Manitoba RHD – MPI’s memo *updated*
So, I've heard from a few sources now that MPI has sent a memo to a all Safety Inspection Stations. I'm still trying to get a copy of this memo. If you have one, please forward it to me. I now have a copy of this memo, it is attached.
The gist of the memo is... look for DOT head lights, DOT tail lights, DOT and seatbelts. Some have said that the memo says to not safety the vehicle at all. At any rate, people are getting turned away from Safety Inspection Stations because of this memo. It has been an ongoing problem that RHDs are getting turned away, but this has made even more stations close their doors to us.
Manitoba is currently in provincial election mode. MPIs are going to be too busy to care about the little guys. I had a response from Hon. Andrew Swan earlier, but MPI has still refused to contact me.
Because of all this, I have sent another email to Hon. Andrew Swan, and Hon. Steve Ashton to see if they could help.
Hon. Andrew Swan and Hon. Steve Ashton,
I realize that you are probably very busy with your campaign, but no
one from MPI has contacted me. This is itself is fine, but MPI has
just released a memo to safety inspection stations that has caused
most stations to stop safetying right-hand drive vehicles.This is exactly what I was trying to avoid. This approach to the
safety in these vehicles is not the answer.I would like to set up a meeting, or at least open communications
between myself, MPI and all relevant parties. Can you help me with
this?Again, I realize you are probably very busy at this time. If you don't
have time to attend meetings about this, can you help me contact the
correct people at MPI.Cheers,
Robert Guderian
So, hopefully I'll get some kind of response.
rob
March 11th, 2015 - 00:23
Robert, I was hoping you could provide me with an update to your discussions with MPI.
I recently agreed to purchase a right hand drive Toyota that is currently registered in MB, and had been imported from Japan several years back.
The owner took the vehicle to a local Toyota dealership to get safetied and to his dismay, was told that MPI had changed the “rules” in the last 3 weeks and right hand drive vehicles could no longer be safetied. As such, he could continue driving it, but could not sell it! Understandably, the owner is very upset – I in turn am very disappointed.
Nonetheless, I’m hoping to speak with MPI to determine if this is in fact their position. Any insight you could provide would be greatly appreciated. Best, Cor
July 30th, 2015 - 22:03
Sorry about the late reply, fell off my radar.
RHDs are ok to be safetied in Manitoba…. but dealerships are probably not the best place to go. You do need to swap the headlights so they say SAE or DOT, and the seatbelts too. MPI has backed off a bit on the requirements for non-headlight lighting.