CALGARY, (Aug. 30, 2004) — This week is the deadline for Alberta carriers and truckers to obtain a Safety Fitness Certificate (SFC) and comply with other NSC standards for vehicles with a registered weight of 11,794 kg (26,000 lb) or greater.

It is anticipated that the threshold change — from18,000 kg to 11,794 kg — affects approximately 17,000 vehicles, of which approximately 60 per cent are with carriers that currently have SFC’s. As Today’s Trucking reported earlier this year, these carriers must change their policies and procedures to incorporate new vehicles, and their drivers, into their safety programs by September 1, 2004.

The threshold change — first announced in May by Roger Clarke, Alberta Transportation’s Executive Director of Vehicle Safety & Carrier Services — will affect approximately 5,000 new carriers who previously did not operate vehicles above the18,000 kg threshold. Carriers should have already received a temporary SFC (in the form of a letter) and a permit in the mail. The permit will provide exemptions to some NSC standards to allow carriers time to make adjustments to their safety programs, Clarke said.

The major NSC standards requiring compliance include: Driver’s Hours of Service legislation — log books and recording driving, on-duty, and off-duty time; Regular Commercial Vehicle Inspection Program (CVIP) inspections — currently required annually in Alberta; Written Safety and Vehicle Maintenance Plans, including pre trip inspection; and Complete Driver and Vehicle Files.

The 11,794 kg threshold was chosen to coincide with the International Registration Plan — the North America-wide reciprocal vehicle registration program. Some other Canadian jurisdictions can be as low as 4,500 kg.

For more information on Alberta’s National Safety Code program visit the Alberta Transportation website at www.trans.gov.ab.ca