This page last updated: March 26, 2014
Note: The Raw Forest products freeze up period is no longer in effect, for all areas.”
CVOR Written Test
The Ministry of Transportation (MTO) is seeking to reduce the incidents of collisions and high risk safety violations by new operators of trucks and buses on Ontario highways. To achieve this goal MTO is introducing a CVOR written test for new operators in the Commercial Vehicle Operators’ Registration (CVOR) program.MTO’s goal is to improve a new entrant’s knowledge of their requirements allowing enforcement to focus on non-compliant operators instead of operators who do not understand their obligations.
The CVOR test will be a one time requirement. Operators will be required to demonstrate knowledge of Ontario’s safety laws by completing a test in person at a DriveTest Centre as a prerequisite to obtaining a CVOR certificate.
The ministry has amended the Highway Traffic Act Regulation 424/97 “Commercial Motor Vehicle Operators’ information” to require Ontario-based CVOR applicants, who apply after September 30, 2013, to complete this test prior to being issued a CVOR certificate and operating on Ontario roadways.
For more information see the Commercial Vehicle Operators’ Safety manual, Module 4 “Commercial Vehicle Operators’ Registration”, specifically the CVOR Test.
Security of Loads - Regulation 363/04
National Safety Code (NSC) Standard 10 (Cargo Securement), was recently updated by the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators (CCMTA), following consultations with all provinces, territories and Transport Canada.
Regulation 363/04 under the Highway Traffic Act automatically adopts NSC Standard 10. The amended standard (dated June 2013) took effect on June 10, 2013, when it was published on CCMTA’s website.
The updated standard includes four changes related to:
- Definition of a light vehicle;
- Friction mats (Section 12);
- Metal coils (Section 50), and
- Intermodal containers (Section 84).
Although the updated standard is now in effect, the ministry will allow sufficient time for industry to communicate the changes to its members. Full enforcement of the updated standard will commence on January 1, 2014.
Implementation of the new standard may vary across Canada. Please be aware that operators must comply with the legal requirements of each individual jurisdiction.
These changes took effect on June 1, 2013.
Amended Regulation 612 can be found on e-Laws at Ontario Regulation 612, School Buses.
School Buses
Recent amendments were made to Regulation 612 under the Highway Traffic Act to consolidate all requirements for school buses, including accessible school buses, into one regulation. Requirements related to accessible school buses were moved from Regulation 629 to Regulation 612.
Regulation 612 automatically adopts Canadian Standards Association (CSA) standard D250. CSA D250-12 recently took effect and applies to new school buses manufactured on or after June 1, 2013 and, for the first time, includes accessibility-related standards.
