- Details
- Category: Bulletin
E-Bulletin
May 4/2023
B.C. updates to Provincial ELD regulations, updated contravention (fine tables), and various other Motor Vehicle Act Regulations
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/driving-and-transportation/cvse/bulletins-notices-circulars/national-safety-code/bulletins/nsc-bulletin-01-2023-elds-in-bc.pdf
Warmest regards,
Annette Kieft
Executive Assistant | Member Services Coordinator
Private Motor Truck Council of Canada
225 Main Street E, Suite 5 | Milton, ON | L9T 1N9
T: 905-827-0587 x101 | F: 905-827-8212
E: info@pmtc.ca | W: www.pmtc.ca
- Details
- Category: Bulletin
For Immediate Release:
Tuesday April 4, 2023 - Private Motor Truck Council of Canada Now Offering NATMI Courses
The Private Motor Truck Council of Canada (PMTC) in partnership with KRTS Transportation Specialists Inc. will begin offering 2 courses in 2023. Volvo Canada has been confirmed as the host site sponsor. The North American Transportation Management Institute (NATMI) exists to improve the performance and production of professionals directly responsible for effective fleet and driver performance - risk managers, safety and security directors, maintenance managers, and commercial driver trainers. For the companies who employ NATMI Certification program graduates’ outcomes include:
- Reduced accidents and injuries
- Lower vehicle maintenance
- Improve driver retention
- Improved operational efficiency
- Better management systems
The first two courses the PMTC will be offering is the Certified Driver Trainer (CDT) and the Certified Director of Safety (CDS). All courses will be delivered by KRTS Transportation Specialists Inc.
Matt Richardson, Vice President of KRTS is pleased with the new partnership, he commented “KRTS is a proud member and supporter of the PMTC, and this partnership allows us to bring the benefits of two excellent educational programs from NATMI (CDT and CDS) to the PMTC membership. For years, KRTS has delivered the NATMI programs to industry professionals across Canada seeing great returns for both the professional development of participants, and the added value those participants are able to bring to their fleets.”
Mike Millian, President of the PMTC says “ The PMTC is known to be strong in our commitment to safety and best practices. Industry professionals that take these courses will be armed with the knowledge and tools necessary to perform their jobs to the best of their abilities, which in turn will improve safety for their companies and their employees. Partnering with KRTS to have the NATMI course delivered will provide the best value to our members.”
Volvo Canada and the PMTC will host for the first two programs at their offices at 2100 Derry Road West, Suite 410, Mississauga Ontario.
The dates for the CDT program are October 18th and 19th. The Certified Director of Safety Course will be scheduled with dates announced in the near future.
Steve Woodward, Fleet Sales Manager says “At Volvo Trucks safety is one of our core values and top priorities. We are proud to host KRTS Transportation Specialists Inc. and NATMI to deliver courses in partnership with the PMTC at our Canadian headquarters. Volvo Trucks is a long-time supporter of the PMTC and their efforts with private fleets in Canada.”
NATMI Programs are accredited by the University of Central Florida, NATMI’s university affiliation has been continuous since the program started at Pennsylvania State University in 1944. The university also monitors course development to ensure it meets university - level instructional standard.
Jeff Arnold, Executive Director of NATMI commented “Private fleets represent a large share of the participants in NATMI programs, and we are excited about the opportunity to support the PMTC in providing professional development for this vital sector of the industry. The PMTC is in great hands with KRTS Transportation Specialists Inc. as they are a leading provider of NTMI certification in Canada, whose team provides high-quality, professional instruction.”
For more information about the programs being offered by NATMI contact Kim Sytsma-Hill at 800-771-8171, or email ksytsmahill@krway.com.
To register for the October 18th and 19th CDT program, click here, call 905-827-0587, email info@pmtc.ca or visit pmtc.ca.
Mike Millian
President
Private Motor Truck Council of Canada
225 Main Street East
Unit #5, Milton, On
L9T 1N9
Office: 905-827-0587
Cell: 519-932-0902
Fax: 905-827-8212
- Details
- Category: Bulletin
For Immediate Release
Ontario proposing changes to the air brake license renewal process and knowledge test requirements.
Recently the Ontario Ministry of Transportations posted a proposal to amend the process of a driver renewing their Z endorsement for air brakes on their Ontario driver’s license.
The current process requires a driver to attend a Drive Test Center prior to their license expiring, and then write and pass a knowledge test in order to maintain the Z endorsement on their driver’s license. The process is the same for those who have a commercial license class, such as a Class A or D, among others. The knowledge test allows drivers to demonstrate they have the basic knowledge required to operate and inspect a commercial motor vehicle and its air brake system.
Commercial drivers’ knowledge of the air brake system and inspecting its parts and operation continue to be an issue in Ontario and all of Canada. In 2022, stats released by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance highlight the need for improved air brake knowledge. In their road check blitz in 2022, 48,966 level 1 and 2 inspections were completed in Canada and the US combined. 22.8% of vehicles were taken out of service for defects. Of the vehicles taken out of service, vehicles inspected in the USA, 36.9% had defects in the braking systems. In Canada, the numbers were even worse, with 48.4% of vehicles taken out of service having brake defects. This by far represented the highest percentage of defects found, and this continues to be the case year after year. These numbers indicate a major issue with maintenance and failure of the air brake system as well as inspections being conducted prior to the beginning of a day’s work.
While these numbers indicate we need to change the way things are currently being done, the PMTC believes removing the knowledge test is a step that should not be taken, and in fact has the real opportunity of reducing drivers’ knowledge of the air brake system and reducing safety on our roadways. The PMTC has no issue with the learning modules and believe this is a good opportunity to increase a drivers’ knowledge of the air brake system, the concern we have is removing the knowledge verification. Allowing a driver to complete learning modules at home, with no other checkpoints or verification in place is opening up a real opportunity for fraud. How will you verify the person doing the module is in fact the license holder? How can you verify that they are reviewing the information and taking the knowledge in, and not just going through the motions and advancing through the program? No matter what type of secure online system you have in place, their will be no fool proof way to ensure the person required to take the modules is in fact the correct person, short of having a staff member sitting online with the person and verifying the person on the screen is in fact the license holder. The only true way to verify the license holder has the minimum knowledge required is to have them attend a Drive Test Center and perform the knowledge test in person. Adding the knowledge modules is a good step, but that step should not come along with a removal of the knowledge verification process if we expect it to improve safety.
As for the Ministries argument that this is removing a barrier, that does not really hold water. The driver is still going to be required to go to Drive Test to renew their license and do the written test if they have any other commercial class of license. The only burden this is removing is the requirement of the driver to pass the Z knowledge test. With many of our members holding all classes of commercial licenses, we feel if you are unable to pass the basic requirements of a knowledge test, we really don’t believe you should be on our highways as you do not have the basic knowledge required to inspect and operate a vehicle with an air brake system.
The PMTC is encouraging the province to reconsider this proposal, and we encourage you to comment on the regulatory posting to ensure your views are heard as well. The posting can be asked through the link below and is open for comments until March 16th.
https://www.ontariocanada.com/registry/view.do?language=en&postingId=43451
Mike Millian
President
Private Motor Truck Council of Canada
225 Main Street East
Unit #5, Milton, On
L9T 1N9
Office: 905-827-0587
Cell: 519-932-0902
Fax: 905-827-8212
