Notice for Canadian Drivers

[bevans6]

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

[Fred Mc]

It seems to me the key phrase is "for compensation" which most motorhome owners are not doing.

[bobofthenorth]

I don't have a big problem with this Brian. The real issue here is the lack of any national consistency in Canadian drivers licensing. I don't object to a requirement for enhanced standards for operators of "heavy" vehicles. I'm not sure what those standards should consist of but medical testing seems like a reasonable component. We're all only one fatal accident away from much more strict regulations over licensing and registration.

[TomC]

At least in California, a class C (normal driver's license) driver may drive a 3 axle house car up to 40ft (no mention on type of brakes) and pull up to a 10,000lb pull trailer behind or a 15,000lb 5th wheel trailer. A class C driver may also drive up to a 26,000lb commercial vehicle (again no mention of brakes) and pull either a 10,000lb pull trailer or a 15,000lb 5th wheel trailer also. For those driving a converted bus over 40ft, you must have a class B non commercial license with medical card. For those pulling a trailer over 10,000lb or a 5th wheel over 15,000lb you must have a class A non commercial license with medical card.

Whatever the rule is in your state, is what should be enforced on the road. For instance, New Mexico states a commercial vehicle is any over 26,000lb. New York states a commercial vehicle is any over 19,000lb. Personally, I keep my Class A commercial license current with medical card. Good Luck, TomC

[bevans6]

These are apparently federal US regulations, not state regulations.  I have no idea if the federal regulations trump the state, or if federal are only applicable on interstates, or whatever.  I went to the web site for the medical information, and from July 1 onwards only medical offices listed as approved on their website will be allowed to issue any CDL medical approvals for US drivers, so you need to check to see if your doctor is on their list, I guess.

The letter I got copied this:  "49 Code of Federal Regulations Part 390.5 defines a CMV as follows:", and what I included in my original post is what follows.  It defines a vehicle over 10,001 lbs as commercial if used in interstate commerce, as well as the other things.

Brian

[eagle19952]

Here is my guess...they are looking for ISIS

[Jim Eh.]

At least in California, a class C (normal driver's license) driver may drive a 3 axle house car up to 40ft (no mention on type of brakes) and pull up to a 10,000lb pull trailer behind or a 15,000lb 5th wheel trailer. A class C driver may also drive up to a 26,000lb commercial vehicle (again no mention of brakes) and pull either a 10,000lb pull trailer or a 15,000lb 5th wheel trailer also. For those driving a converted bus over 40ft, you must have a class B non commercial license with medical card. For those pulling a trailer over 10,000lb or a 5th wheel over 15,000lb you must have a class A non commercial license with medical card.

Just found out yesterday that the regulations in my province are very similar. Always thought a Class 1 of class 3 with air endorsement was required for a coach-RV conversion. And on the other hand if you are pulling a 5th wheel (RV or otherwise) you DO need a min class 3 license (over a certain weight). Here a license for a regular passenger car is a class 5.

[RoyJ]

Just found out yesterday that the regulations in my province are very similar. Always thought a Class 1 of class 3 with air endorsement was required for a coach-RV conversion. And on the other hand if you are pulling a 5th wheel (RV or otherwise) you DO need a min class 3 license (over a certain weight). Here a license for a regular passenger car is a class 5.

Here in BC, if you're towing a trailer over 10,000 lbs you can get a "house trailer endorsement".

For myself, I got a Class 1 so I'll be covered in the worst case. If I get a truck conversion one day, all it takes is one mis-informed cop to stop me dead in my tracks.