ST. CATHERINES, Ont. (Aug. 9, 1999) — Come Sept. 1, Ontario’s Ministry of Transportation will require drivers to inspect their truck once every 24 hours instead of once each calendar day.

The regulatory changes, one of several passed in June affecting vehicle maintenance and inspections, end the longstanding practice of drivers having to stop their vehicles and record an inspection during their first stop after midnight. An “educational” period is in effect until Sept. 1.

Drivers are required to record the “time of inspection,” which starts the 24-hour clock. After 24 hours, another inspection is required prior to the vehicle’s next operation. A valid report meets the new trip inspection report requirements as long as it is not more than 24 hours old.

Current pre-printed supplies of inspection forms may be used until supplies are depleted, the MTO said. However, reprints of the report should contain a location for the “time of inspection” to be entered. Vehicles previously exempted from driver inspections and inspection reports remain exempted.

The province has made other regulatory changes affecting maintenance and inspections:

o The province eliminated the 160-kilometre exemption for vehicle inspections. A truck driver now must be in possession of a valid inspection report for the truck and any towed trailer(s) at all times while the vehicle(s) is operated on a highway. The 160-kilometre exemption for buses remains unchanged.

o Schedules 3, 4, and 5 of Regulation 575 (Commercial Motor Vehicle Inspections) have been deleted. Carriers are now required to maintain their vehicles in accordance with Schedules 1, 2, and 4 of Regulation 611 (safety inspections) and Regulation 587 (Equipment). This change makes maintenance and safety inspection standards identical.

Reference is made to Regulation 587 because it contains a table listing the maximum allowable air brake pushrod travel for air chambers and vehicle stopping distances.

Copies of Regulations 575, 587 and 611, all made under the Highway Traffic Act, may be obtained from Publications Ontario, by phone at 416/326-5300, 1-800-668-9338 or by Internet at www.publications.gov.on.ca.