Seasonal workers on British Columbia farms will soon be able to drive in the province for up to a year using their licenses from their home jurisdictions.
The provincial government on Tuesday introduced changes to its Motor Vehicle Act that would extend the current six-month limit on “home country” licenses for seasonal agricultural workers.
The limit currently allows workers to drive in the province for up to six months before they’re required to get a B.C. driver’s licence.
The extension is one of a list of changes proposed in the Act, including a new requirement that all motorcycle drivers and their passengers wear helmets that meet “certified safety-industry standards.”
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Under the amendments, motorcycle drivers would be responsible for making sure passengers under age 16 are wearing approved helmets. Unapproved helmets would be “subject to potential seizure by police,” the province said.
The amendments would also limit new drivers to “less powerful” motorcycles, which are still to be determined and would be laid out in regulations.
And motorcycle passengers, including those under 16, would be required to be able to position their feet on foot pegs or floor boards, the province said.
“No medical reasons”
Planned changes to the Act will also clarify the medical conditions or impairments that affect someone’s ability to drive and must be reported to the provincial Superintendent of Motor Vehicles.
Occupational therapists and nurse practitioners will be added to the list of practitioners who have a duty and authority to report under the Act. That list currently includes medical practitioners, optometrists and psychologists.
Also, the medical exemption for not wearing a seat belt is to be discontinued. “Current medical advice is that there are no medical reasons to not wear a seatbelt,” the province said.
