WHEREAS commercial vehicle regulations are very complex and, as such, may be confusing to drivers; AND WHEREAS commercial vehicle drivers may not have the most up-to-date knowledge of provincial legislation changes, including vehicle maintenance and trip inspection requirements; AND WHEREAS commercial vehicle drivers are not required to upgrade or improve their knowledge of commercial vehicle operation once licensed; AND WHEREAS the existing regulations place most of the burden of penalties on the driver while companies avoid liability: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the provincial government be requested to: - implement an accredited educational training program for companies to complete prior to obtaining a National Safety Code number; - re-assess driver licensing standards and implement a graduated commercial driver licensing program and scheduled re-certification knowledge and road test examinations; - establish specific accountability to the owners and shippers who contract, employ or otherwise tender service from truck operators.
MINISTRY OF TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE An accredited training program for NSC applicants is not being contemplated at this time. BC Trucking Association BCTA provides NSC training, including training for vehicle maintenance and trip inspection. Random testing through the NSC application process is currently conducted by the Commercial Vehicle Safety and Enforcement Branch CVSE. Applicants showing insufficient knowledge of their responsibilities are directed to BCTA for training. A Safety Guide is in place to assist carriers with knowledge of the NSC requirements. The Truck Compliance Advisory Panel considered the issue of shipper liability in its March 2009 Report. The Panel recommended that the CVSE work with industry to educate shippers about their responsibilities for highway safety. CVSE is following this recommendation by working with stakeholders to promote awareness of the joint accountabilities that exist throughout the supply chain and reinforce shipper responsibilities relating to vehicles leaving their facilities.
ICBC The Canada Trucking Human Resources Council CTHRC has recently released its final report Closing the Gap which looked at licensing, training, and testing standards across Canada. The report found that BC is one of only three Canadian jurisdictions that have dedicated commercial driver manuals for Class 1A license that provide detailed information on National Safety Code issues, provincial highway codes including weights and dimension, transporting dangerous goods, as well as attitudinal issues and performance as a professional driver. Driving Commercial Vehicles is available at icbc.com. The CTHRC is forming a steering committee to follow up recommendations in its report and BC has been included in this initiative. The results of this work will continue to contribute to analysis and review of BCs higher class licensing, training and testing models. At this time, the evidence to support the safety benefits of a graduated commercial licensing program is limited. An additional factor that needs to be considered is that such a program may pose a barrier to recruiting new drivers in an industry that is currently understaffed. ICBC is developing a Commercial Driving Strategy which may include a review of current licensing requirements. ICBC is also involved with the BC Trucking Associations development of a Professional Driver program to offer professional driver certification, including Class 1 training, as well as training relevant to enhancing professional qualifications and skills.