Extended Semitrailer Program Conditions

Overview

Extended semitrailers are up to 18.44 m (60 feet, 6 inches) in length, providing up to 2.24 metres more length than existing conventional 16.20 metre (53 foot) semitrailers. Extended semitrailers can help improve productivity by reducing the number of trips required to move lighter, bulkier cargo. There are no additional impacts to road infrastructure as weight allowances are not changed from current regulated limits.

Dynamic performance of the extended semitrailer is generally consistent with Safe, Productive, and Infrastructure-Friendly (SPIF) performance standards. Extended semitrailers express a higher-than-normal front and rear trailer outswing. The extended semitrailer Program is allowed under Special Vehicle Configuration (SVC) permit, subject to the conditions outlined below.

Participating carriers, drivers and vehicles are held to high standards. Extended semitrailers operate under carefully developed controls and are closely monitored and enforced.

General conditions

1. Carriers must enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Ministry of Transportation (MTO), signifying that they accept responsibilities as outlined in this document.
2. Carriers are required to submit an operational plan to MTO, addressing:
   • details of how the carrier will deliver driver training and retain evaluation records
   • details of how the carrier will assess destination locations and retain assessment records
   • details of how the carrier will ensure that drivers, dispatchers, and other responsible employees are aware of destination assessment results, including how they will communicate potentially challenging situations to the drivers
3. Carriers are limited to 4 permits for their first calendar year in the program. After a year, they may apply for additional permits. MTO reserves the right to deny additional permits.
4. The number of permits allotted on a per carrier basis will be limited and will increase over time, as follows:
   • 8 permits for their second year of operations
   • 16 permits for their third year of operations
   • 32 permits for their fourth year of operations
   • 64 permits for their fifth year of operations
   • Any number of permits, once their fifth year of operation has been completed
5. Carriers who have already been operating extended semitrailers as part of the previous trial operations will be treated based on their years of operating extended semitrailers within the Trial, commencing January 2024.
6. The original permit (not a copy) must accompany the semitrailer and be produced on demand to a police officer or enforcement officer appointed to carry out the provisions of the Highway Traffic Act (HTA).
7. Permits may be transferred between qualifying vehicles operated by the same permit holder, providing that the tractors are registered to the same commercial vehicles operator’s registration (CVOR) or national safety certificate (NSC) registration number specified on the permit.
8. Permits will list the Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) of each extended semitrailer in operation, allowing for the carrier to transfer permits between semitrailers listed.
9. The permit cannot be combined with any other permit for width, height, length, or weight.
10. Carriers must identify one or more personnel as a Primary Contact and must notify MTO of any contact changes immediately. Contact information and updates must include name, title, address, telephone, and email address.
11. MTO may request proof from involved carriers and their partners of equipment to be used, prior to granting permits. This request would require the carrier to provide proof to verify compliance with the Motor Vehicle Safety Act (Transport Canada) (MVSA), anti-lock braking system (ABS), and electronic stability control (ESC). This proof would likely consist of the manufacturer’s specifications on the tractor and/or semitrailer, but might also include, and may not be limited to, requests for proof of labels of compliance (National Safety Mark (NSM), vehicle alterer’s, intermediate, and final stage labels. Finally, if deemed necessary, this could also include confirmation by Transport Canada through MTO that the vehicle is acceptable to MVSA standards. This request will be at the discretion of MTO staff.

Ongoing monitoring and evaluation

1. Participants agree to maintain a record of each trip operated under the permit on an MTO supplied Excel spreadsheet. Each month’s data is to be submitted to MTO electronically within 10 business days of month’s end to extendedsemitrailer.monitoring@ontario.ca. MTO will treat all data from individual carriers as confidential, although aggregate results may be reported.
2. Recorded trip information will include time and date of dispatch, origin, destination, and distance.
3. MTO reserves the right to suspend one or more of a carrier’s permits, revoke a carrier’s permit privileges or cancel the program at any time.
4. Permit may be revoked or suspended for any breach of any permit condition, for non-compliance with program conditions or for non-compliance with the HTA.
5. Permits automatically become null and void if a permit holder’s carrier safety rating falls to Conditional or Unsatisfactory.
6. MTO reserves the right to withdraw approval or modify conditions related to any highway route or origin/destination location.

Carrier qualifications

1. Carriers with “Conditional” or “Unsatisfactory” Carrier Safety Ratings may not qualify for permits. Carriers whose rating drops to “Conditional” or “Unsatisfactory” must immediately cease operations.
2. Carrier will maintain a minimum $5 million public liability insurance coverage.
3. Carrier has at least 5 years of prior trucking experience.
4. Carriers may be required to provide documentation with the permit application to support their qualifications.

Driver qualifications

1. Drivers must have a valid Class A driver's licence with Z (air brake) endorsement, or equivalent from another jurisdiction.
2. Carriers must provide the appropriate training to their drivers on the operation of the extended semitrailer:
   • Driver trainers must provide a full day of classroom, yard, and on-road training and evaluation of extended trailer drivers. Trainers must complete evaluation checklists to be maintained on file for MTO review, upon request.
   • Classroom training should include a full review of program conditions and an explanation of how the extended semitrailer’s suitability for delivery locations is assessed (including how potentially challenging situations are communicated to drivers). There should be a full explanation of the vehicle size and challenges the driver will face in its operation.
   • Yard training must include a complete walk-around inspection of the configuration and an opportunity for the driver to gain in-yard experience manoeuvring the vehicle and backing into docks. On-road training should be along a pre-planned route that includes multiple turns of the type a driver is likely to encounter. The trainer should evaluate whether the driver can competently and confidently handle this large vehicle.
3. As part of the monthly reporting on operations, the record of each trip will include the names of the driver.
4. Driver must have minimum of 5 years provable tractor semitrailer driving experience.

Areas of operation

1. Carriers must assess the suitability of each destination location for extended trailers, retain a copy of the assessment on file, and ensure drivers and dispatchers have access to assessment results.
2. Driver must operate the configuration in a fashion that does not cause damage to highway infrastructure, including interference with curbs, lights or other highway fixtures.
3. Carrier is responsible for any damage to highway infrastructure.
4. Extended semitrailers must report to any truck inspection station/commercial vehicle inspection facility on the same basis as other commercial vehicles.

Special equipment requirements

1. Wide Right Turns sign, with a minimum size of 800 cm², mounted between 1.2 metres and 2.0 metres above the road surface at the rear of the trailer. In a container chassis, running empty, the sign may be mounted as low as 0.70 metres above the road surface.
2. The tractor and trailer must be equipped with a functioning ABS, compliant with Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 121.
3. The tractor must be equipped with a functioning ESC system that, as a minimum, monitors steering angle, yaw and lateral acceleration and selectively applies the tractor and semitrailer brakes when necessary to maintain vehicle control.

Speed restriction

1. Operators will be subject to strict speed enforcement by police. Travel under the permit must be at safe operating speeds, ensuring posted speed limits are adhered to at all times.

Cargo restrictions

1. Carriers and drivers must employ federal and provincial mandated practices of transporting dangerous goods.
2. Carriers and drivers who transport dangerous goods must meet requirements set out in Ontario’s Dangerous Goods Transportation Act.
3. Carriers and drivers may be required to provide documentation to support adherence to Ontario’s Dangerous Goods Transportation Act.
4. Only intermediate bulk containers (IBC), sometimes referred to as IBC tanks, up to 2,082 litres (550 gallons) in capacity, may be used for the bulk transfer of liquid freight. Otherwise, only empty liquid containers/tanks (that is, vertical storage tanks, leg tanks, etc.) may be transported on extended semitrailers.

Notification of collisions/incidents/infractions

1. The carrier must provide email notification to MTO immediately following any reportable collision. Email addresses are provided to participants.
2. Within 10 business days of any reportable collision (as specified in s199 of the Highway Traffic Act), the carrier must provide a copy of the accident report as well as the carrier's written explanation of the collision circumstances. Email, fax and mail addresses are provided to participants.
3. Within 10 business days, the carrier must provide notification and a description of any non-reportable incident that disrupts traffic or damages property. Email and fax addresses are provided to participants.
4. The carrier agrees that any information provided may be shared with police.
5. Police and enforcement personnel are requested to notify MTO of any participants’ infractions.

Revocation of permits

1. MTO reserves the right to suspend one or more of the permits, revoke permit privileges, or cancel the operation at any time, without advanced notice.
2. Permits may be revoked or suspended for breach of any condition including non-compliance with the agreed upon MOU or for non-compliance with the Highway Traffic Act.
3. Permits automatically become invalid if a permit holder's Carrier Safety Record falls to Conditional or Unsatisfactory.
4. MTO reserves the right to withdraw approval or modify conditions related to the permits without advance notice.

Vehicle weights and dimensions regime

Extended semitrailer configuration — tractor fixed axle semitrailer

Configuration description

The extended semitrailer configuration is a tractor-trailer combination composed of a tractor and a single semi-trailer. The front axle of the tractor is a single axle with single tires. The drive axle of the tractor is either a single or tandem axle. The semitrailer has one axle unit that is either a single, tandem or tridem axle. If equipped with Smart Lift Axles, as defined within O. Reg. 413/05, on the tandem one of the axles should be fixed, on the tridem the middle and/or rear axle should be fixed.

The original compliance label or the manufacturer's identification plate on the tractor and trailer must identify the company authorized under the Motor Vehicle Safety Act (Canada). To apply a national safety mark, the foreign manufacturer registered under that Act or the authorized dealer of either of them, that manufactured the tractor or trailer, and must indicate the gross vehicle and axle weight ratings.

Dimensional limit chart (extended semitrailer)

Weight limit chart (extended semitrailer)