If you drive for Uber or Lyft in Ontario, you need a valid Safety Standards Certificate (SSC) — an official inspection proving your vehicle meets provincial safety standards. Both platforms require it, it has to be issued by a mechanic licensed by the Ontario Ministry of Transportation, and you get 36 days from the inspection to upload it to your driver app. At Best Deals Auto in Etobicoke, we do rideshare safety inspections same day — often within an hour — for $129, and hand you the certificate you upload to the app.
Here’s everything you need to know before you book.
Key Takeaways
Uber and Lyft both require an Ontario Safety Standards Certificate, renewed annually.
It must be issued by an MTO-licensed Motor Vehicle Inspection Station (MVIS).
You have 36 days from the inspection to upload it to your app.
The inspection covers brakes, steering, suspension, tires, lights, and body condition.
At Best Deals Auto (Etobicoke, MVIS #19984), it’s $129, same day.
What Is an Ontario Safety Standards Certificate?
A Safety Standards Certificate (SSC) is an official document confirming that, on the day it was inspected, your vehicle met the minimum safety standards set out in Regulation 611 of Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act. It doesn’t guarantee your car is problem-free forever — it certifies that it was roadworthy at the time of inspection.
Only a Motor Vehicle Inspection Station (MVIS) licensed by the Ontario Ministry of Transportation can issue one. Best Deals Auto is a licensed MVIS (facility #19984) in Etobicoke. You’ll typically need an SSC when you:
Register a used vehicle after buying it
Transfer ownership to someone other than your spouse
Register a vehicle brought in from another province or country
Sign up for — or renew — driving for a rideshare platform like Uber or Lyft
Do You Need a Safety Standards Certificate to Drive for Uber or Lyft?
Yes. To drive for Uber or Lyft in Ontario, your vehicle must pass an annual safety inspection and receive a Safety Standards Certificate issued by an MTO-licensed mechanic. You then upload a photo of the certificate to your Uber or Lyft driver app.
Both platforms require the inspection to be renewed every year, so it isn’t a one-time task — plan to get re-inspected annually to keep driving without interruption.
How Much Does a Safety Standards Certificate Cost?
At Best Deals Auto, an Uber/Lyft or Service Ontario Safety Standards Certificate is $129, plus a $10 certificate-issuance fee if your vehicle passes, plus HST. If your car needs a minor repair to pass, we tell you the cost up front and get your approval before doing any work — no surprises.
Prices vary between shops across the GTA. Be cautious of very low “safety” prices that don’t include the repairs often needed to actually pass — a cheap inspection isn’t a deal if you’re sent elsewhere for the fixes. Because we’re a full-service repair shop, we can handle both the inspection and any repairs in one visit.
How Long Is a Safety Standards Certificate Valid?
An Ontario Safety Standards Certificate is valid for 36 calendar days from the date of inspection. For rideshare drivers, that means you have 36 days to upload it to your Uber or Lyft app after the inspection. Wait longer than 36 days and the certificate expires — you’ll need a new inspection.
So don’t get inspected weeks before you plan to submit it. Time your inspection close to when you’ll upload it to the app.
What Gets Inspected?
The Ontario safety inspection is a thorough check of the systems that keep you and your passengers safe. It includes:
Brakes — pads, rotors, lines, and braking performance
Steering and suspension
Tires and wheels
Lights and signals
Windshield, wipers, and mirrors
Seatbelts
Body and frame condition (major defects or damage)
If any of these fail, the vehicle won’t pass until the issue is repaired. Since we’re a full-service shop, we can usually fix minor problems the same day so you don’t have to book a second appointment somewhere else.
How to Get Your Safety Certificate in Etobicoke — Same Day
Getting your rideshare safety certificate at Best Deals Auto is simple:
Bring your vehicle in — appointments are preferred, but walk-ins are welcome.
We inspect it (usually within an hour) and, if anything needs fixing to pass, quote it up front.
You drive out with your signed Safety Standards Certificate, ready to upload to your Uber or Lyft app.
We’re an MTO-licensed inspection station (MVIS #19984) at 60 Brydon Drive #1, Etobicoke, and a partner shop for both Uber and Lyft — serving rideshare drivers across Etobicoke, Rexdale, and the west GTA. Book your safety inspection in Etobicoke or call today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a safety certificate to drive for Uber in Ontario?
Yes. Uber requires an annual safety inspection and a Safety Standards Certificate issued by an MTO-licensed mechanic, uploaded to your Uber driver app within 36 days of the inspection.
How much is a safety certificate for Uber or Lyft?
At Best Deals Auto in Etobicoke it’s $129, plus a $10 issuance fee if your vehicle passes, plus HST. Any repairs needed to pass are quoted and approved before we start.
How long is an Ontario safety certificate valid?
36 calendar days from the date of inspection. You need to upload it to your rideshare app within that window, or the certificate expires and you’ll need a new inspection.
Where can I get a safety standards certificate near me in Etobicoke?
Best Deals Auto is a licensed MVIS (facility #19984) at 60 Brydon Drive #1, Etobicoke, doing Uber, Lyft, and Service Ontario safety certificates same day — usually within an hour.
What happens if my car fails the safety inspection?
The certificate can only be issued once the vehicle meets the standard. If something fails, we’ll tell you exactly what’s needed and the cost, and — because we’re a full repair shop — we can usually fix it the same day and issue your certificate without a second trip.
Does Canadian Tire do safety standards certificates?
Many chains and independent shops offer them, but wait times and pricing vary. Best Deals Auto specializes in same-day rideshare and transfer certificates at a flat, transparent $129, with repairs handled in-house if your vehicle needs them to pass.
It is usually a very stressful and traumatic experience to be involved in an auto collision and finding the best auto body shop is the best way to relieve that feeling of hopelessness. Having your car fixed back into its original state prior to the accident with a proper auto body repair and car painting job is a step back to normalcy and feeling comfortable in your wheels again. A professional auto body repair translates to a happy driver so you can get back to your life.
Best Deals Auto is indeed the best auto body shop in Etobicoke boasting 24 years in business and 16 years at the same Etobicoke location. From routine scratches or dents to serious auto body repairs, we are Toronto’s most reliable choice for an independent auto body shop.
We offer affordable options for independent auto body repairs or deal directly with your insurance company for insurance claims. For most accidents, we can also waive your deductible up to $1000, depending on the claim which is great for no out of pocket expenses to cause you extra anxiety. We like to put our clients at ease knowing they have come to the best auto body shop in the GTA.
Nowadays, most drivers that get into a little fender bender repair their vehicles privately I..e. most claims under $1500 are usually settled privately. For most scratches, dents, or bumpers or fender repairs, we offer affordable auto body repair solutions to get you back on the road. We source aftermarket parts at reasonable rates and offer professional car painting with our computer paint match system to get you the exact precise paint colour according to the VIN number, paint code and year, make and model of the car you drive. This way, it’s an exact match and will perfectly blend so the car is a uniform colour. Our body men have a 310B licence and are car painting experts. If in doubt, we also have a computer paint gun tool that we point to your colour car, and it can exact paint match according to the computer system to ensure the utmost precision in car painting expertise.
Sometimes, we can do the auto body repairs without replacing parts and can fix existing panels to save you money. In some cases, we can also try to source used parts if you request us to do so. We can also help parties involved in a collision who decide to settle privately sign a waiver (provided by Best Deals Auto), recognized by legal courts to be signed to say all parties agree to a settlement which is recognized in court.
Our body shop has seasoned workers that take pride in their auto body repairs and car painting to ensure seamless results and happy clients. We offer complete customer satisfaction and warranty on our workmanship for all our services.
We also do frame repairs, car straightening, custom car painting for classics etc. and rust repairs.
Prior to doing any auto body repairs, we will give you a full written estimate and have you sign and agree prior to performing any repairs. This way both parties have a firm understanding of what we are going to do and are happy with the end results and there is no mis-communication. Best Deals Auto believes in complete transparency and educating our customers keeps them feeling informed and comfortable with all our services and prices.
We have state of the art equipment and keep our workers on top of their game by offering continuing education and keeping them up to date on all techniques of the auto body repair trade. Best Deals Auto abides by all environmental regulations and rules and is a proud member of safety first program in auto body repairs.
Dealing with the best auto body shop in Etobicoke will leave you feeling safe that your family can once again be comfortable in driving their loved vehicle. We have thousands of satisfied customers and you can see that in our Facebook and twitter and Google Reviews. We have been voted best auto body shop in Etobicoke and won the Readers Choice award 3 years in a row. Come to Best Deals Auto and you will be absolutely glad you did. Referrals and Repeats are the best compliments our customers can give and they are the reason why we are absolutely the best auto body repair and car painting centre in Etobicoke.
Drivers sometimes forget that the weather plays an important role in tire pressure. If your tire is leaking, most people jump to the conclusion that its an under inflated tire or there is a nail or puncture in the tire.
However, in the winter, when the temperature falls, air contracts as the molecules that make up the air compress and squish closer together and this reduced volume results tires to lose air and hence lose pressure. Now everybody knows that underinflated tires are not good. Therefore, it’s a good idea to check your tire pressure at least once a month during November to March especially and its also good practise to carry this out all through the year as it only takes seconds to check your pressure at the local gas station.
Drivers usually understand the importance of regular maintenance, and tires deserve just as much attention as that regular oil change !
Unfortunately, sometimes we forget about tires but we shouldn’t for the following reasons !
SAFETY:
Underinflated tires can affect steering and handling in winter conditions on wet or slick roads. They can also increase braking distances which isn’t good in an emergency stop situation ! Also, over inflated or under inflated tires can cause irregular wear meaning your tires won’t last as long as they normally should costing you time and money ! Blowouts can also happen if you are not driving with the correct tire pressure for your particular vehicle……………….also not a good thing !
SAVINGS:
Gas ain’t cheap, even with the oil price lows…………………..Canadians spend an average of $60 per week on gas……………….and vehicles with underinflated tires get poorer gas milage than their counterparts. Also if you can imagine, a tire with lower pressure than it should have will have more surface contact with the road increasing rolling resistance and friction on the road. You can waste hundreds of dollars a year when driving with under inflated tires……………………..save your money……………….check your tires ! We all work too hard to just throw money away unnecessarily when there are simply a few minutes we can spare to avoid that expense !
Newer cars come equipped with tire pressure monitor systems which cause a light on the dashboard to come on, making you aware to check the tire pressure. It kind of looks like a triangle with an exclamation mark on it in most vehicles. This helps to remind you but if your car doesn’t have this, just make a mental note to check your tires at least monthly !
To achieve proper tire pressure, you can look in your owner’s manual to check the proper inflation pressure recommended for your specific make and model car. Sometimes, you can even find it located on the drivers side door jamb also.
Most gas stations, have a manual tire pressure machine you can use for free or a nominal 50 cents charge!
Or if you prefer, come by to Best Deals Auto and we can usually check your tire pressure for you for a nominal charge or for free if its with any associated work
HOW DO YOU CHECK YOUR TIRE PRESSURE WITH A MANUAL GAUGE ?
Remove the cap from the tire valve
Insert the gauge measurement stick completely inside the tire gauge.
Firmly and quickly place the open end of the gauge over the tire valve stem.
The measurement stick will pop out and you can read the number on the far right of the stick which is your tire pressure measured in PSI or pounds per square inch.
If you prefer you can repeat this a couple of times to ensure an accurate reading.
Repeat this process for all 4 tires …………………….and don’t forget about the spare…………its good to check the spare yearly but necessarilyevery time it its unused.
Anita Gulati, and Ricky Balroop, who owns and operates Best Deals Auto in Toronto (Etobicoke), says that one way to tackle doubt from customers regarding repairs or services to their cars, is by using photographs to email them, or showing the customer what is wrong with the car and what is required to repair it. It is often very hard to explain something to a customer, but when a customer actually sees the car on the hoist and sees the brakes worn, its a completely different matter.
Best Deals Auto values taking the time to explain to the customer what is wrong, especially when it comes to vehicle maintenance, electronic repairs and spending money on their car. In many cases, clients do not have the knowledge beforehand, and are not prepared for the news. Seeing is believing and when they can actually see the issues with their car, they are more appreciative.
Best Deals Auto stands out above the crowd because their business model is that the single most important element for customer retention is communication with their customers. Obviously trained technicians who can handle the repairs are required, but success is customer service and how comfortable the clients feel for the valuation of the work and honesty of service.
When drivers go to refuel at the gas station, it takes about 2-3 minutes to refuel the average car. Its quite a quick process. Recharging an electric car at a charging station specifically designed for this purpose takes about 25 to 45 minutes, which seems unreasonable for most people.
The concept of an electric car is good, but the consumer market has not welcomed electric cars whole-heartedly just yet. The most essential requirements for electric car ownership have not been met such as user-friendly charging infrastructure and to do so will take time………some predict 20-30 years at best.
The electric auto industry is still struggling to make batteries more efficient and cheaper and are developing elaborate second-life programs for batteries to make them more affordable as currently some cost upwards of $5000-10000 each.
The most elemental challenge with electric cars is the recharging and lack of infrastructure across North America…………there is a gas station at virtually every corner but you don’t find too many charging stations presently !
Although manufacturers are leaning towards increasing electric or hybrid car production over the next 5-7 years, the transition phase from combustion engines to full hybrid has a far way to come to persuade the change-over…………….the government needs to invest much more in the way of making electric cars more convenient to own.
For now, traditional cars that need traditional mechanical repairs are here to stay. So enjoy your car and don’t think too hard as its too far away for this to happen…………..you will know when its time to make the change over and Best Deals Auto doesn’t think its any time soon.
Autonomous driving is in the very very much future so lets get real guys ! There don’t appear to be any short term alternatives to your traditional cars just yet…………so the advice and general consensus is keep your car maintained and safe as its still your best bet for getting around.
Come to Best Deals Auto today for all your service needs. Visit our website to book a service appointment today at www.bestdealsauto.ca
Customer want cheap, fast and best…………….unfortunately that’s not always the way business works.
In the automotive repair industry, service and knowledge make the best repair shop.
A mechanic shop is more likely to be successful and have satisfied customers if they provide proper workmanship and competitive prices and then they will be producing revenue for many years to come as customers feel happy !
The old model about making as much money as possible from one customer is gone…customers are more educated, ask more questions and demand competitive and affordable pricing. Customer loyalty is earned when you are consistently offering affordable and reasonable rates…………being the lowest price is not always what the customer wants…the customer wants efficiency, value and trust.
TRUE VALUE DELIVERED CREATES LOYALTY. Best Deals Auto has been in business for over 23 years and has many thousands of satisfied clients that keep coming back for all their car needs ! We must be doing something right to have earned the trust of so many !
Its not selling the work, its counselling the clients as to whats in their best interests within their budget and constraints that is important. When the clients believe you care, they feel this vibe, and are more satisfied they are getting value, hence customer retention !
WAY TO GO BEST DEALS AUTO ! Being in business for 23 years is a HIP HIP HOORAY !
Women in the auto industry and women repair service advisors bring a lot to the front counter. Don’t be afraid to deal with a woman service advisor !
Best Deals Auto has 2 women service advisors. Having women service advisors as well as 1 male service advisor actually brings culture to the shop.
Women have a lot to offer our male-dominated industry. In many cases, female clients prefer to be served by a woman. For some women, bringing their car into a service station can be an intimidating experience and having a woman on the other side of the counter can make the entire process more comfortable. They can be the perfect mediator between the technician and simple breakdowns of what needs to be done rather than technical details of repairs.
There is no question that the world is evolving and moving away from male dominated industries. Best Deals Auto has empowered this trend and the opportunity to speed the transition to empower women in the auto industry.
Come to Best Deals Auto for a professional and communicative experience for all your car needs !
STEP 1Stop. If your vehicle is involved in an accident and you don’t stop, you may be subject to criminal prosecution.
STEP 2If anyone is injured, if the total damage to all the vehicles involved appears to be MORE than $1,000, or if you suspect that any of the other drivers involved are guilty of a Criminal Code offence (such as driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol), call 911 and follow the instructions given to you by the emergency operator. Police will arrive as soon as possible.
Do not try to move anyone injured in the accident — you may aggravate their injuries!
If no one is injured and total damage to all the vehicles involved appears to be LESS than $1,000, call your local police for instructions. Police units may or may not be dispatched to the scene. If local police do not attend the scene of the accident, they will instruct you to report to a Collision Reporting Centre within 24 hours.
Collision Reporting Centres are police facilities created to assist motorists in reporting motor vehicle accidents. At the reporting centre you will be assisted in completing a police report, and damage to the vehicle will be photographed.
Collision Reporting Centres are currently available in a number of jurisdictions across the province. Visit: www.accsupport.com or call: (416) 745-3301 to locate the Collision Reporting Centre nearest to you.
If there isn’t a Collision Reporting Centre in the area of the accident, the police will ask you to go to the nearest police station to file a report.
STEP 3 If it is safe to do so, move your vehicle to the side of the road, out of traffic. If your vehicle cannot be driven, turn on your hazard lights.
If you have access to a digital camera or a cell phone, you should use it to take pictures of the scene; preferably before the vehicles are moved. You should also use your cell phone to audio record as much information as possible.
STEP 4 Write down the names, addresses, and telephone and driver’s licence numbers of all of the other drivers, the licence plate numbers of the other vehicles, as well as the names and addresses of the registered owners of the vehicles, and the insurance information for each of the other vehicles.
STEP 5 Also obtain the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of passengers and witnesses.
STEP 6 Jot down specific details about the scene of the accident, time of day, and what exactly happened as you remember it.
STEP 7 Report the accident to your broker, agent, or insurance company as soon as possible after the accident. For more information on filing an insurance claim with your insurance company, call them and they will help you with the process.
Remember…
As difficult as it may seem, it is important that you remain calm.
Do not argue with other drivers and passengers. Save your story for the police.
Do not voluntarily assume liability or take responsibility, sign statements regarding fault, or promise to pay for damage at the scene of the accident.
Be careful of unauthorized tow truck operators pressuring you to have your vehicle towed, demanding immediate payment for the tow, or attempting to take your vehicle to a garage or body shop of their choice. They may try to use the confusion of the moment to intimidate you into allowing your vehicle to be towed. If you feel you are being pressured, ask the police for the name of an authorized tow truck operator and have your vehicle towed to a Collision Reporting Centre or a police compound until you can talk to your insurance company.
Be prepared for any emergency on the road
Always keep a basic vehicle first aid or emergency kit in the trunk of your vehicle. You can easily create an emergency kit for your vehicle by filling a plastic storage container with the following:
a basic first aid kit, a disposable camera, emergency road flares, warning triangles or cones, a fire extinguisher (A-B-C Type),
a flashlight and extra batteries, bottled water, booster cables, a tire repair kit and pump, a small tool kit, a towel, a pair of work gloves,
some type of nonperishable food, hand wipes, a thermal blanket.
PLEASE USE SOME NICE PICTURES TO GO ALONG WITH THIS BLOG.
Ten Things To Know Before Having your Car Accident Collision Repaired
This is valuable information that we freely give in order to offer the best possible advice.
1. Your car is the second largest investment you’re likely to make. Preserve its value and your safety by having it repaired professionally.
2. Never drive a car that could be unsafe because of damages.
3. Some insurance companies may want you to visit their drive-in claims center before having your car repaired. You can do this, or you may leave your car at the shop of your choice and ask that the insurance company inspect the car there.
4. There is no law requiring you to obtain more than one estimate or appraisal.
5. You have the right to go to the repair shop of your choice. Your insurance company cannot require you to go to a particular shop.
6. Differences in repair estimates are common. A lower estimate may not include all necessary work.
7. Choose a shop that has been in business for many years preferably at least 10 years at the same location. This is a good indication that they know their job to be in business a long time.
8. Ask if the shop will be using genuine manufacturer replacement parts.
9. Ask if the shop offers a repair warranty. A warranty is like a promise.
10. Let the shop of your choice help you negotiate your claim with the insurance company.
Best Deals Auto is your negotiator. The Bodyshop is on your side and would like you to get the best repair possible for your car. You pay your premiums to your insurance company every month and now if you have a need for collision repairs, its time for your insurer to step up and pay for your car to be fixed and returned to its original safe condition prior to the accident. Best Deals Auto will ensure fair negotiations on your behalf. Call 416-745-9700 today to speak to one of our knowledgable client service advisors.
No. Absolutely Not ! You don’t have to use the auto body shop that the insurance company recommended. The choice is yours — by law, in the majority of cases. Yet a question remains: Will you get a quality repair?
Most insurance have repair contracts with body shops in your area. Choosing the insurance company’s repair shop has benefits for the insurance company, which has negotiated lower labour and material rates, as well as parts discounts with those shops. The insurance company refers to them as “preferred body shops”. The shop will have met the insurance company’s equipment and training requirements but most insurance companies will also require these shops to offer discounted repairs and work with the insurance companies to lower the insurance claims payouts which is not to your advantage.
Insurance company claims representatives are given set goals. In general, companies would like to see at least 40 percent of their claims go to their direct repair shops. If you have chosen your own repair shop, claims representatives will frequently try to sway you away from your decision, telling you that your shop isn’t on their list, thus they won’t be able to handle your claim efficiently. They may explain that it will take up to a week before an adjuster will be available to write an estimate on your car. They could go further by stating that their company will not warranty the repairs if you don’t have your car repaired at their shop.
Do not be intimidated by this. Reputable auto body repair shops provide a warranty no matter who is paying the bill. Shops are systematically interested in handling your claim and the repairs efficiently. Also, shop estimators are familiar with your insurance company’s claims process and know their local adjusters, making it easy to complete the estimate process and repairs quickly.
Again, the choice is yours.
Overall, if you have a body shop of choice, it is important that you choose a repair shop that you feel confident in. Sometimes, smaller body shops can help with paying your deductible and it will be at no out of pocket to you. The insurance recommended repairs shops won’t do that as they are working with the insurer to save them money and obtain bonuses for doing so at the year end. Why would you want to help the insurance company when you have been paying your premiums and now you need a repair, you want to help them save money……………..no way jose ! Research shows that if you choose your own body shop you can usually pay zero out of pocket and obtain great results. Sometimes the smaller body shops may also throw in a free scratch or dent repair that may not be part of your claim if you work with them ! The big guys won’t do that !
Plus, you will support your local economy rather than fill the deep pockets of insurers !
Support Best Deals Auto today and let us handle your insurance claim professionally and no hassle. We also get you in a rental car same day !
No body shop can hold contracts with all insurance companies. If the shop you chose isn’t on the insurance company’s list, it doesn’t make them a poor choice. Your shop doesn’t have to be on your insurance company’s direct repair list in order to repair your car professionally and efficiently. A reputable body shop will work with any insurance company to restore your vehicle to the condition it was in prior to your accident and provide a lifetime warranty on repairs.
