Class 1, Class 6, Two Different Classes of Citizens in Quebec

Here in the “Distinct Society” of Quebec, this is the way our drivers licences are rated. A “Class 1” is the equivalent of Ontario’s A-Z or the U.S. CDL. Let’s go back in history to make sense of the title. In the late 1990’s, many owner-operators had started a protest movement in many places around the province. High priced fuel, low rates, no contracts regulations were the main griefs. Bloquing roads, ports, refineries and just plain parking of the rigs had, within a few days some regions with empty store shelves, empty gas tanks and citizens complaining. The answer came from the National Assembly of Quebec very fast.

That answer from the elected Parti Québecois was a modification to the Highway Safety Code (Code de la sécurité routière) with Bill 130 that stopped in it’s tracks any form of roadside demonstrations. After all, we are only making our livings by hauling freight and as long as the freight is there, nobody really cares what happens to the professional driver.

About 20 years ago, the SAAQ modified the driver’s permit to different classes and sub classes. Class 1, as said previously is for commercial drivers, 2 busses, 3 straight trucks, 4 working vehicles, 5 automobiles-campers, 6 motorcycles. There is a few others for snowmobiles, scooters and farm tractors. Trying to balance their budgets and manage the risks, three years ago the SAAQ announced that motorcyclists, being a higher risk of bodily injuries, will pay more for their plates, already overpriced, and drivers permits, if on the permit. For some racer type bike with an engine over 401cc, the total cost of registration with the mandatory insurance is now at $1030.00 for this year.

All bikers, including myself, are outraged by a raise of 300% of the licencing fee. So, there is a few that decided to organise some protests by rolling on the major highways of the province at minimum legal speeds. This creates a line of bikes for kilometres. I agree with the protests, being a motorcyclist. But, being also a trucker, I am wondering when our government is going to slam to them a special law like they did to us in the late 90’s.

Don’t get me wrong, I do not send my complaints to the groups of motorcyclists, I am aiming at the government that is creating, again, two classes of citizens.