Ontario Enhances Training for New Truckers
This story appears in the Aug. 15 print edition of Transport Topics.
Come next July 1, all residents of Ontario, Canada’s most populated province, who want to take a Class A road test to become commercial truck drivers must successfully complete an entry-level training course through an approved training provider.
“It’s a game changer,” Ontario Trucking Association President David Bradley said. “The days of being able to walk in off the street and take the tractor-trailer test with no training whatsoever are over in Ontario. We believe [this] is an important safety measure. It will also help ensure carriers will have an adequate supply of consistently trained, quality new drivers in the future.”
The rule will require a minimum of 103.5 hours of training (115.5 hours if the air brake course is included) and will apply to private career colleges, community colleges and other regulated authorities.
“The safety of all users of Ontario’s roads and highways is our top priority,” Ontario Transportation Minister Steven Del Duca said in a statement. “The introduction of mandatory training in addition to knowledge and road tests is designed to ensure that commercial truck drivers are properly trained before they are tested.”
The rule has the support of the Truck Training Schools Association of Ontario.
“The new standard will help to produce higher-quality commercial drivers and ultimately make our roads safer for everyone,” said Kim Richardson, the organization’s chairman.
Mike Millian, president of the Private Motor Truck Council of Canada, praised Ontario’s Ministry of Transportation for making it clear that “the industry’s view was not only wanted, but necessary.”
“Overall the mandatory entry- level training standard is a great win for the industry and will help to raise the profile of the job of the professional driver,” he added. “The standard will also go a long way in removing the unqualified licensing mill training schools from our industry.”
Bradley said Ontario will be the first jurisdiction in Canada to require mandatory, certified training for Class A drivers. Bradley, who also is president of the Canadian Trucking Alliance, said he hopes other provinces will follow.
He added: “Too often, [truck driving is] considered the job of last resort. It’s hard to argue the occupation should be treated like other trades in the absence of any form of mandatory training.”
Rob Abbott, vice president of safety policy for American Trucking Associations, welcomed the news.
“ATA is always supportive of mandatory entry-level driver training,” Abbott said. “We’re encouraged that they have taken this step in Ontario. We’re expecting that the U.S. government will soon issue its final entry-level driver training rule.”
