What You Should Know About 15-Passenger Vans
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What You Should Know
About 15-Passenger Vans
Why should I read this guide? TO INFORM AND ASSIST
This document provides licensing, registration, and NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
other safety information for owners and operators of OWNERS AND OPERATORS
15-passenger vans in the Northwest Territories. OF 15-PASSENGER VANS
JUNE 2013
While recent high-profile collisions involving
15-passenger vans have focused public attention
on these vehicles, the Canadian Council of Motor
Transport Administrators has found them “to be as
safe as other highways vehicles.” Quick Facts
• Under Northwest Territories
The safety of all people travelling on NWT roads
law, 15-passenger vans are
is the Department of Transportation’s top
considered buses.
priority. Driver training, regular vehicle
maintenance, and proper vehicle loading will
• Schools, hotels, sports
support a safe driving experience for you and
teams, charities, church
your passengers.
groups, work sites, and other
community organizations
often use 15-passenger vans
to transport both passengers
and cargo.
• If driven improperly, these
vehicles have increased
rollover risk, decreased
stability, and a tendency to
fishtail at high speeds.
• However, with knowledge and
training, drivers can safely
maintain and operate these
vehicles both commercially
and privately.Does the National Safety Code apply to 15-passenger vans?
If you operate a 15-passenger van for business purposes (including rented or chartered
vehicles), you must meet requirements under the National Safety Code (NSC), including hours
of service requirements, daily inspections, and record keeping. Private use of 15-passenger
vans, including use by community organizations, is exempt from NSC requirements.
I need to operate a 15-passenger
van?
These vehicles are considered buses and require a
Class 4,3,2, or 1 professional drivers licence. They
cannot be driven by a Class 5 licence holder unless the
driver is learning how to drive a 15-passenger van. In
this case, the passenger accompanying the driver must
have at least a Class 4 licence with a minimum of three
years experience.
Operational Requirements for 15-Passenger Vans
Do I have to follow NSC What classes What is the
requirements? of licence do I minimum driving
need to drive a age required to
15-passenger operate a
15-passenger
van?
van?
15-Passenger Van
No 4,3,2, or 1 18
(Society Vehicle)
15-Passenger Van
(Rental, less than 30 Yes
days) (responsibility of the rental 4,3,2, or 1 18
company)
15-Passenger Van Yes
(Rental, 30 days or (responsibility of the renter) 4,3,2, or 1 18
more)
15-Passenger Van
No 4,3,2, or 1 18
(School Bus)
15-Passenger (Private) No 4,3,2, or 1 18
15-Passenger
Yes 4,3,2, or 1 18
(Commercial)My organization owns and operates a 15-passenger van.
What do I need to know?
• Choose fully-licensed drivers with
experience, proper training, and a
safe driving record.
• Maintain policies and guidelines
for the operation and maintenance
The Canadian Council of Motor Transport of all fleet vehicles.
Administrators also recommends that • Require supervisors to carry
organizations, including schools, create and contact information and cell
maintain policies to ensure proper operation and or satellite phones in case of
maintenance of these vehicles. emergency.
• Provide a trip itinerary to parents
Such a policy could refer to required driving or other contacts.
experience and training, insurance, or set out • Be prepared for adverse weather
criteria for the assessment of driver’s abstracts. conditions.
Organizations should monitor drivers and • NWT road reports are available
vehicles to ensure policies are being followed. online at www.dot.gov.nt.ca.
Contact your insurance provider to find out
insurance requirements for your 15-
passenger van. The Motor Vehicles Act also
contains information regarding basic
insurance requirements for any vehicle.
My organization would prefer to use a different kind of vehicle
for our passengers or cargo. What other vehicles can I use?
School buses are recommended for
transporting large groups of students
to and from school or for extracurricular
activities. School buses are one of the
safest available modes of transportation
Multi-functional activity buses (MFAB) also
meet national standards. They are built
with all the safety construction features of
a school bus but without the traffic warning
devices required for school buses.I drive a 15-passenger van. What do I need to know?
Driving a 15-Passenger Van • Avoid distractions. Remind your
passengers that their actions
may be distracting.
• Be prepared for adverse
weather conditions. NWT
road reports are available
If you plan to operate a 15-passenger online at www.dot.gov.nt.ca.
van, participation in one of these courses • Take regular breaks. As with
is recommended. Training specific to alcohol and other drugs, fatigue
15-passenger vans is available in the can impair your driving ability.
Northwest Territories. • Use of handheld devices (cell
phones, GPS) is illegal while
Drivers must be aware that these large driving.
vehicles do not handle like everyday cars • Operate at a safe speed for
and trucks. Additional braking time is needed weather and road conditions,
and abrupt steering should be avoided. staying within the speed limit.
• Give yourself additional braking
time.
Loading Passengers and Cargo
• Always fill the front passenger Weight distribution can dramatically affect
seats first. vehicle handling.
• Distribute the remaining cargo
throughout the rest of the vehicle
or on the floor near the front.
• Never carry more passengers
than there are available seat belts.
• If the vehicle is not full, load
passengers and cargo in front of
the rear axle.
• Avoid roof racks, rear cargo
boxes, and tow trailers as these If you do not have an owner's manual,
can negatively affect vehicle contact your vehicle dealer.
handling.
• If you must use one of these
storage devices, carry heavier
cargo inside the vehicle and never
exceed weight limits.Regular maintenance makes my 15-passenger van safer.
What do I need to know?
Seat Belts
Seat belts should be worn at all times while • Make sure seat belt is in proper
driving by all passengers. working condition.
• Make sure seat belt is worn
As a driver, you can face fines under the properly.
Motor Vehicles Act as well as demerit • Never have more passengers then
points on your drivers licence for seat belt seat belts.
infractions, including carrying more • Always make sure passengers are
passengers than available seat belts. You properly restrained, using a seat
are also responsible to ensure passengers belt or car seat as required.
under 15 years of age wear their seatbelt.
Tire Maintenance
• Make sure the tires are in good Check each vehicle tire before driving and check
condition. tire pressure on a monthly basis.
• Check tire tread depth. Tire pressure is based on your vehicle’s weight
• Make sure tires are and design. It can be different in the front and in
appropriate for weather and road the rear of your vehicle, but is essential to vehicle
conditions. control and reducing roll-over risk.
• Manually check tire pressure once
Your vehicle’s owner’s manual will state tire type
a month.
and required tire pressure.
What is Electronic Stability Control?
Electronic Stability Control can improve
vehicle handling and reduce rollovers.
ESC automatically applies the brakes when
the gravitational pull to any side of the vehicle
reaches a threshold that would cause the
vehicle to roll onto its side.
As of 2011, vehicles must be manufactured
with ESC and it is recommended that you Questions or Comments?
purchase or rent only equipped vehicles.
For more information regarding
15-passenger vans, please contact:
Road Licensing and Safety Division
NWT Department of Transportation
4510 50 Avenue
P.O. Box 1320
Yellowknife, NT
X1A 2L9
PH: 867-873-7972
FAX: 867-873-0120You can also read
