Alberta sets date for new vehicle weight threshold

CALGARY, (Jan. 26, 2004) — Alberta Transportation announced it plans to lower the vehicle weight threshold from 18,000 kg to 11,794 (26,000 lbs.) on May 1, 2004.

The amendment will effectively change the definition of commercial trucks that must comply under the National Safety Code. Currently, a commercial vehicle is categorized as any vehicle with a weight of 18,000 kg or greater, or a vehicle with a manufactured seating capacity of 11 or more persons including the driver. The seating capacity threshold will not change, however.

Alberta has been under pressure to make its weight threshold rules more consistent with the rest of Canada — although some other jurisdictions can be as low as 4,500 kg. The 11,794 kg threshold was chosen to coincide with the International Registration Plan — the North America-wide reciprocal vehicle registration program.

“We recognize it’s time we did some refining,” Roger Clarke, director of vehicle safety and carrier services at Alberta Transportation, told Today’s Trucking. “Although, I would suggest that some of the other (jurisdictions) should come up a bit. We don’t think 4,500 kg is a practical approach.”

Because of the new threshold, the Alberta Motor Transport Association is reminding carriers of the following:

— Carriers who register a commercial vehicle for a weight of 11,794 or greater must obtain an Alberta Safety Fitness Certificate, and that the vehicle will require inspection under the Commercial Vehicle Inspection Program (CVIP). Also, such carriers must ensure their written safety and maintenance plans includes policies and procedures for vehicles registered down to the new threshold and the drivers of those vehicles.

— Carriers operating a vehicle covered under the new threshold will be required to comply with drivers hours of service legislation for trips in Alberta. Convictions, inspections, and collisions involving vehicles covered under the new threshold will be monitored under Alberta Transportation’s NSC compliance program.

Moreover, some carrier permits may be impacted. Carriers should review their permits to determine if the threshold change has an impact on their permits.

Carriers have further questions should contact Wayne Lilley, manager of National Safety Code, by phone at 403/340-5021 or email at wayne.lilley@gov.ab.ca.