Motor vehicle (ICS: 43.020, 43.060). Road vehicles in general, Internal combustion engines for road vehicles

Regulations Amending the Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations (Standard 101 and 111) (14 pages, available in English and French)

This regulatory initiative would amend the Canadian safety regulation by incorporating by reference the provisions in the United States safety regulation that prescribe the enhanced rear visibility area (i.e. the driver must be afforded a view of the 20-foot by 10-foot zone directly behind the vehicle when the vehicle's transmission is placed into reverse) . Further, this initiative gives the basic performance requirements for devices (e.g. back-up cameras) that provide vehicle drivers with this improved visibility. Specifically, if a camera is used, there will be requirements for the size of the display, camera response time (switch on and off) and durability (impact of corrosion, humidity and temperature) of the rear visibility system (lens, camera, and wiring) .

It is proposed that, as in the United States, this amendment would take effect on 1 May 2018, and would apply to new light duty vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of less than 4 536 kg (10 000 lb), including passenger cars, trucks, three-wheeled vehicles, multi-purpose passenger vehicles (e.g. Honda CRV, Toyota RAV4), small buses (e.g. Mercedes Sprinter passenger van), and low-speed vehicles.

Motor vehicle manufacturers and importers are responsible for ensuring compliance with the requirements of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act and its regulations. Transport Canada monitors the self-certification programs of manufacturers and importers by reviewing their test documentation, inspecting vehicles, and testing vehicles obtained in the open market. In addition, when a manufacturer or importer identifies a defect in a vehicle or equipment, it must issue a Notice of Defect to the owners and to the Minister of Transport. Any person or company that contravenes a provision of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act or its regulations is guilty of an offence, and liable to the applicable penalty set out in the Act.