_ed02E. Insurance eligibility requirements for professional transport drivers

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1 _ed02E Insurance eligibility requirements for professional transport drivers TM

2 Trademark used under licence from Northbridge Financial Corporation. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in retrieval systems or transmitted in any form by any means electronic, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior written permission of Northbridge Financial Corporation. * Policies underwritten by Northbridge Commercial Insurance Corporation. 2 Insurance eligibility requirements for professional transport drivers

3 Table of contents 1.0 How to qualify for insurance coverage as a professional transport driver 4 Who is this information for? 2.0 Driver eligibility factors 6 Convictions and citations Work entitlement status Qualifying through practical experience Qualifying through accredited training 3.0 How to choose the right driver training 12 Get it in writing 4.0 How to meet Northbridge Insurance s training requirements 13 Canadian Trucking Human Resources Council (CTHRC) Truck Training Schools Association of Ontario (TTSAO) Professional Truck Driving Institute (PTDI) 5.0 Provincially sponsored training programs Training resources 15 3 Insurance eligibility requirements for professional transport drivers

4 1.0 How to qualify for insurance coverage as a professional transport driver Who is this information for? This publication has been produced specifically for small fleets, owner-operators and new drivers, and outlines specific criteria used by Northbridge Insurance to establish driver eligibility for insurance. Our driver eligibility criteria are similar to the best practices used by top employers in North America s trucking industry today. We have adopted them to streamline the driver hiring process and to support you in selecting professional drivers who will help your business prosper. Based on Northbridge Insurance s publication Let s Talk Driver Eligibility, released in 2005, this information has been updated and more detailed information on eligibility requirements has been added. While meeting the demand for qualified drivers has become a critical challenge, trucking companies, in partnership with their insurance companies, must continue to ensure standards for driver qualification are met, so that insurance remains affordable in the long term. Did you know? Northbridge Insurance evaluates a combination of experience, training and other factors.* For insurance brokers, knowing and understanding these guidelines will help you meet your clients needs in terms of adding drivers on an existing policy or qualifying new drivers more quickly. 4 Insurance eligibility requirements for professional transport drivers Go Back to Table of Contents

5 Over the past decade, the demand for qualified professional drivers has skyrocketed. Recent industry studies estimate that 375,000 new drivers are required in Canada over the next decade, to serve our expanding economy and to replace professional drivers retiring from the profession. As a result, commercial truck driving is one of Canada s most in-demand professions. The advantages for transport companies hiring well-qualified professional drivers include: Increased customer satisfaction Improved safety performance Fewer accidents Reduced downtime Reduced time and expense in recruitment and training Reduced vehicle operating expenses Improved corporate image in the community Did you know? 375,000 new drivers will be required in Canada over the next decade. Lower insurance costs Higher driver retention 5 Insurance eligibility requirements for professional transport drivers Go Back to Table of Contents

6 2.0 Driver eligibility factors Four key factors determine driver eligibility for insurance: convictions and citations; work entitlement status; qualifying through practical experience; and qualifying through accredited training. The following pages explain each factor in detail. A. Convictions and citations On the date Northbridge Insurance evaluates a driver s eligibility, we require that he or she has an acceptable conviction/citation record over the prior three-year period. Convictions and citations include those incurred in foreign jurisdictions as well as in Canada. An acceptable record includes: No Type 1 (criminal code type) convictions or citations; or No more than two Type 2 (major type) convictions or citations; and Drivers who have fewer convictions than stated above may be subject to surcharges. The following convictions or citations will subject a driver listed as a principal operator to surcharges: Type 1 criminal code type convictions or citations Criminal negligence or manslaughter committed while driving a motor vehicle Driving while intoxicated Impaired driving Failure or refusal to submit to a breathalyzer, blood or other sobriety test, or similar test for drugs or restricted substances Temporary or roadside suspension for consumption of alcohol, drugs or restricted substances Operating a motor vehicle in a race or speed test Careless driving No more than three convictions or citations of any other type. Driving while licence under suspension or disqualified Drivers who have more convictions than stated above may be denied insurance coverage. Dangerous driving 6 Insurance eligibility requirements for professional transport drivers Go Back to Table of Contents

7 Type 2 Major type convictions or citations Crossing railway barrier when unsafe to do so or in violation of warning signs or signals Improper passing/driving Carrying person on or in the cargo portion of the vehicle or in a trailer Improper passing of a school bus Improper passing within designated school or playground zones Operating a motor vehicle carrying an unsecured or improperly secured load Operating a motor vehicle while view is obstructed Failure to produce proof of insurance Failure to produce a driver s licence Driving in a reserved bus lane Driving on wrong side of a road Driving an unsafe vehicle Failure to yield right of way to vehicle/ pedestrian Speeding within designated school or playground zones Speeding more than 30 kilometers over the posted speed limit other than in school or playground zones Operating a motor vehicle while driver seat is crowded Vehicle illegally or unsafely parked or stopped Improper use or failure to use turn/stop signal device Failure to stop for an emergency vehicle Failure to share the road Failure to stop as required Failure to obey traffic sign/control device Following too closely Driving with no insurance Type 3 Minor type convictions or citations Breach of speed limits by over 10 kilometers per hour over the posted speed limit other than listed in the Criminal Code Type or Major Types schedules Failure to have proper trailer attachment Moving traffic offences not listed above If in doubt, please refer the facts to your insurance broker who can clarify the acceptability of the conviction/citation record with a Northbridge Insurance representative. Pedestrian cross-over violation Operating defective equipment Failure to report an accident Failure to give name and licence number in the event of an accident to police or other persons entitled to such information Operating a motor vehicle while in violation of seatbelt regulations Operating a motor vehicle in excess of permitted weight 7 Insurance eligibility requirements for professional transport drivers Go Back to Table of Contents

8 B. Work entitlement status All drivers must be qualified to operate the insured vehicle in each jurisdiction required by their employment, and possess all applicable licences and permits. They must also be legally entitled to work according to all provincial and federal laws pertaining to age, medical condition, drug testing requirements and immigration or work entitlement status in each jurisdiction required by their employment. Did you know? Drivers must meet legal requirements and standards in all jurisdictions. 8 Insurance eligibility requirements for professional transport drivers Go Back to Table of Contents

9 C. Qualifying through practical experience To qualify for insurance coverage based on practical experience, a driver being hired to haul most types of general freight must declare and be able to confirm a minimum of one year of experience driving vehicles of similar configuration, defined as: 1. Tractor/trailer experience for jobs requiring tractor/trailer operation; or High hazard driving scenarios In certain high hazard driving scenarios, Northbridge Insurance requires a minimum of one year of practical experience driving vehicles of the same configuration and load types, over an equal or greater radius of operation. This standard applies to hauling: Bulk liquids Did you know? For high hazard scenarios Northbridge Insurance requires one year of similar experience. 2. Straight truck or tractor/trailer experience for jobs requiring straight truck operation; or Train, float or drop-type trailers Logs or pulp wood 3. Experience driving vehicles of similar configuration includes international experience. Anything in the woodlands Anything in the oil fields To confirm eligibility on the basis of practical experience, Northbridge Insurance requires the driver s full name, licence classification, and details of driving positions held during the preceding one year, indicating the type of vehicle configurations each assignment involved. Employment reference letters may also be required. In addition to this basic information, your broker and Northbridge Insurance may access other sources of information to validate the driver s experience as well as the driver s at-fault accident record. Your broker will advise you on how to proceed with your application. Chemical products Sand, gravel, stone or earth Steel products Oversized loads These rules DO NOT apply in Newfoundland and Labrador. Please contact your broker for further information. 9 Insurance eligibility requirements for professional transport drivers Go Back to Table of Contents

10 D. Qualifying through accredited training In the absence of sufficient practical experience which is the case for all entry level truck drivers Northbridge Insurance often accepts evidence of a driver s successful completion of qualifying accredited training. Tractor/trailer or straight truck with trailer hitch configuration In most instances, Northbridge Insurance will insure a driver hired to operate a tractor/trailer or straight truck with trailer hitch configurations used to haul most types of general freight when the driver meets the following criteria: At least one year of experience driving any automobile with an acceptable conviction/citation record. (See page 4.) Proof of successful completion of the Canadian Trucking Human Resources Council (CTHRC) Earning Your Wheels training program provided by a CTHRCaccredited training facility, a certified Professional Truck Driver Institute (PTDI) training course, or a course run by a Truck Training Schools Association of Ontario (TTSAO) accredited facility meeting the equivalency standards of the Northbridge Insurance AZ tractortrailer diploma training standard. Proof of successful completion of the Ontario Voluntary Apprenticeship Program, the Alberta Professional Driver Certificate Program, or the Quebec certificate program. In the case of high hazard driving scenarios, Northbridge Insurance will only extend insurance coverage to drivers who possess a minimum of one year of similar experience. Under such circumstances, training alone regardless of the accredited training completed is insufficient. Straight truck or light commercial vehicle In the case of a driver of a straight truck or light commercial vehicle, the driver must have: At least one year of experience driving any automobile with an acceptable conviction/citation record (see page 4); and Proof of successful completion of a certified PTDI training course, or a course run by a TTSAO accredited facility that meets the equivalency standards of the Northbridge Insurance Straight Truck Diploma training standard; or Proof of successful completion of the Ontario Voluntary Apprenticeship Program, the Alberta Professional Driver Certificate Program, or the Quebec certificate program. To confirm whether a program satisfies Northbridge Insurance s equivalency requirements, call us tollfree at or us at info@nbfc.com Did you know? Professional transport drivers and their employers demonstrate a lifelong commitment to ongoing training. 10 Insurance eligibility requirements for professional transport drivers Go Back to Table of Contents

11 Not all training programs are the same Go Back to Table of Contents

12 3.0 How to choose the right driver training Over 200 truck driving courses are available across Canada today from short refresher classes to introductory courses to comprehensive programs that include extensive classroom theory and behind-the-wheel training. However, due to many factors including substandard curricula, insufficient classroom instruction, inadequate behind-the-wheel instruction, and unqualified instructors many of these programs do not meet Northbridge Insurance s minimum eligibility standards for training in lieu of necessary practical experience. This uneven approach to driver education and training is due largely to a lack of uniform federal and provincial regulations for truck driver training schools. Get it in writing Because of the absence of common training standards, Northbridge Insurance recommends that prospective students receive written confirmation from their school, stating that the course being considered is accredited to meet the minimum standards established by the CTHRC s Earning Your Wheels Program, or is certified by the PTDI, or meets Northbridge Insurance s equivalency requirements. When considering enrolment in a truck driving program, it is important to understand that not all training programs are the same. 12 Insurance eligibility requirements for professional transport drivers Go Back to Table of Contents

13 4.0 How to meet Northbridge Insurance s training requirements Canadian Trucking Human Resources Council (CTHRC) The CTHRC s Earning Your Wheels program is an entry-level driver training course designed to cultivate the professional skills, knowledge and attitudes required by today s professional truck drivers in North America. Regardless of which certified training school one attends, successful graduates of this program will receive a Certificate of Program Completion signed and issued directly by the CTHRC. Combining both highly developed classroom studies and practical behindthe-wheel training, this program meets all the requirements set out by the National Occupational Standards for Professional Truck Drivers. The CTHRC is an incorporated not-forprofit organization led by a volunteer board of directors representing the Canadian trucking industry. For more information on the CTHRC, the Earning Your Wheels program, and a current list of facilities offering this program, visit the CTHRC website at Truck Training Schools Association of Ontario (TTSAO) Registered private vocational schools and organizations specializing in truck driver training make up the Truck Training Schools Association of Ontario. One of TTSAO s principle objectives is to ensure that all drivers entering that profession maintain a minimum level of knowledge and ability, consistent not only with the needs of their employers but the safety of the general public. TTSAO maintains a list of accredited schools that meet its standards and Northbridge Insurance s equivalency requirements. Professional Truck Driving Institute (PTDI) Some truck driving courses in Ontario have been certified by the Professional Truck Driving Institute. PTDI is credited with developing the first voluntary curriculum and certification standards recognized by both the trucking industry and the US government. PTDI certified courses meet Northbridge Insurance s equivalency requirements. 13 Insurance eligibility requirements for professional transport drivers Go Back to Table of Contents

14 5.0 Provincially sponsored training programs Ontario The Tractor-Trailer Commercial Driver Apprenticeship program provides entrylevel drivers a firm foundation of skills and knowledge, while also providing trucking companies a well- trained, safetyconscientious employee. Graduates from this program meet Northbridge Insurance s equivalency requirements. Québec The Quebec Ministry of Education certifies schools to deliver the minimum curriculum content and hours, as well as minimum requirements for facilities, vehicles and instructor qualifications. The Société de l assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) manages the accreditation process for schools delivering training resulting in issuance of a drivers licence for heavy transport drivers. The standards include minimum requirements for instructors qualifications, hours of training, types of equipment and facilities required. Alberta The Professional Driver Certificate Program takes students beyond a Class 1 licence to meet the requirements set out by the National Occupational Standards for Professional Drivers. The program was designed to bring together the person seeking a career and carriers looking for qualified drivers. Graduates from this program meet Northbridge Insurance s equivalency requirements. Graduates from this program meet Northbridge Insurance s equivalency requirements. conduite.html 14 Insurance eligibility requirements for professional transport drivers Go Back to Table of Contents

15 6.0 Training resources For information on recognized driver training courses, please consult the following websites: National Canadian Trucking Human Resources Council Professional Truck Driver Institute (PTDI) Ontario Truck Training Schools Association of Ontario (TTSAO) Voluntary Truck Driver Apprenticeship in Ontario Northbridge Insurance has provided this information for your convenience. Northbridge Insurance does not recommend any particular training facility and is not responsible for verifying that any course selected will meet industry standards or will meet federal, state, provincial and/or municipal laws, regulations and ordinances. To confirm whether a specific training program satisfies Northbridge Insurance s equivalency requirements, call us toll-free at Alberta Red Deer College Québec Société de l assurance automobile conduite.html 15 Insurance eligibility requirements for professional transport drivers Go Back to Table of Contents