I ran into a bit of a landmine today while trying to figure out if my flatdeck trailer insurance was proper.
I have the std class 5 drivers license and today I found a pretty vague reference to a code 20 endorsement if you are hauling a trailer over 4600kg on another bulletin board. As it turns out this is pretty clearly described on the CVSE Trailer Towing FAQ but as a "restriction 20", not a "code 20" as described by ICBC. At any rate this didn't register with me when I read the FAQ so I only have myself to blame on this, part of the problem is that I'm old and think in pounds, not kilos so the 4600KG went in one ear and out the other.
At no time during my registration and insurance purchasing process last month did I get any advisement from the Autoplan agent that my 5443KG (12000lbs) trailer would require an extra endorsement on my drivers license. I accept the fact that Autoplan agents can't know everything but during the process I really think ICBC could put a notification on the computer that the customer (me) should be advised of their obligations.
Moving on to the Code 20 I could not find out any information online on what it is or how you get it so I went to Motor Vehicle branch. As it turns out this must be a pretty rare thing to get as it required quite a bit of conferencing on the part of a few people at the counter.
So basically you have to take a written test that covers the Class 3 license without any air brake qualifications, you have to get a medical and take an eye test.
I will do all of the above if necessary but my feeling is my usage is less than what is covered by this endorsement. One potential problem is that if I go on a trip it's likely that I will be the only one with the proper drivers license endorsement so only I will be able to drive. I think I just bought a trailer that was much larger than necessary for my needs and now I understand why so many trailers in this class are rated at 9990 lbs .
Basically my usage will always fall under the 4600KG threshold so is it possible for me to officially reclassify my trailer from 5443kg (12000lbs) to 4600kg (10141lbs)? I went to an Autoplan agent tonight and they didn't have an answer so I will call ICBC tomorrow as well.
I have the std class 5 drivers license and today I found a pretty vague reference to a code 20 endorsement if you are hauling a trailer over 4600kg on another bulletin board. As it turns out this is pretty clearly described on the CVSE Trailer Towing FAQ but as a "restriction 20", not a "code 20" as described by ICBC. At any rate this didn't register with me when I read the FAQ so I only have myself to blame on this, part of the problem is that I'm old and think in pounds, not kilos so the 4600KG went in one ear and out the other.
At no time during my registration and insurance purchasing process last month did I get any advisement from the Autoplan agent that my 5443KG (12000lbs) trailer would require an extra endorsement on my drivers license. I accept the fact that Autoplan agents can't know everything but during the process I really think ICBC could put a notification on the computer that the customer (me) should be advised of their obligations.
Moving on to the Code 20 I could not find out any information online on what it is or how you get it so I went to Motor Vehicle branch. As it turns out this must be a pretty rare thing to get as it required quite a bit of conferencing on the part of a few people at the counter.
So basically you have to take a written test that covers the Class 3 license without any air brake qualifications, you have to get a medical and take an eye test.
I will do all of the above if necessary but my feeling is my usage is less than what is covered by this endorsement. One potential problem is that if I go on a trip it's likely that I will be the only one with the proper drivers license endorsement so only I will be able to drive. I think I just bought a trailer that was much larger than necessary for my needs and now I understand why so many trailers in this class are rated at 9990 lbs .
Basically my usage will always fall under the 4600KG threshold so is it possible for me to officially reclassify my trailer from 5443kg (12000lbs) to 4600kg (10141lbs)? I went to an Autoplan agent tonight and they didn't have an answer so I will call ICBC tomorrow as well.