Quebec tightens licence transfers for some Ontario truck drivers after crashes

Quebec is tightening licensing requirements for certain commercial truck drivers from Ontario, introducing new measures aimed at improving road safety following a series of serious crashes. The province will now require Ontario Class 1 drivers with less than two years of heavy-truck driving experience to pass a practical road test before they can transfer their license to Quebec.

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It’s a small piece of a large puzzle in terms of road safety.

These temporary measures come amid growing concerns about the quality of driver training and overall road safety within the trucking sector. Road safety advocates acknowledge the move as a positive development but suggest its impact will be limited unless wider industry issues are addressed. André Durocher, road safety director at CAA-Quebec, described it as "a small piece of a large puzzle in terms of road safety," noting it wouldn't prevent drivers from continuing deliveries in Quebec.

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The industry has been working for many months or even years in that direction, to raise awareness and to say something has to be done.

Despite these reservations, Durocher indicated the new rules signal the government's responsiveness to long-standing industry concerns. Members of the trucking industry have also welcomed the measure, emphasizing the need for further reforms. Stéphane Émond, president of the Centre de Formation du Routier de Montréal, highlighted ongoing challenges, including owner-operators who may not consistently adhere to inspection and training requirements. He also pointed to the rise of "Drivers Inc." arrangements, where drivers operate as incorporated contractors while functioning as full-time employees, potentially creating competitive pressures and circumventing certain regulations.

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We have a lot of problems with drivers that own their own truck, that don’t do their inspections necessarily.