News & Updates

IMPORTANT: Changes to the Highway Traffic Act

The second phase of the changes to the Highway Traffic Act (Graduated Driver Licensing Program) come into effect on April 1, 2007. The most immediate change that will occur on April 1, 2007 is the entrance age for individuals applying for a Class 7 Licence (Instruction Permit.)

The second phase of the changes to the Highway Traffic Act (Graduated Driver Licensing Program) come into effect on April 1, 2007.

1) The most immediate change that will occur on April 1, 2007 is the entrance age for individuals applying for a Class 7 Licence (Instruction Permit.)

All individuals applying for a Class 7 Licence (Instruction Permit) on April 1, 2007 or later, must be 16 years of age.

2) The second item that comes into effect on April 1, 2007 is the waiting period before an individual can take their first road test.

All individuals who receive their Class 7 on April 1, 2007 and after, will be required to wait a minimum of 365 days before their first road test; however, if enrolled in a driver education program and have received their Instruction Permit on April 1, 2007 or after, they are required to wait a minimum of 275 days.

3) All individuals who receive their Instruction Permit before April 1, 2007 will follow the previous waiting rule of 180 days.

4) Instruction Permits issued on April 1, 2007 and after, will have a two-year expiry date.

5) Short-term suspensions for regular drivers with multiple 24-hour suspensions in a 2-year period will come into effect.

• Second 24-hour suspension within a 2-year period - 30-day suspension
• Third 24- hour suspension within a 2-year - 90-day suspension

6) It will be two or three weeks before the consequential amendments to the appropriate Regulations are in place. These items, including night curfew, identifying decal for GDL drivers, etc., but does not effect the main changes to the HTA which occur April 1, 2007.

Below is the link to the Highway Traffic Act changes

http://www.assembly.pe.ca/bills/pdf_chapter/62/4/chapter-8.pdf

...and these are the more important changes that occur on April 1, 2007

Instruction permits:

82. (1) Any person who

(a) is 16 years of age or older may apply to the Registrar for an Instruction Permit to drive a motor vehicle; and

(b) is 14 years of age or older may apply to the Registrar for an Instruction Permit to drive a farm tractor, and the Registrar may, in the Registrar's discretion, after the person has successfully passed all parts of any oral, written or other examination as the Registrar may authorize, other than the driving test, issue to the person an instruction permit that shall entitle the person, while having such permit in the person's immediate possession, to drive a motor vehicle on a highway when accompanied by a licensed operator who is occupying the seat beside the person, except when the person is operating a motor cycle or farm tractor.

(b) by the repeal of subsection (2);

(c) in subsection (3), by the deletion of the word "he" and the substitution of the words "the holder of an instruction permit" wherever they occur;

(d) in subsection (4),

(i) by the deletion of the words "one hundred and eighty days" and the substitution of the words "365 days", and

(ii) by the deletion of the words "that he has qualified for a driver's license; but before issuing the certificate, the examiner shall satisfy himself" and the substitution of the words "that the applicant has qualified for a driver's license, but before issuing the certificate, the examiner shall satisfy himself or herself";

(e) by the addition of the following after subsection (4):

(4.1) Notwithstanding subsection (4), the holder of an instruction permit who has successfully completed a driver education program in the province, may, not sooner than 275 days after the issue of such instruction permit and thereafter at any time before the expiration of the permit, apply to an examiner for a certificate that the applicant has qualified for a driver's license, but before issuing the certificate, the examiner shall satisfy himself or herself, by means of an actual driving test, that the applicant is proficient in the operation of a motor vehicle.

If you have any questions please contact Audrey Mayhew at Access PEI, 368-5214.