WINNIPEG, (Dec. 15, 2004) — The Alberta and Manitoba trucking associations are announcing that as of Jan, 1, 2005, amendments to the federal Motor Vehicle Transport Act will eliminate the requirement for truck operators to obtain and maintain operating authorities.

Operating authorities are currently granted by the Motor Transport Board to Public Service Vehicle (PSV) for-hire, extra/intra-provincial truck operators, under legislative authority of the federal MVTA.

The amendments will not require operating authorities, and will allow extra/intra-provincial carriers to operate with only a safety fitness certificate (SFC), for vehicles over 4,500 kgs. The SFC will become the legal instrument that will regulate and monitor all National Safety Code (NSC) carriers.

The province of Manitoba has already announced that operating authorities for trucks will no longer be required by any for-hire carrier. All carriers operating within the province will be required to have a valid safety rating from their base jurisdiction. For more information contact Transportation Safety & Regulation at 204/945-5322.