Transportation

Overview

Carrier Safety Rating Program

The government implemented a Carrier Safety Ratings (CSR) Program, effective January 1999. This program is coupled with the Commercial Vehicle Operator's Registration (CVOR) program which was legislated in 1989, to establish a specific carrier's safety rating. The CSR requires all carriers to have periodic facility audits. Facility audits are an assessment of off-road compliance to Ontario's legislation and regulations, and the national safety code. Auditors will be looking at such things as hours of work (log books), maintenance records, pre-trip inspection records, and driver qualifications.

Changes to Daily Trip Truck Inspections and Reports

The requirements for completing pre-trip truck inspection reports changed, effective June 1, 1999. The most significant change is the elimination of the 160 kilometer radius exemption from completing a daily trip inspection report. Vehicles with a gross weight or registered gross weight of 4500 kilograms (9920 lbs) or more will be required to complete a daily trip inspection report. Under the old regulations, a commercial motor vehicle (a vehicle with a gross weight or registered gross weight of 4500 kilograms or more) driven within a 160 kilometer radius of the location at which the driver reports to work, was exempt from completing an inspection report.

Another change is that a daily trip inspection is now valid for 24 hours from the time it was first completed, as opposed to being valid until only 12:00 midnight.

Farmer Registration Number/"FARM" Licence Plates

Commercial trucking interests, who must pay the full price for their licence plates, have recommended the provincial government eliminate "FARM" plates due to alleged abuse. Purchasers of "FARM" plates must sign a declaration that they operate a farm business producing farm products with a gross value of $8000 in Western Ontario or $5000 in the remainder of the province. Use of the Farmer Registration Number to determine "FARM" plate eligibility, in place of the signed declaration, would counter arguments from the commercial trucking industry that "FARM" plates are the subject of widespread abuse. Its use would also ensure that only eligible farmers are able to purchase these plates, potentially bringing higher revenues to the government by forcing ineligible users to purchase full fee commercial plates.

Hours of Work

Hours of Work regulation, found under Ontario Regulation 4/93 of the Highway Traffic Act, establishes the hours of work requirements that a driver cannot exceed, and exemptions to these requirements. Section 2(1)(1) establishes that hours of work regulations "do not apply to a driver of a two or three axle commercial motor vehicle (CMV) being used to transport primary farm, forest, sea or lake products produced by the driver or the operator."

Oversize/Overweight Permits

Currently, truckers with oversize loads may be required to obtain a permit from each municipality they drive through, as well as requiring a permit from the province if driving on provincial roads. This could be quite costly to farmers and consume a great deal of time. The issue is amplified as a result of the realignment of services and Downloading of roads to municipalities. In the fall of 1998, the MTO hired a consultant to study the issues and concerns of industry regarding oversize/overweight permits, and provide recommendations which will address these concerns. The MTO is now beginning the implementation process.

Farm Vehicles and Equipment and The Highway Traffic Act - Ministry of Transportation

Changes to Ontario's Off-Road Vehicles Legislation/Regulations - Ministry of Transportation

Highway Traffic Act - Ministry of Transportation

Ministry of Transport Farm Guide - Ministry of Transportation

Ministry of Transport Farm Guide (French) - Ministry of Transportation