HALIFAX — Beginning on January 1, 2008, a three-year transition plan will be
developed to reduce enforcement officer discretion in Nova Scotia to 500 kg per axle group and cap the gross tolerance at 1,500 kg.

The application of officer discretion will go from being automatic to only for exceptional situations, at least for 12 months. That means, there will be no officer discretion above manufacturers’ maximum weight ratings for axles, tires, and all other vehicle components, and for the vehicle itself.

For axle groups, the calculation of overweight will be from the maximum regulated axle weight, and not from the maximum regulated axle group weight plus tolerance. For gross vehicle weights, the calculation of overweight will be from the maximum registered gross vehicle weight, and not from the maximum registered GVW plus tolerance.

The maximum GVW registered weights of A-train, B-train and C-train configurations will be increased to national maximum gross vehicle weight standards. Tractors hauling double trailer combinations will need to be re-registered for the increased maximum GVW.

Since Service Nova Scotia will not have the necessary administrative procedures in place to re-register 7 and 8 axle B-trains until early summer of 2008, the transition plan will also recognize such a delay. For double trailer combinations, there will be officer discretion for axle weights, but there will be no officer discretion above the maximum gross vehicle weights, except as noted above.

The maximum gross vehicle weight for All Other Highways will be increased from 38,500 kg to 41,500 kg. There will be officer discretion for axle weights, and there will be officer discretion on the maximum gross vehicle weights, but not above 41,500 kg.

For 6-axle tractor tridem-semi-trailers operating on B-train Routes, GVW will be increased to 47,500 kg, with no discretion above 47,500 kg. For 5-axle tractor tandem-semi-trailers operating on B-train Routes, there will be officer discretion for axle group weights, and for gross vehicle weights for a period of time, but not less than 12 months.

The Department will also be initiating an accelerated bridge review program to speed the designation of B-train Routes. Until the program is in place, B-train Route designation will continue to be on a case-by-case basis.

For more information contact Don Stonehouse, program manager, Weights and Dimensions Policy, 902-424-2490, e-mail: stonehdo@gov.ns.ca.