Your Input Please: proposal to exempt personal pickups from annual inspection

Regulation 611 (Safety Inspections)

Ministry of Transportation is proposing to exempt pickup trucks and trailers used exclusively for personal use from the requirement to have an annual inspection.
Currently as per Ontario Regulation 611, an inspection at a licensed motor vehicle inspection station is required annually for commercial vehicle(s) (even if used for personal use) if any of the following conditions are met:
• The registered gross weight of the truck exceeds 4,500 kg;
• The gross (actual) weight of the truck/trailer combination (either empty or when loaded) exceeds 4,500 kg; or
• The maximum operating weight of the truck and/or truck and trailer combination as specified by the manufacturer (known as the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) exceeds 4,500 kg.
The proposed exemption from annual inspection would apply to a pickup truck or pickup truck and trailer combination that:
• is being used for personal purposes without compensation; and
• is not carrying commercial cargo, tools or equipment of a type normally used for commercial purposes
For the purposes of this proposal, a pickup truck means a vehicle that:
• has a manufacturer’s gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 6,500 kg or less, and
• is fitted with either the original, unmodified box that was installed by the manufacturer or a unmodified replacement box that duplicates the one originally installed by the manufacturer
At the same time, the ministry is proposing to amend the weight threshold from 6,000 kg GVWR to 6,500 kg GVWR for other personal use exemptions already granted under the Highway Traffic Act related to:
• Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration
• Daily Inspection
• Hours of Service
• Class of driver’s license for towed house trailers
The proposed changes are intended to treat personal use pickup trucks and personal use pickup-trailer combinations equally, reducing stakeholder confusion, and minimizing burden and cost for vehicle owners.
The 6,500 kg GVWR threshold is intended to distinguish pickup trucks most typically used by vehicle owners for personal use and to occasionally tow personal trailers (e.g. recreational, boat, utility), but exclude larger vehicles used for commercial purposes.
The Ministry of Transportation is seeking input on this proposal.
1. Is the 6,500 kg GVWR threshold appropriate to distinguish pickup trucks most typically used by vehicle owners for personal use to occasionally tow personal trailers from the larger types of pickup trucks typically used for commercial purposes?
2. Should the proposal include pickup trucks with a higher or lower GVWR than the proposed 6,500 kg limit for personal use? If so, what should the maximum rating be and why? If not, what concerns are raised with such a proposal?
3. Are there any other distinguishing vehicle characteristics (e.g. axles, number of axles, length of trailer etc.) that the ministry should consider with respect to an exemption for pickup trucks and trailers used exclusively for personal use?

19-MTO014

May 2, 2019

June 1, 2019

Carrier Safety Policy Office
Carrier Safety and Enforcement Branch
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St Catharines, ON L2R 7R4