Alberta: New rules for drivers and carriers

Although this is long overdue, and is mostly reactionary due to the Humboldt crash, it is good to see some changes coming. I am glad to see some focus on carriers. When we started our small carrier we went from "Temporary" to "Satisfactory" without any kind of compliance review. No review of any kind... not even a phone call. In our case we were serious about safety, compliance and performance, so it wasn't an issue, but anyone who has been around the industry for more than a week knows how most of it goes...

Alberta improving safety with new truck, bus training
Commercial carriers subject to third-party safety review

The Government of Alberta will implement mandatory entry-level training for new Class 1 and Class 2 commercial drivers in the spring. The training will include: standardized curriculum taught in all driver training schools; specified hours of training required in-class, in-yard and in-vehicle; and enhanced knowledge and road tests.

Along with the compulsory training, more stringent safety requirements for new commercial truck and bus companies will be in place. For example, a mandatory safety and compliance course and knowledge test must be completed before beginning operations.

Commercial carriers will also be subject to a formal, third-party review of compliance with federal and provincial safety regulations within one year of beginning operations.

“We are advancing safety standards in our commercial driving industries to enhance road safety, not just in Alberta, but across the continent, as commercial drivers travel across Canada and North America,” said Minister of Transportation Brian Mason.

Mandatory training for new commercial drivers will result in safer, more highly skilled drivers working in the truck and bus industries, the provincial government said. New safety requirements will ensure startup trucking companies fully meet compliance and safety standards before they begin operating.

The training and operating requirements will take effect in Alberta on March 1, 2019. Temporary Safety Fitness Certificates will no longer be issued as of Jan. 1, 2019.

- Alberta improving safety with new truck, bus training | Canadian Occupational Safety​

 

Sad that it took this mass killing( my opinion) to shake something loose, not to mention all the other truck related fatalities on the road.

 

So is this just for new drivers or will current Class 1 holders need to retrain?

 

New only. They should bring in retesting requirements...



after I am long gone.

Ontario does have limited retesting, but knowledge and road tests should be required for all, IMHO.

When your licence is due for renewal, you will get a renewal application form either via e-mail or mail. Drivers under the age of 65 with class A, B, C, E or F licences must pass a vision and knowledge test in order to renew their licence usually every five years.

Effective April 1, 2013, requirements for senior commercial drivers have changed. Drivers aged 65 to 79 with class A, B, C, D, E or F licences must pass a vision and knowledge test in order to renew their licence usually every five years. Drivers aged 65 to 79 with class A, B, C, D , E or F licences are required to pass a vision, knowledge and road test in the event of an at-fault collision or the accumulation of three or more demerit points. For those commercial drivers with an air brake endorsement, the written air brake test has been aligned with the written knowledge test cycle, and the practical air brake test is only required when a road test is triggered. Drivers 80 and over with Class A, B, C, D, E or F licences are required to pass a vision, knowledge and road test prior to renewing their licence.

- Trucks Handbook​

 

Not so for me in ON. We went for many years as "temporary - unaudited" but then after two trucks simultaneously failed brake stroke measurements I was notified of an audit.......which I failed because the ratio of violations per inspection was too high. I questioned this because I knew we had tons of clean inspections. As it turns out, the dirty buggers were only entering the bad inspections into the MTO database. It was a very good thing I kept paper records to show the auditor. Dirty ########

 

It's hard to have trust in a system when the regulators circumvent the rules as well.

 

The accident has nothing to do with training. It has to do with attitude and remaining focused on the task at hand.
We had no training 40 years ago and we sure as heck did not have the number of stupid crashes we see today.
Any distraction and their eyes are off the road checking their updates and the latest Pornhub releases

 

Whoever got their class 1 after October 10/2018 has to retake the new format knowledge test ( which none has any clue , called registry guys and some schools , none has any " enhanced" study material for " enhanced" knowledge test ), also the road test is enhanced as well which I totally agree . I was licensed on February 2019 and the test didn't even consist of opening the hood and examining the belts or anything!!! Which I think is stupid !! , And as per new rule you have to do the road test in a standard transmission truck with a 53' trailer...

 

Even back in 2012 when I did mine they wouldn't let you open the hood. Liability I was told. Apparently someone down south threw their back out trying to open the hood.

 

Opening the hood and examining the components has been added in the MELT now as per the transportation albAlbe website.. all I was wondering is why only new drivers from October 2018 have to redo the test ? In Saskatchewan the rule is only applicable to anyone attempting for the class one from March 01/2019 , the date the new rule came into effect... Not sure what made the authorities to include the ones got licensed from October 2018