...
Safety fitness certificates
Application
Carriers operating regulated vehicles must meet the safety fitness criteria and hold a valid safety fitness certificate.
A regulated vehicle is defined in the Highway Traffic Act as a commercial truck, a self-propelled public service vehicle, a school bus, or other motor vehicle meeting either, or both, of the following:
- A registered gross weight of 4,500 kilograms or more; or
- A seating capacity of 11 or more people, including the driver.
To obtain a safety fitness certificate, a motor carrier must submit:
- A safety fitness certificate application; and
- Written proof of insurance.
A motor carrier’s safety fitness certificate expires on the last day of the carrier’s registration period. Carriers must concurrently apply to renew the safety certificate when they apply to renew the registration of the public service vehicle or commercial truck it operates.
Motor carriers that operate a public service vehicle, or a regulated vehicle that is not a public service vehicle, must designate a person residing in Manitoba as the person responsible for promoting compliance by the motor carrier and its respective employees with the Highway Traffic Act and associated regulations.
Effective July1, 2025, regulated vehicle operators required to hold a Safety Fitness Certificate under section 312.1 of the Act must ensure:
- Regulated vehicle operators carry a copy of their Safety Fitness Certificate in the vehicle when operating in Manitoba.
- Regulated vehicle markings include the National Safety Code (NSC) number of the registered owner in clause 9(1)(b) of the Regulation.
Safety fitness rating
Manitoba’s carrier safety ratings are satisfactory, satisfactory unaudited, conditional, and unsatisfactory. New carriers in Manitoba are assigned a satisfactory unaudited safety rating. A safety rating change will occur only after audit.
Carrier profiles
The carrier profile contains the carrier’s unique National Safety Code Number, safety rating, conviction/inspection/accident information, and details of the carrier’s insurance.
Accessing the carrier profile
Carriers can access the carrier profile at http://tinyurl.com/MBcarrierprofile. Passwords for the site are assigned by the Motor Carrier Division; call the Carrier Profiles section for a password.
Public access to carrier profiles are available at “C-SNAP,” the Carrier Snapshot (C-SNAP). This site provides information on a carrier’s safety rating, National Safety Code and U.S. DOT numbers, fleet size, insurance coverage, and CVSA inspection results. Visit http://tinyurl.com/MBpublicprofile for access.
Safety reviews
Manitoba conducts Safety Reviews contingent upon Departmental resources.
Facility audits
Facility audits are being carried out in Manitoba to ensure that motor carriers have required safety systems in effect. Manitoba’s Motor Carrier Enforcement Officers (MCEOs) conduct audits on Manitoba-based carriers.
MCEOs analyze carrier practices in driver qualifications, hours of service, vehicle maintenance, dangerous goods, cargo securement, and other safety-related issues.
Carriers may be selected for a facility audit on a random basis, or because of events on the carrier’s safety profile, public complaints, or accidents. Once selected and notified of the audit, carriers are given five to 10 days to prepare their records for audit. If, at the request of the operator of a public service vehicle or a regulated vehicle that is not a public service vehicle, the Minister of Transportation had approved another place for keeping records in Manitoba, the operator must have kept the records at that other place.
If violations were identified in the audit, the MCEOs will create an audit summary (the Summary of Violations) and make an appointment for a carrier interview. The interview is mandatory and is done so that the MCEOs can share the Summary of Violations and the audit results with the carrier. During this time, the carrier can provide evidence refuting the auditor’s reports and audit results, if necessary. The interview time also allows the MCEOs to discuss with the carrier what the carrier will need to do to be in compliance going forward.
After audit, carriers may be required to develop a safety plan, hire a transportation safety consultant, and/or hire a third party to conduct safety audits on a pre-determined schedule. Carriers that do not comply with these requirements may be fined, may have to limit their fleet size, or may have their safety fitness certificate revoked.
Law
Highway Traffic Act, sections 290(7.1), 318.5(1) and (2)
Regulation
Safety Fitness Criteria and Certificates Regulation, 93/2015