TransLink — Vancouver’s transportation network, serving public transit, major roads, and bridges — launched an initiative to streamline trucking standards across Metro Vancouver, aiming to cut costs and simplify the permitting process for commercial vehicles operating in the region.

Inconsistent rules between municipalities have long created barriers for transport trucks, often requiring separate permits and limiting access to specific routes based on local definitions of size and weight. According to TransLink’s news release, the new regional standards, developed in consultation with local governments and industry partners, will align these regulations and make it easier for carriers to operate across municipal boundaries.

If fully adopted, it will standardize the definition of a heavy truck to vehicles with a gross vehicle weight over 11,793 kilograms. This change has already been adopted by roughly 98% of Metro Vancouver municipalities. Nearly half of local governments have also aligned their rules around oversized and overweight vehicles, a process that is expected to be completed within the next year.

TransLink also says it is developing a regional permit manual to guide both carriers and municipal staff. Currently, each municipality issues its own permits, often with different requirements such as time-of-day travel restrictions. These new standards would improve the regional permitting process, TransLink says, adding they are expected to be fully adopted over the next year.

“As uncertainty around international trade grows, strengthening the local movement of goods directly benefits Metro Vancouver consumers and businesses,” said TransLink CEO Kevin Quinn in the release. “A more efficient transportation network is essential to breaking barriers and creating a stronger economy in our region.”

The harmonization effort is expected to reduce costly damage from infrastructure strikes, such as trucks hitting overpasses or trolley wires, which have disrupted traffic and freight flow in the past.

“These changes will streamline the regional transport process and ensure more reliable cargo movement through Metro Vancouver,” said B.C. Trucking Association president and CEO Dave Earle in the release. “This important work will refine understanding, compliance, and safety within our industry.”

The changes are being coordinated through the Commercial Vehicle Working Group, which includes representatives from TransLink, the B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, Transport Canada, Metro Vancouver, local governments, and industry stakeholders such as the B.C. Trucking Association, Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, and Vancouver International Airport.