Changes to Schedule 1 of Pre Trip Inspection Regulations
On January 1, 2015, without much fanfare, Ontario Regulation 199/07 was updated. This update tinkered with the rules for inspections to keep things inline with changes to the National Safety Code.
Most of the changes were to modify the wording related to buses. And some of the exemptions have changed slightly. However, changes were made to the daily pre trip inspection schedules which will have the biggest impact.
Schedule 1
For those of you using Schedule 1, these changes are minor, but it is important that you are aware of them. You will need to get a copy of the schedule that is up to date until the schedules found inside the covers of log books and pre-trip books are updated.
[stextbox id=”grey” mode=”js” shadow=”true”]MTO has informed us that there will be a 1 year learning period. Warnings will be given during the learning period.[/stextbox]
Some of the changes just add clarity, others add new defects and one moves a defect from the minor class to the major (emergency brakes).
Changes to the Schedules
Schedule 1, 2 and 3
- In the Cab category (Sch 1 only), the wording is changed to “any cab or sleeper door fails to close securely”
- In the Hydraulic Brake System category (Sch 1 and 2) and inoperative parking brake changes from a minor defect to a major one
- In the Suspension category wording is added to further define the term damaged with respect to the air bag defect – “(patched, cut, bruised, cracked to braid or deflated)“
- In the Tires category the leaking tire minor defect is modified to include only leaks that cannot be heard while a new major defect is added for tire leaks that can be heard or felt
- Schedule 3 title changes the words “MOTOR COACHES” to “INTER-CITY BUSES” to be consistent with the changes throughout the regulation
Other Schedules
There are also modifications to Schedule 4, 5 and 6. If you need more detail on those changes, please contact us.
Are these Schedule 1 changes just for Ontario or for all Provinces
Great question Gary.
The changes to the Ontario regs are to keep them in line with the National Safety Code standard. Many of the other provinces just reference the NSC from their regs rather than creating their own version as Ontario does, so any changes to the NSC would automatically be incorporated there. I haven’t looked at the regs for the other provinces in a while, so I’m not sure which ones will have the new version of Schedule 1 (and the other schedules for bus companies). Eventually, all the provinces and territories should be moving to the new schedules though.
Hi Bill, just a reminder MTO date for enforcement of the New Schedule 1 Trip Inspection Reports is December 31,2015
Thanks Rob. I have a note that there is a 1 year warning period, but somehow the formatting got messed up and it wasn’t very noticeable. I fixed that!
was wondering what the regulations were on mechanics doing a pre trip on vehicles
Hi George. The regulations allow anyone to do a pre-trip inspection if they are qualified to be able to tell whether or not defects exist, so a mechanic would be fine. However, the person doing the inspection must put their name and sign it. Then the driver needs to sign it as well before driving the vehicle. If any charges are laid based on the inspection report, they will be against the driver (or in some cases, the company or both). The mechanic will never be the one to get charged unless they are driving the vehicle when it is stopped.
Keeping your truck well inspected for its delivery is an important matter. Such as to maintain the safety on the road. Conducting a proper inspection will help you avoid problems with your truck drivers and for your truck also.
Hi Bill I was wondering if you have seen any regulations regarding where a commercial pretrip is aloud to take place? I have had questions from employees, is doing a pretrip on a public roadway ok?
Hi Michael
There are no instructions in the inspection regulation on where an inspection can be done. I would think that an inspection on a public roadway could be unsafe and possibly illegal, depending on which roadway and what part of the roadway. I’ve not seen any regulations that speak to this, but the Highway Traffic Act and regulations are rather large and complex. There may be prohibitions there. Also, municipal governments may have bylaws that come into play, not to mention laws that may be different in other jurisdictions (i.e. other provinces, territories or states).
does an engine service light on = a major defect when completing a pre or post trip inspection?
Hi Robin
An engine light is not a defect for purposes of Schedule 1. It is only an indication of potential mechanical issues and Schedule 1 relates to safety issues.
It would be considered a minor defect if the check engine light didn’t work properly, but not just for being on.
My son has to do his D practical driving test and the lady told me there is a schedule 1 that pertains to major and minor defects . He has read about which is applicable, however there is nothing that spells out corrective measures between the 2 defects. EG supposed the horn dosen’t work which is a minor defect. Does he have it immediately fixed , is there a time limit, etc . apparently this is what they are asking the people being tested
For any minor defect does it spell out the corrective measure, same for Major defects. THANKS
Hi Mike
Your son will need to get some proper training with respect to inspections in order understand this more fully. The Schedule is just a part of the legislation that identifies what are considered defects (i.e. problems). You cannot drive a CMV with a major defect period. You can drive with a minor defect provided it is properly recorded on your inspection report, but it should be fixed in a reasonable amount of time. There is no specific time frame given, but sooner is always better.
There is, unfortunately, a lack of proper understanding of the regulations in the areas of daily vehicle inspections and hours of service in the industry. There is a lot of misinformation out there based on old regulations, out of province laws, speculation and misinterpretation. It is too easy to pass the tests without knowing this stuff although that is changing with the A license – now a course is required before taking the test. Hopefully that will trickle down to the B to F class licenses as well.