Changing Gears
TORONTO, Ont. –The Ontario Ministry of Transportation has quietly approved the use of automatic transmissions for senior drivers who must annually renew their A/Z licence after the age of 65.
Using a truck with an automated transmission will allow them to qualify for a full privilege Class A licence, according to the Private Motor Truck Council (PMTC), which along with the Ontario Trucking Association and Owner-Operators Business Association of Canada, has been lobbying for the change.
In a letter to the PMTC, the Ministry of Transportation confirmed “As of Nov. 1 2009, senior commercial drivers conducting annual renewal road tests are allowed to use a vehicle equipped with an automatic transmission to qualify for a full privilege Class A driver’s licence.”
New drivers and non-senior drivers will have to use a mechanical transmission when obtaining an A/Z licence, however.
“The purpose of this policy change is to address issues that have been brought to the ministry’s attention since the introduction of the Class A Restricted licence,” the letter explained. •
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