Me and a buddy we're having a few beers and talking about diesel trucks as usual. We were talking about when we head up north we usually see MTO Officers on the side of the road doing spot checks mainly on Diesel vehicles. What we came to wonder is, could you actually refuse an MTO spot check? I mean there would be nothing you could do for an outside visual inspection but as far as popping the hood or letting them plug into your OBD plug inside the cab, could you legal refuse it, if the truck isn't registered as a commercial vehicle? As far as we can understand really it would be an illegal search as there would be nothing to warrant then entering the truck. Just really curious what legally you could do, if anything at all. I've searched and can't find any info so thought maybe someone here might know a thing or two.
Me and a buddy we're having a few beers and talking about diesel trucks as usual. We were talking about when we head up north we usually see MTO Officers on the side of the road doing spot checks mainly on Diesel vehicles.
What we came to wonder is, could you actually refuse an MTO spot check? I mean there would be nothing you could do for an outside visual inspection but as far as popping the hood or letting them plug into your OBD plug inside the cab, could you legal refuse it, if the truck isn't registered as a commercial vehicle?
As far as we can understand really it would be an illegal search as there would be nothing to warrant then entering the truck. Just really curious what legally you could do, if anything at all.
I've searched and can't find any info so thought maybe someone here might know a thing or two.
Under section 216.1 of the HTA, (Power of Officer to Examine Commercial Vehicles) it gives the police or "any officer appointed for carrying out the provisions of this act" (mto inspectors) the right to pull over cmv's and do the inspections. As well, "the driver, operator or other person in control of the vehicle shall assist in the examination" The fine for not assisting is a total of $390 Although you say your truck is not registered as commercial, ALL pickup trucks are commercial (go to definition section of HTA). It does not matter if the vehicles are diesel or gas. They only plug into truck to see if their speed limiting systems are working, pickup trucks are usually under the required weight rating. Normally once the inspectors determine you are just some guy who owns a pickup truck where the registered gross weight is not over 4,500kg, they send you on your way. Having said that, if you are towing a trailer, they will be checking your weight ratings on the truck and trailer to determine if you need annual inspections or not under section 85 of the HTA.
Under section 216.1 of the HTA, (Power of Officer to Examine Commercial Vehicles) it gives the police or "any officer appointed for carrying out the provisions of this act" (mto inspectors) the right to pull over cmv's and do the inspections. As well, "the driver, operator or other person in control of the vehicle shall assist in the examination"
The fine for not assisting is a total of $390
Although you say your truck is not registered as commercial, ALL pickup trucks are commercial (go to definition section of HTA). It does not matter if the vehicles are diesel or gas. They only plug into truck to see if their speed limiting systems are working, pickup trucks are usually under the required weight rating.
Normally once the inspectors determine you are just some guy who owns a pickup truck where the registered gross weight is not over 4,500kg, they send you on your way. Having said that, if you are towing a trailer, they will be checking your weight ratings on the truck and trailer to determine if you need annual inspections or not under section 85 of the HTA.
Ya I know and understand how trailers and GVW work. I was looking at it from more of an emissions stand point that's why I mentioned diesel pick ups, with all the new filters, etc. lots of guys remove them, and we speculated that you really wouldn't have to let them in the cab to check if all emissions systems were ready through the OBD port. But you are right all trucks are considered commercial it's just the personal plate sticker you get, that never really crossed my mind, I guess you would technically have to co-operate?
Ya I know and understand how trailers and GVW work.
I was looking at it from more of an emissions stand point that's why I mentioned diesel pick ups, with all the new filters, etc. lots of guys remove them, and we speculated that you really wouldn't have to let them in the cab to check if all emissions systems were ready through the OBD port.
But you are right all trucks are considered commercial it's just the personal plate sticker you get, that never really crossed my mind, I guess you would technically have to co-operate?
When you open your hood, there is a sticker on the cowling somewhere that talks of emissions. The inspectors will need to read that to do their inspections. The inspectors will do gas or diesel exhaust inspections. Generally, MTO inspectors won't do the emissions inspections, that is more in the world of the Ministry of the Environment inspectors. MOE checks for exhaust out puts as well as modifications. Many pick up trucks have modified exhausts, the most obvious being the large stacks running up behind the cab. MTO inspectors tend only to look for exhaust leaks and such, not the actual exhaust out puts.
When you open your hood, there is a sticker on the cowling somewhere that talks of emissions. The inspectors will need to read that to do their inspections. The inspectors will do gas or diesel exhaust inspections.
Generally, MTO inspectors won't do the emissions inspections, that is more in the world of the Ministry of the Environment inspectors. MOE checks for exhaust out puts as well as modifications. Many pick up trucks have modified exhausts, the most obvious being the large stacks running up behind the cab.
MTO inspectors tend only to look for exhaust leaks and such, not the actual exhaust out puts.
As mentioned, when you own or drive a diesel pick up you shouldn't be surprised about being pulled over occasionally by the Ministry of finance for a fuel dip as well - they are ensuring that people aren't running red dye diesel (Off-road use only) in on road vehicles. The fines for such will blow your socks off so the risk is definitely not worth the potential savings. As for random emissions checks, you can thank all of the idiot diesel pickup owners who think "rolling coal is cool!" for those. They were all but unheard-of up until about 10 years ago.
As mentioned, when you own or drive a diesel pick up you shouldn't be surprised about being pulled over occasionally by the Ministry of finance for a fuel dip as well - they are ensuring that people aren't running red dye diesel (Off-road use only) in on road vehicles. The fines for such will blow your socks off so the risk is definitely not worth the potential savings.
As for random emissions checks, you can thank all of the idiot diesel pickup owners who think "rolling coal is cool!" for those. They were all but unheard-of up until about 10 years ago.
Ya running dyed diesel and driving down the highway is pretty unintelligent in my opinion, there's no benefit other then the cheap price. Emission wise the new trucks have not nearly the potential life span of an old diesel with the new emissions plugging them up. I know exactly why all the emissions started, no doubt there.
Ya running dyed diesel and driving down the highway is pretty unintelligent in my opinion, there's no benefit other then the cheap price.
Emission wise the new trucks have not nearly the potential life span of an old diesel with the new emissions plugging them up. I know exactly why all the emissions started, no doubt there.
As somebody who has spent the last 20 years in the trucking industry, I know why the emissions regulations increased as well, and I don't subscribe to the tinfoil hat theories that it has anything to do with making trucks wear out faster – it has everything to do with people not getting cancer and dying. Anybody who's spent any time in the industry can attest to the mysteriously (or not so, actually) high incidence rate of cancer amongst commercial drivers. Today's trucks run so absolutely exponentially cleaner than the ones of 20 years ago (when I got in the industry) that it's nothing short of amazing. I drive a 2 year old Volvo and I can run my finger inside the stack and it comes out clean - couldn't say that 8+ years ago. I'm perfectly good with that - I don't need it in my lungs, thanks.
As somebody who has spent the last 20 years in the trucking industry, I know why the emissions regulations increased as well, and I don't subscribe to the tinfoil hat theories that it has anything to do with making trucks wear out faster – it has everything to do with people not getting cancer and dying.
Anybody who's spent any time in the industry can attest to the mysteriously (or not so, actually) high incidence rate of cancer amongst commercial drivers.
Today's trucks run so absolutely exponentially cleaner than the ones of 20 years ago (when I got in the industry) that it's nothing short of amazing. I drive a 2 year old Volvo and I can run my finger inside the stack and it comes out clean - couldn't say that 8+ years ago.
I'm perfectly good with that - I don't need it in my lungs, thanks.
I have received a $450 ticket for parking in a handicap loading zone. I did not see the sign and the pavement was not marked. I have lived in Toronto for 15 years and this is the first ticket of any kind I have received. My last ticket, in a different city, was over 20 years ago. I am always very careful about parking and traffic regulations.
I cannot afford to pay $450. I do not make a lot of…
Petition to change HTA 136 (1)(A)Failure to Stop at Stop Sign
Hello, it does not seem right that not coming to a complete stop, that your wheels do not stop turning or rolling stop carries the same penalty as not stopping at all at a stop sign . I think it's time this laws challenged and quashed. I wondered how to go both that? Can we start a website that we can sign a petition to have this law…
My 78 year old Mother got a ticket at 8am on March 31/09 as the morning sun was in her eyes and she (as well, many others), didnt see the sign ahead-"No straight throughway (between 7-9am Mon to Fri". (All english Sign might I add) at Dundas & Shaw. (**Proceed Contrary Sign Intersection -HTA-144(9).
4 months prior to her court date in November, I requested disclosure 3 times prior to her…
Reference is made in the HTA to Stop Signs at Railway Crossings (passive crossings):
HTA, 163 (2)
O Reg 615 (7)
However I cannot find specific regulation detailing how a railway crossing controlled by a stop sign must be configured.
The Ontario Traffic Manual, Book 11 - Markings and Delineation under section "3.9 Reserved Facility Markings - Railways" (p99) speaks to the needs for marking, but is…
I got a parking ticket on Halloween around 9pm for parking in front of a cross walk in a residential street. There's no sign or anything that says you can't park there.
You know the crosswalk/walkways in residential streets that are fenced on both sides and that simply lead you to another street on the other side is what I'm talking about.
The parking ticket officer must have seen me walk in…
So I was on my way home, going a solid 120 as usual in the fast lane. Someone decides to cut me off going less than 100. I do a quick double lane change and speed up unknowingly hitting apparently 150. After speeding for a mere 20 seconds, I am pulled over. Cop says he reduced the ticket to 49 over, I was charged $359 for that. Of course, my insurance isn't in my car... I had to take it out…
Hi, new at this and could use all the help and guidance..
My brother just got in an accident where he swerved to avoid hitting a squirrel and got in an accident. Luckily, no one was hurt as he did not hit another party so it was just our car (old car and it will be a write off). The cop issued a careless driving ticket - notice of appearance. I read a similiar thread about this but not sure if it…
There is some construction going on for the last three months and hence, the northbound right lane on airport road at queen street which exits is closed due to construction and they have put barriers. they have put the right turn sign on the adjacent lane in the black background. Also the right lane north of Queen Street at Airport road is closed and they have an arrow sign there which indicates…
I keep being told that if you are found to be driving with bare feet, you could be fined etc... but nowhere can I find the actual rule anyway. Does anyone know if this is truly illegal - or perhaps used to be? In summer, sandals being what they are, its much safer, in my opinion to kick them off and drive with bare feet.... but then I hate anything on my feet in hot weather!
I got pulled over yesterday on the Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway in Ottawa for going 106 km/h in a 60 zone. It was around noon, the weather was good and I was the only car on the road. He was hiding around a corner and was just stopped in the right lane (there are no shoulders on this road). I was alone in my car and neither of us said much, he didnt reduce my fine and gave me a ticket of a set…
I recently received a ticket from a military policeman on a military base in Ontario. Therefore, I was charged under the "Government Property Traffic Regulations" (GPTR), section 9. I know that some may say, why are you posting on a website for the HTA? Well, in Ontario, the military uses the Provincial Offences Act/Ontario Court of Justice for traffic tickets issued on a military base, i.e.…
For my first ever post, I'm going to ask for your own story dealing with a s.172 charge.
There is a lot of teeth grinding online about the street racing laws but few hands-on accounts from people who have been there and done that. I saw many posts from people seeking advice but few mention the actual outcome.
With about 1/3 conviction rate, there should be many success stories around. Even if you we…
... two cars pulled over, we (my wife and 7 month old boy) were passing a truck in the passing lane, first car passed me and I pulled out behind him. Crested a hill while on a curve, pass the truck and move back into the driving lane. Police officer shows up behind and pulls us both over. Gave me a ticket saying I was following the car in front doing 124km/hr.
We all know that numerous police agencies around Ontario (and world for that matter) set up speed traps in inconspicuous locations to catch motorists who are speeding.
If you know of any speed traps that are in regular use please post them here for all to know and avoid speeding fines.
Format: Town, Location, Direction, known days of operation (if known).
Sorry if this has been covered, but I searched and didn't find anything.
Just thought I'd share my recent experience.
Last Friday I was driving myself and my wife home from a nice dinner date in Markham/Richmond Hill north of T-DOT, and I had two (what looked like) ETF officers "tail" me home and park on my driveway.
I had been driving southbound and reached a red light stopped in the right…
I have my trial date coming up next week. I got a ticket in North Bay, ON for driving 139km/h on a 90km/h. He was using a Genesis II directional radar. Tested it before and after the stop according to the notes. In his notes, he mentions the speeds that were displayed on the radar which were 140, 141, and 139. In his notes, he also mentions that the color of my car was blue when it is…
I paid my fines for 2 tickets; fail to provide ownership and fail to provide insurence. I now know i should have checked not guilty and mailed them in.
(the papers were in the car. I was looking for them but was distracted by a badgering 2nd officer who was attempting to identify my passenger. I found them when i stopped for coffee later.)
Now that you actually opened this topic and I have your attention
Please read all items below 1 to 8
1) If YOU start a THREAD/DISCUSSION for an incident - KEEP on ONE THREAD, even for no activity for several months or even just to keep updates for court steps, stay on one thread
HOW DO I FIND MY POST? >> TOP right of page is the following: view unread posts / view new posts / view…
I plan to request disclosure through registered mail or fax. I've tried requesting in person but got rejected because they told me I did not provide sufficient information on my Disclosure Request letter.
My question is, do they really need the officer's name and division when I provided them with the Offence Number, Offence Date, Charge, Court Date, and Location? Also they said they do…
Been charged with Careless Driving in a residential area.
1. The Officer has a Witness statement. If the Witness does not appear at Trail, can that statement be introduced at Trial by the Crown and used against me.?
2. The Address "Number" (the Street is correct) on the infraction does not remotely exist, is an empty field. Does this matter?
Is there a requirement for commercial vehicles to be maintained only by licensed mechanics (e.g., oil changes, tire rotations)? I'm working with Habitat for Humanity and we are looking into a cargo van for the ReStore; I'm more than capable of doing maintenance but I'm not sure if it is legal because I am not a licensed mechanic.
which I had not search.
Now that you actually opened this topic and I have your attention 