Insurers join call for mandatory entry level training for commercial truck drivers in Ontario

Several Canadian insurers have joined a group of stakeholders pushing for the Ontario government to introduce mandatory entry level training for commercial truck drivers.

Northbridge Insurance, The Guarantee Company of North America, Old Republic Insurance of Canada, Zurich Canada and the Truck Training Schools Association of Ontario (TTSAO) recently joined the call for training by the Ontario Trucking Association.

The insurers and training association have all provided letters of support for the OTA, which suggests that “mandatory entry level training would help reduce the driver shortage and raise the level of the quality of new drivers entering the industry by making truck driving a skilled occupation.”

“Currently years of experience and driver vehicle abstracts are the only benchmarking criteria for determining driver’s qualifications,” the Guarantee said in its letter of support. “There currently isn’t any criteria in place to obtain a heavy commercial licence or ensure that a safety standard is maintained in the critical first three years of licensing. Having a program such as mandatory entry level training will create and maintain a culture of safe driving behaviour and increased driver confidence.”

“Mandatory entry level training standards will provide that needed benchmark to ensure those licensed to drive commercial trucks have the necessary skills to help them safely navigate Canada’s roadways,” Old Republic also noted, adding that it strongly supports mandatory entry level training standards.

The Canadian Trucking Alliance’s Blue Ribbon Task Force has also recommended mandatory training in a report on the driver shortage.

“There appears to be some traction gaining in certain provinces,” OTA president David Bradley commented in a statement.

“While that’s a good sign, there is still a very long road ahead and major hurdles persist, which is why the training and insurance industries joining OTA on this issue is an important step,” he said. “The good news is that at the very least a dialogue is now underway.”