Ontario requires certification of car, truck salespeople

TORONTO (Nov. 16, 1999) Ð As of Nov. 15, people getting into the business of selling trucks, cars, and other motor vehicles are required to take a certification course before applying for registration under the Motor Vehicle Dealers Act.

The Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council (OMVIC), which oversees the program, said the compulsory certification course would ensure that new salespeople understand provincial regulations governing the sale of motorized road vehicles.

New salespeople are required to be enrolled in the course before applying for registration and to pass the course within 60 days of registration. The certification course is a correspondence course that will be delivered through the Canadian Automotive Institute of Georgian College in Barrie, Ont.

“This is not a course that teaches you how to sell cars or trucks,” said Carl Compton, OMVIC’s executive director and registrar. “ItÕs designed to broaden a salespersonÕs understanding of his legal responsibilities as he goes about his job. We believe it will raise the level of professionalism in the industry.”

The certification course, the first compulsory course for dealers and salespeople in Canada, was developed jointly by OMVIC and the Canadian Automotive Institute, with technical assistance from dealer trade associations (Used Car Dealers Association of Ontario, and the Ontario and Toronto Automobile Dealers Associations).

It focuses on the rights of consumers buying a motor vehicle; rResponsibilities of dealers and salespeople; and provincial laws that govern the buying, selling, and leasing of motor vehicles (Motor Vehicle Dealers Act, Business Practices Act, Consumer Protection Act, Sale of Goods Act, etc.)

It is anticipated that approximately 6000 prospective new dealers and salespeople will take the $190 course each year. The 27,000 salespeople and dealers currently registered with OMVIC under the Motor Vehicle Dealers Act will be encouraged, but not immediately required, to take the course, Compton said. They may eventually be certifed as “grandfathered” dealers and salespeople.

Compton said the OMVIC is concerned that the program could give rise to “curbsiders” — unregistered sellers masquerading as private individuals to sell vehicles. Curbsiding can result in a maximum fine of $100,000 for companies and up to $25,000 and one year in jail for individuals.

For information, contact: Carl Compton, Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council, 416/226-6150; 1-800-943-6002.


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