Risk & Business Magazine Gifford Associates Spring 2017 | Page 31

MTO CHANGES “...road-building machines are “self-propelled vehicles of a design commonly used in the construction or maintenance of highways”...” kg will require a valid Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration (CVOR) certificate. Along with this change in status to a commercial vehicle, operators and drivers will be subject to the requirements already in place for commercial vehicles including safety inspections, daily inspections, recordkeeping, and recording hours of service. Vehicles no longer considered to be road-building machines will also have to be registered, receive licence plates with valid stickers, and obtain motor vehicle insurance. Some of these changes may come as a shock to many operators who are used to facing fewer requirements on their vehicles. As such, getting everything in order (including insurance for the vehicles) can be a daunting task. Fortunately, there is still plenty of time to take stock of what vehicles you have and which ones may be affected. Highway Traffic Act (HTA) Changes— Effective January 1, 2017 • All tow truck operators must register under the Ministry of Transportation’s Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration (CVOR) system. • • The definition of “commercial motor vehicle” in the HTA has been amended, and a new regulation has been developed to define “commercial motor vehicle and tow truck.” Light Duty Vehicles (LDVs) registered on remote islands in Ontario will be exempted from emissions test requirements for vehicle registration renewals. The proposed exemption will apply to LDVs registered to remote islands that are not connected by road, bridge, or causeway to the mainland or another island; are not accessible to motor vehicles by ferry year round; and have distinct postal codes that are not shared with any other area. • The use of bicycle traffic signals to direct bicycle traffic at signalized intersections will be allowed. • An authority will be created to prescribe in regulation a bicycle symbol for use in bicycle traffic signal systems. • Cyclists will be required to obey the bicycle signal lane lights at AND HOW THEY COULD AFFECT YOUR BUSINESS intersections where both bicycle and regular traffic signals apply to the same lane. • Amendments to the Traffic Control Signal System will provide the description and placement requirements of the new bicycle traffic signals. Consulting an insurance professional who has the expertise in Risk Management, Fleet Transportation, and Construction is always a good first step, as he or she will not only be aware of the changes which are being made to the relevant laws but will also know what you need to do in terms of registration and insurance. Whether you run a small business that moves goods across the city or country or across borders, working with an experienced insurance professional who understands your business is key. Steve Montcalm has been a specialist in the industry for 20 years. For a review of how these changes could affect you or your business, Steve would be happy to help and can be contacted at 613- 596-9101 ext. 341 or by email at Steve. [email protected]. BY: STEVE MONTCALM, FLEET SPECIALIST AND PARTNER AT GIFFORD ASSOCIATES 31