TORONTO — Commercial trucks and trailers will be exempt from parts of Ontario’s new 7-day vehicle impoundment policy set to take effect on Dec. 1.

The rule cracks down on drivers with suspended licenses and those driving with a blood alcohol levels of over .08, automatically impounding their vehicles for a week.

However, because of the significant financial and operational burdens carrier companies face if a commercial vehicle is impounded, the Ministry of Transportation has introduced an alternate program for transport trucks.

Under the relaxed policy, the vehicle will not be subject to a 7-day impoundment if the driver’s licence has been suspended for less than 100 days.

However, drivers with a blood alcohol level over .08; or if found to be in violation of an ignition interlock requirement will have their vehicle impounded.

As well, regardless of whether the commercial vehicle is impounded, any driver operating with a suspended licence will not be allowed to continue their trip and will face additional sanctions, says MTO.

MTO says it softened the rule for truckers because impoundments for large vehicles can run fleets between $1,200 and $1,500 and certain loads such as perishable goods, livestock and mixed cements could be ruined because of impoundments.