Pro-rated licence fees on the horizon in B.C.

LANGLEY, B.C. -- The B.C. Trucking Association has revealed the provincial government has provisionally approved pro-rated licence fees for commercial trucks and buses.

Next US protectionism plan right ON TIME

WASHINGTON -- Buy American or Buyer Beware? That's what Canadian cross-border shippers, importers, and carriers might be asking themselves these days.

NHTSA extends external ABS lamp rule

WASHINGTON -- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking last week, extending by 18 months a requirement that trailers with antilock brake systems be equipped with an external antilock malfunction indicator lamp.

Stakeholders pitch ‘border ambassadors’ idea

SARNIA, Ont. -- Once upon a time, the purpose of NAFTA meant reducing barriers for freer flowing trade. It's debatable, though -- considering the alphabet soup of security acronyms shippers and carriers face daily -- whether that remains to be true.

Paint the Town Reg: Shops prep for enviro paint rule

TORONTO -- The folks in your body-repair shop could be fully aware of the Canadian government's new environmental paint regulations that restrict what kind of finishes you can use when you repair damaged trucks. Or, maybe they don't.

ATA makes opposition to HOS challenge official

ARLINGTON, Va. -- The American Trucking Associations (ATA) began its dismissal of a challenge to current hours of service (HOS) regulations by trying to clear up any perceived myths, but yesterday the group filed an official motion.

Western Canada sets itself apart

VANCOUVER -- A few years back, Alberta and B.C. established a trade and labor mobility pact following a groundbreaking joint-cabinet meeting. Now, Saskatchewan is getting in on the action as all three province's cabinet members joined together for an inaugural tri-cabinet meeting on March 13.

Mexico not taking a siesta on border program

MEXICO CITY -- While the internal debate continues in Washington about the validity about a cross-border trucking program with Mexico, the U.S.'s southern neighbors have taken matters into their own hands.

It’s Official: Maxxforce 15 will roar like a Cat

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- The name remains to be seen (Maxxerpillar? Catforce, perhaps?), but there were few surprises when Navistar unveiled its new Maxxforce 15-liter big bore to customers, dealers and the media at the Mid America Trucking Show last night.

Saskatchewan halts enhanced license initiative

REGINA -- Concerns over cost, public interest and changing card requirements have resulted in the Saskatchewan government announcing it is not going ahead with an enhanced driver's licence (EDL) program.

OTA calls for leniency on cell phone ban, vehicle impounds

TORONTO -- The Ontario Trucking Association made its opinions known to a pair a government committee holding hearings on two transportation bills.

OTA recruiting drivers to challenge license retest rule

TORONTO -- The Ontario Trucking Association is stepping up its campaign to get the province to change its age-based license retest rule and is looking to drivers to help drum up support.

Manitoba ups speed limit on major route, fines as well

WINNIPEG -- The speed limit on certain sections of twinned roadway in Manitoba will increase to 110 km/h on July 1, but so will fines for motorists caught speeding.

US Bill aims to put the brakes on heavier truck plans

WASHINGTON -- A bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives seeks to block plans to increase truck size and weight rules -- something which has been encourage by carrier and shipping groups.

Good and bad news to CBSA’s new goods clearance rules

OTTAWA -- Canada's plans to mimic the American ACE program with its own electronic border pre-clearance system could spread the responsibility for gathering and presenting data on goods across the supply chain. But, as the Canadian Trucking Alliance points out, if other partners don't do their part, it's still truckers that'll pay the most.