higher are required to obtain a Safety Fitness Certificate. This also applies to operators of vehicles with a seating capacity of more than 10 passengers, including the driver.

All new operators are required to complete a Safety Fitness Certificate application, providing full disclosure of previous operating names and jurisdictions in which they may have previously conducted business. The applicant will be screened by the department to ensure that there are no outstanding safety sanctions in place in Manitoba or elsewhere. Upon meeting the eligibility criteria, a Safety Fitness Certificate will be issued to the applicant. The applicant will be unable to renew their CT or PSV plated vehicles unless the Safety Fitness Certificate has been issued and is in the applicant’s possession. It must be presented to Manitoba Public Insurance to be issued the plate for the first time or to renew their vehicle plate and registration.

Subsequent annual renewals will correspond with the carrier’s vehicle registration cycle, and will be mailed to operators approximately six weeks prior to expiry. Eligible carriers require only one Safety Fitness Certificate, regardless of fleet size.

Motor Carrier Safety is responsible for monitoring the safety performance of Manitoba base-plated carriers. In conformance with National Safety Code NSC Standard #7, all commercial operators have a carrier profile regarding their operation. Based on the Carrier Profile, a safety fitness rating is assigned, in accordance with NSC Standard # 14.

The enabling legislation for this initiative is the Highway Traffic Act, Section 290 (2.2). It states: a motor carrier shall not operate a commercial truck that has a registered gross vehicle weight of 4,500 kg or more, or permit the commercial truck to be driven on a highway, unless the motor carrier meets the criteria relating to safety fitness prescribed by regulation by the transport board.

The goal of this initiative is to ensure that only the safest operators are granted the privilege of operating on Manitoba’s highways. The beneficiaries of the program are the motor carrier industry and ultimately, all road-users.

For application, view below link:
Safety Fitness Certificate (SFC) Application
Online Safety Fitness Certificate (SFC) Application

For more information on Safety Fitness Certificates contact:
Motor Carrier Safety
Unit C - 1695 Sargent Avenue
Winnipeg MB R3H 0C4
204-945-5322