No CDLs, driver exams, or IRP registration during strike

TORONTO, (March 26, 2002) — The Ontario Trucking Association is reminding truckers that no new IRP registrations can be made nor will overdimensional permits be issued as a result of the Ontario Public Services Union that went on strike March 13.

The government will consider existing International Registration Plan registrations that expire during the strike to be valid until the strike is over, and has written to all other IRP jurisdictions requesting that they also recognize existing registrations that have expired during the strike. But no new IRP registrations can be made until the strike is over.

Under IRP rules, carriers register their vehicles in their home or base state and file quarterly mileage reports to that state. The state then apportions fees according to the carrier’s mileage in each jurisdiction.

OTA is trying to find a way for new IRP plates or something equivalent to be issued, but as of now there is no way to obtain a new registration, the association said.

For vehicles that are currently registered under IRP, a regulation has been passed that extends the validation beyond the March 31, 2002, date until further notice. Truckers travelling through other IRP member jurisdictions may use their PRP plates with cab cards, which expire March 31. They can may obtain regulation commercial series plates and permit with a validation sticker, which expires June 2002.

There are three documents issued by the Government of Ontario concerning services that will be affected by the strike, available for download from OTA’s website. The OTA is recommending carriers give these printouts to drivers who are running in IRP jurisdictions.

Call the Ministry of Transportation’s IRP office at 416/663-1394. For overweight/oversize permit information call 905/704-2540.