TORONTO, Ont. — Revisions to the Commercial Vehicle Wheel Service training program are now complete thanks to the joint efforts of the Ontario Trucking Association (OTA) and the Ontario Tire Dealers Association (OTDA).  The revisions build on the program that was initially launched in 1996.

The new program materials, entitled “Practical Tire & Wheel Service,” are offered in response to Ontario regulations that require all individuals who remove or replace wheels on heavy trucks and truck trailers having a manufacturer’s gross weight rating of 9,000 kg or higher to be certified. All certificates issued since 1996 remain valid. Persons who wish to take refresher training can also attend the revised training courses.

The certification training program consists of 17 learning modules and allows individuals to become certified at one of four different levels. Officials say the levels are based on the specific needs of the individual and based on the job tasks each person is required to perform. Each of the basic certification levels are very limited in scope and are intended for drivers and other individuals who must perform certain job functions as listed below.

The levels are as follows:

-Basic I. – Inflation (Modules 1-3) Appropriate for drivers and other individuals whose job descriptions require them to re-inflate tires, but not to perform any other work related to tires or wheels.

-Basic II. – Inflation & Checking (Modules 1-5) Appropriate for drivers and other individuals whose job descriptions require them to re-inflate tires and/or perform checks of wheel fastener security, but not to perform any other work related to tires or wheels.

-Basic III. – Remove and Replace (Modules 1-9) Appropriate for drivers and other individuals whose job descriptions require them to remove and replace mounted tire and rim assemblies on their vehicles.

-Advanced – Service Technician (Modules 1-17) Appropriate for individuals whose job descriptions involve removal and replacements of tires and wheels from vehicles, tire de-mounting and mounting, and tire repairs.

To become certified, an individual must attend the appropriate level of training delivered by a qualified instructor and successfully complete the knowledge test. For more information, contact the OTDA at 866-375-6832 or www.otda.com, or the OTA at 416-249-7401 or www.ontruck.org/WheelTraining.