As a follow-up to the memorandum released on April 15th, 2021 regarding the introduction of the Class A Manual Transmission Restriction the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) has provided an important update.

Download the full memo here:

In the memo the MTO advised that they have received feedback from industry stakeholders regarding proposals to change the definition of a manual transmission as well as a new proposed implementation date of July 19th, 2021. This new proposed date will provide industry and training schools with at least 90-days of notification from the initial stakeholder notification.

The regulation is being proposed to be updated as follows:

(1) The Minister may, based on the results of an examination under clause 15 (1) (b) or (c), including the characteristics of the transmission of the motor vehicle driven during the examination of an applicant for or a holder of a Class A driver’s license, impose a condition on the person’s Class A driver’s license that the person not drive a combination of vehicles that constitutes a Class A motor vehicle if the motor vehicle has a manual transmission. O. Reg. 254/21, s. 1.

(2) For the purpose of subsection (1), a motor vehicle has a manual transmission if it is equipped with,
(a) driver-operated clutch that is activated by a pedal or lever; and
(b) a gear-shift mechanism operated either by hand or foot and without the assistance of automation.

(3) For greater certainty, a semi-automatic transmission or an automated-manual transmission is not a manual transmission.

If you have any feedback on either the updated definition or the implementation date please send them to the following e-mail address DPOconsultations@ontario.ca by Friday, April 30, 2021.

We will continue to update this thread as new information is provided.