TORONTO – The Ontario Trucking Association approves of the Ministry of Transportation’s decision to implement a two-year grace period for harmonizing periodic safety inspections of trucks, trailers and converter dollies with the rest of the provinces.

The new standard kicks-off July 1.

OTA says it has received written confirmation this week that although the national standard will take effect by regulation on July 1, carriers will be able to choose for the first 24 months to have vehicles inspected according to either the current requirements (as per Regulation 611 Schedules 1, 2 and 4) the national standard.

"The two-year period will allow the industry to become familiar with the new inspection criteria and to incorporate them into their safety management systems," said OTA president David Bradley. "This should lead to an orderly, well-planned transition to the new requirements."