More confused than ever on Alberta inspection procedures.

[JMK]

I called RIV and they tell me, "Oh you're vehicle is more than 15 year old, it does not go through our program."

So I ask her then who oversees the compliance inspections, etc., etc. She didn't have any idea and basically encouraged me to quit asking stupid questions and take a hike.

So until now I guess I always assumed, wrongly, that I went through the compliance inspection process via RIV. Is it then something you simply set up via the ALberta Registries office?

[Green1]

You go to any garage for an OOP inspection, RIV only applies to american imports newer than 15 years, we just need the Out Of Province inspection

[JMK]

Thanks Green.

Any garage? They can issue the compliance certificate and/or other supporting documents that you need to take to the registry office?

[Green1]

ok... how about I clarify...
step 1: call your insurance company and get the vehicle covered for insurance.
step 2: take all your paperwork (bill of sale, japanese export certificate, customs form 1, insurance "pink slip") to any registry office, they will then give you an OOP inspection form.
step 3: take the inspection form to a registered inspection facility (most mechanics seem to do them, but call ahead for 2 reasons, first to make sure they do these, and second to make sure they don't freak when they hear it's a RHD (anyone who seems hesitant you should steer clear of as they might fail it for no good reason just because they don't like RHD) the inspection facility will then give you an inspection certificate.
step 4: take the inspection certificate back to the registy and they will register your vehicle for you.

This can all be done using the license plates off your previous vehicle (As long as it takes less than 2 weeks to complete) or the registry can give you a temporary permit to allow you to do the running around.

[JMK]

Thanks for that!

I was at Canadian Tire in Cochrane tonight and asked the service manager and he pretty much said the same. He told me that I didn't need the high brake light in Alberta. I told him the memo from the head inpsector guy apparently said you did, even though the TSA indicates otherwise. So he pulls out the inspection manual, reads it over about 5 times because the wording is so obtuse, and eventually concurs. So, as everyone else here has pointed out, get that brake light done for ALberta even though you stand a good chance of squeaking through.

This may also be of interest to some with the coming cold weather, Wal Mart has done a rollback on the Optima 34/78 Red Top Spiralcell batteries* to $149.00, which is about a $50.00 savings. As well, Canadian Tire has their top end remote start systems that support diesel engines that are normally $199.00 on sale for $129.00 for another week. They also have the Zerostart circulating heaters there, the 8000 series with the check valves in them, one thread I read didn't seem to like the check valves but I'm trying to figure out why. I've just purchased all of the above.

*Heads Up on their weird Warranty policy. The guy at the auto counter is supposed to sell you the battery at his counter after he gets you to tell him what vehcile you are putting it in, whereupon he writes that on a form that is filed. THis is to ensure you are putting it in an "approved" vehicle, which the Delica is not. They'll still sell it to you, but no warranty. So if you do go buy one, first find out what vehicles are approved for use with that battery and tell him that's what you're putting it in or: 2) grab the battery when the auto counter guy is not looking and take it directly to the front cash where they simply run it through the checkout without the palaver and you'l still have your warranty. (I did #2).

[Green1]

third brake light information, from the Alberta OOP inspection manual:

Section 6 - Lamps
1 - Lamps
D - High mount stop lamp
Reject if not equipped on cars manufactured on and after January 1, 1987
Reject if not equipped on trucks with a GVWR of 4,536 kg ( 10,000 lbs ) and less, built after January 1, 1997

if we're a truck as most people seem to believe, we don't need one (however, it's generally easier to add one than to argue with the inspector)