LANGLEY, B.C. — The B.C. Trucking Association’s lobbying efforts for changes to the province’s Commercial Transport Regulations have paid off.

Specifically, changes have been made to accommodate the installation of aerodynamic devices by way of amendments to length and width regulations effective July 1.

The following amendments to the regulations mean the industry has more leeway in the installation of such devices:

For vehicle width regulations, there will be an allowance for mirrors extending up to 30 cm beyond the total permitted width of a vehicle; and an allowance for auxiliary equipment or devices not used or designed to carry cargo that extend up to 10 cm beyond the total permitted width of a vehicle.

For vehicle length regulations, there will be an allowance for auxiliary equipment or devices not used or designed to carry cargo that do not extend more than 30 cm beyond the front of the vehicle and 10 cm beyond the rear of a vehicle.

As well, there is an allowance for aerodynamic devices installed at the rear of a truck, trailer, or semi-trailer not used or designed to carry cargo, providing that the devices do not extend more than 0.61 m beyond the rear of a vehicle at a height above 1.9 m from the ground and 0.305 m at a height below 1.9 m from the ground.

A trailer with aerodynamic devices must still comply with Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (CMVSS).

Of course there are a few exceptions depending on the trailer’s use, so it’s best to ensure compliance before purchasing add-on equipment. A full circular of the new regulations is available from Commercial Vehicle Safety Enforcement.