Notice for Canadian Drivers
I just received an official notice from the Nova Scotia dept of transport. It says that USA plans, as of July 1 2015, to enforce a medical certification requirement for holders of Canadian Class 5 (Class G, the basic license for operating a car) when that driver is operating a commercial vehicle in the United States. There are many types of vehicles that can be driven with such a license (my bus, for example) that might be commercial in the US. The notices says that:
Commercial vehicle includes any self-propelled or towed motor vehicle used in interstate commerce to transport passengers or property when the vehicle;
1. has a gross vehicle weight rating, or gross combination weight rating or gross vehicle weight or gross combined vehicle weight over 4,536 Kg (10,001 lbs) whichever is greater,
2. Is designed or used to transport more than 8 passengers (including the driver) for compensation.
3. Is designed or used to transport more than 15 passengers including the driver and is not used to transport passengers for compensation, or
4. Is used in transporting placarded hazardous material. (I paraphrased this one).
Key points - the officer gets to decide if you are engaged in interstate transport, and you have to argue the point in court if you so desire. There doesn't seem to be a way to get a Canadian Class 5 or Class G license with a medical. In Nova Scotia, about all of the "commercial" type licences ( I have a Class 3 Nova Scotia license that requires a medical) need a medical, but in Ontario a Class D license, very common to drive a converted bus, does NOT require a medical and so would not qualify under this new US regime.
Final point. "Drivers who choose not to obtain a Canadian commercial driver's license must comply with medical certification requirements by obtaining and carrying medical certification in the US. The US FMCSA provides a national registry of Certified Medical Examiners here: https://nationalregistry.fmcsa.dot.gov/NRPublicUI/home.seam
Hope this helps someone, I'm going to cross post on all the forums I go to. What a PITA.
Brian
Commercial vehicle includes any self-propelled or towed motor vehicle used in interstate commerce to transport passengers or property when the vehicle;
1. has a gross vehicle weight rating, or gross combination weight rating or gross vehicle weight or gross combined vehicle weight over 4,536 Kg (10,001 lbs) whichever is greater,
2. Is designed or used to transport more than 8 passengers (including the driver) for compensation.
3. Is designed or used to transport more than 15 passengers including the driver and is not used to transport passengers for compensation, or
4. Is used in transporting placarded hazardous material. (I paraphrased this one).
Key points - the officer gets to decide if you are engaged in interstate transport, and you have to argue the point in court if you so desire. There doesn't seem to be a way to get a Canadian Class 5 or Class G license with a medical. In Nova Scotia, about all of the "commercial" type licences ( I have a Class 3 Nova Scotia license that requires a medical) need a medical, but in Ontario a Class D license, very common to drive a converted bus, does NOT require a medical and so would not qualify under this new US regime.
Final point. "Drivers who choose not to obtain a Canadian commercial driver's license must comply with medical certification requirements by obtaining and carrying medical certification in the US. The US FMCSA provides a national registry of Certified Medical Examiners here: https://nationalregistry.fmcsa.dot.gov/NRPublicUI/home.seam
Hope this helps someone, I'm going to cross post on all the forums I go to. What a PITA.
Brian
