TORONTO — The Ontario Ministry of Transport (MTO) has amended the Highway Traffic Act to streamline the commercial driver medical review process and eliminate the unnecessary medical waiver program.

At the urging of the Ontario Trucking Association, the MTO recent made the changes, which are set to take effect on Jan. 1 2011.

"We are pleased MTO has taken this step to improve the efficiency of the commercial driver medical review process while maintaining its integrity,” said Geoff Wood, VP of Operations at OTA. "This will reduce paperwork for drivers, carriers and physicians." 

Currently, Ontario commercial drivers who do not meet the established medical standards must apply for a waiver, which depends on the drivers meeting national medical standards for their licence class.

On January 1, 2011, medical reports will continue to be assessed against the national medical standards, but they will no longer have to apply for a "waiver. Reports OTA.

In cases where the higher class of licence is denied due to medical reasons and the licence is downgraded, the driver will retain the same right of appeal to the Licence Appeal Tribunal they currently have.

OTA will be holding a webinar January 12th, 2011 to further explain the details of the revised medical waiver process.