The Ministry of Transportation (MTO) has committed to moving ahead with a regulatory change to allow the use of longer boat-tails in Ontario.
The allowance of boat-tails will require a change to the vehicle weights and dimensions regulations, which may take some time. However, while regulatory development is underway MTO will begin deferring enforcement of boat-tails on commercial motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers effective August 11, 2014. The enforcement deferral will be in place until regulatory language is completed.
The changes forthcoming in Ontario will mirror recent modifications to the Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations made by Transport Canada, which have been several years in the making. The attached PDF outlines the dimensional criteria and details of the enforcement deferral MTO will follow for the use of longer boat tails. It is critical carriers’ suppliers follow these guidelines. It is understood that that many of the commercially available boat-tail designs in the United States will conform to the dimensions outlined by MTO and Transport Canada. Current regulations in Ontario and other Canadian jurisdictions only allow the use of 2-foot boat-tails. Please also be aware that all conspicuity marking requirements will continue to apply in all cases. In addition, the use of boat-tails on LCVs is permitted provided the required rear signage and conspicuity are not obstructed in any way.
The enforcement deferral can be viewed as an advanced notice of regulatory change that will allow carriers, if they choose, to commence utilizing longer boat tail technology while operating in Ontario effective August 11, 2014. The changes outlined by MTO will also allow carriers operating between Ontario and the U.S. to cross the border seamlessly with this technology. Saying this, the change by MTO does not in any way impact the legality of deploying longer boat-tails in other Canadian jurisdictions.
Until accommodations are made in other jurisdictions to accept the longer boat tail technology, carriers can operate with boat tails; however, they cannot be deployed – in other words, the devices would need to be folded up.