New Saskatchewan pre-trip rules to take affect soon

REGINA — In a few weeks, all commercial vehicles operating in Saskatchewan over 5,000 kg and any trailers in transit must be inspected by the driver or a qualified person every 24 hours.

Also starting July 1, the carrier must supply a list of inspection items of the regulations to the person doing the inspection. Items that must be checked during each inspection, as well as details of what constitutes major or minor defects, can be found at the provincial Highways and Transportation website (link below).

The inspection must be recorded on an inspection report that must be carried in the vehicle and produced for inspection on request. The report form is not prescribed in regulation and could take any form, provided it includes all the required information such as: license plate and unit number of the vehicle; Carrier’s name; date, time, and location of inspection; and a statement signed by the person conducting the inspection and by the person driving the vehicle.

When defects are detected they must be noted on the inspection report and reported to the carrier. Defects must be repaired before the next trip inspection.

If major defects are encountered the vehicle must not be driven until the defects are repaired.

Drivers are required to forward copies of their trip inspection reports to their carrier every 20 days and carriers are required to keep the reports on file for 6 months.

Two- and three-axle farm trucks when used in farming operations and vehicles responding to natural disasters are exempt from the regulations.