CVOR Safety Manual

The Ministry of Transportation of Ontario is responsible for the province’s highways and
is committed to making them safe, efficient and high quality. In support of this goal, the
Commercial Safety and Compliance Branch of the ministry has prepared this guide to
assist commercial truck and bus operators in understanding the legislative requirements
they are to meet in order to be safe and compliant on Ontario’s highways.
The use of this guide should increase knowledge of the provincial safety requirements
resulting in a more efficient and safe operation of truck and bus operators.
This guide is also the STUDY GUIDE for the Commercial Vehicle Operator’s
Registration (CVOR) written test. The CVOR test must be completed prior to obtaining
a CVOR certificate. See details in Module 4 – CVOR.
The test is based on information included in this manual. Even if some sections do not
apply to specific operators, it is important to read all materials in the manual prior to
taking the test.
When preparing for the CVOR test, the following modules are recommended to be
reviewed. Additionally, the appendices of this manual are intended for future reference
and are not included in the test questions.
Module 4 – CVOR
Module 5 – Ontario Specific Enforcement Issues
Module 7 – Safety Programs, Record Keeping and Driver Files
Module 8 – Preventive Maintenance, Record Keeping and Vehicle Files
Module 9 – Hours of Service
Please note: the CVOR test is not only based on these modules; however, it may assist
with focusing your study time.
Table of Contents
Module 1 – Introduction
Module 2 – Getting Started
Module 3 – National Safety Code
Module 4 – Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration
Module 5 – Ontario Specific Enforcement Issues
Module 6 – Facility Audit and Operator Monitoring and Intervention
Module 7 – Safety Programs Record Keeping and Driver Files
Module 8 – Preventive Maintenance, Record Keeping and Vehicle Files
Module 9 – Hours of Service
Module 10 – Dangerous Goods
Module 11 – Vehicle Weights and Dimensions
Module 12 – Driver and Vehicle Licensing
Module 13 – Passenger Transportation Services
Module 14 – Cargo Securement
Module 15 – Terms of Reference
Introduction – September 2022 1
Commercial Vehicle Operators’ Safety Manual
Module 1 – Introduction
Overview …………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 2
Purpose of this Guide ………………………………………………………………………………………… 3
Intended Users …………………………………………………………………………………………………. 5
Highlight of Modules Available in this Manual ……………………………………………………….. 6
Introduction – September 2022 2
Overview
The Commercial Safety and Compliance Branch of the Ministry of Transportation of
Ontario has prepared this guide to assist and ensure that truck and bus companies
(commercial vehicle operators) operate safely and are compliant with the regulations
that govern highway use. Ontario, other provinces, the Government of Canada and the
transportation industry developed the rules and regulations to help reduce the number
and severity of collisions. Each jurisdiction has used the National Safety Code
standards as guides in drafting their own transportation safety legislation. This approach
promotes uniformity across Canada and helps to ensure that the transportation industry
remains as viable and sustainable as possible.
This guide applies to Ontario operators of commercial motor vehicles that are:
▪ Trucks, tractors, mobile equipment vehicles or trailers and/or any combination of
these vehicles that have a registered gross weight or actual weight of more than
4,500 kilograms
▪ Tow trucks, regardless of registered gross weight or actual weight
▪ Buses with a manufactured seating capacity of 10 persons or more, excluding
the driver
▪ Accessible vehicles and school purposes vehicles, depending upon use
The guide contains several modules, each dealing with a specific topic. To get a
complete picture of compliance requirements, you should obtain the complete guide. If
you intend to use certain parts of this guide only (for example, Module 1, “Getting
Started”) it is recommended that you also obtain the modules “Introduction” and
“Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration.
”
This is a guide only and is not meant to be a substitute for the relevant statutes
and regulations. This guide highlights some important legal provisions but is not
an exhaustive description of all the laws that apply.
Introduction – September 2022 3
Purpose of this Guide
Ontario highways are shared by the public and by commercial vehicles of all
descriptions. Motorists have become more and more concerned about safety as a
result of increasing numbers of vehicles using the highways. This increase, especially
of heavier vehicles, contributes significantly to the wear and tear of the highway
infrastructure.
The Ministry of Transportation of Ontario is responsible for the province’s highways, and
is committed to making them safe, efficient and high quality. In support of that, the
Commercial Safety and Compliance Branch of the ministry has prepared this guide to
assist commercial truck and bus operators to operate safely and to be compliant with
the legislation that governs highway use.
The main reason for developing this guide is to help operators and drivers operate
commercial motor vehicles efficiently and safely by understanding and complying with
Ontario’s legislative requirements. The use of this guide should increase compliance
with safety requirements, resulting in a more efficient and safe operation.
Specifically, this guide was developed to:
▪ STUDY GUIDE: Provide information for the Commercial Vehicle Operator’s
Registration (CVOR) written test. The CVOR test must be completed prior to
obtaining a CVOR certificate. See details in Module 4 – CVOR
▪ Help existing and future drivers, managers and operators of truck and bus
companies understand applicable legislation and safe operating procedures
▪ Encourage operators to abide by the legislation and to implement safe operating
procedures
▪ Provide resources and contact information to current and future operators in
Ontario, Canada and the United States
▪ Increase cooperation and understanding between industry and government
▪ Help operators develop, update and implement their safety and maintenance
programs
▪ Provide direction and information for new drivers and operators in the industry
Introduction – September 2022 4
This guide will assist operators in complying with the legislation and related regulations
as follows:
▪ Highway Traffic Act (Ontario)
▪ Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act (Canada)
▪ Dangerous Goods Transportation Act
▪ Compulsory Automobile Insurance Act
▪ Public Vehicles Act
▪ Fuel Tax Act
This guide is not meant to be a substitute for this legislation. Copies of the relevant acts
and regulations for Ontario are available at no cost from the Ontario e-Laws website.
Copies of the federal legislation are available from the federal government.
Print Version of the Commercial Vehicle Operators’ Safety Manual
A copy of the complete Commercial Vehicle Operators’ Safety manual can be saved or
printed. The ministry does not produce printed versions of this manual.
Introduction – September 2022 5
Intended Users
This guide is intended to assist:
▪ New operators in the highway transportation industry, including but not limited to,
trucks that have a registered gross weight or actual weight of over 4,500
kilograms, and buses that can carry 10 or more passengers (excluding the driver)
▪ Tow truck operators
▪ New operators preparing to complete the Commercial Vehicle Operator’s
Registration (CVOR) written test.
▪ Existing operators who need to have a clear understanding of their
responsibilities, relevant acts, regulations and requirements
▪ Truck and bus operators who transport dangerous goods or have a specific
requirement covered in this guide
▪ Maintenance staff who repair, maintain and test-drive commercial vehicles
▪ Safety officers responsible for ensuring the safe operation of commercial vehicles
and driver safety
▪ Staff responsible for ensuring that administrative procedures are identified and
used
▪ Company management seeking to comply with legislative requirements
Introduction – September 2022 6
Highlight of Modules Available in this Manual

Title Description

1 Introduction Outline of the purpose of the Commercial Vehicle Operators’ Safety
Manual and the intended users.
2 Getting Started Provides a summary of some of the items to consider when setting up a
truck or bus business, including:

writing a business plan
International Registration Plan (IRP)
International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA)
3 National Safety Code Provides a list of relevant standards and a summary of the 16 National
Safety Codes for Canada and how they are adopted in Ontario.
4 Commercial Vehicle
Operator’s Registration
Provides a summary of the requirements under the Commercial Vehicle
Operator’s Registration (CVOR).
Identifies who needs to obtain a CVOR certificate and how to apply and
how a carrier safety rating is calculated.
5 Ontario Specific
Enforcement Issues
Provides information on enforcement issues that are specific to Ontario,
including:
Commercial Vehicle Impoundment Program (CVIP)
Speed Limiters
6 Facility Audit and Operator
Monitoring and Intervention
Provides details on how Ontario monitors, audits and applies sanctions to
operators who are not meeting their safety requirements.
7 Safety Programs Record-
Keeping and Driver Files
Provides best practices of record-keeping, hiring staff and developing a
safety program.
Outlines the record-keeping requirements for driver files.
8 Preventive Maintenance,
Record- Keeping and
Vehicle Files
Provides details, sample report and requirements for vehicle maintenance
and inspections. Includes:
Daily, annual, semi-annual and CVSA inspection
Safety standards certificates
Preventive maintenance
Out-of-province and US operators
9 Hours of Service Describes Ontario requirements related to reducing driver fatigue.
Outlines driving limitations, record-keeping requirements and an
operator’s responsibilities to be proactive and reactive with the monitoring
of their drivers.
10 Dangerous Goods Provides an overview of dangerous goods, including identifying them,
training staff, safety requirements and information, and emergency
contacts.
11 Vehicle Weights and
Dimensions
Describes weight and dimensions limitations for vehicles and the
oversize/overweight permit process.
12 Driver and Vehicle
Licensing
Provides an overview of vehicle registration requirements and driver-
licensing requirements.
Introduction – September 2022 7

Title Description

13 Passenger Transportation
Services
Provides a high-level overview of operating-authority requirements.
14 Cargo Securement Provides an overview of the directive to secure a vehicle’s cargo, including
securing devices, requirements and commodity-specific applications.
Getting Started – September 2022 8
Commercial Vehicle Operators’ Safety Manual
Module 2– Getting Started
Overview …………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 9
Getting Started – Learning Objectives………………………………………………………………… 10
Starting Your Business – and the Business Plan …………………………………………………. 11
MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 12
PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT ………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 13
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 14
International Registration Plan (IRP) ………………………………………………………………….. 15
REGISTERING WITH IRP…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 15
IRP APPLICATION PROCESS ………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 16
International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) ……………………………………………………………. 18
WHEN TO REGISTER WITH IFTA? ………………………………………………………………………………………………… 18
REGISTERING WITH IFTA …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 18
Helpful Links …………………………………………………………………………………………………… 20
Getting Started – September 2022 9
Overview
The Commercial Safety and Compliance Branch of the Ministry of Transportation of
Ontario has prepared this guide to assist and ensure that truck and bus companies
(commercial vehicle operators) operate safely and are compliant with the regulations
that govern highway use. Ontario, other provinces, the Government of Canada and the
transportation industry developed the rules and regulations to help reduce the number
and severity of collisions. Each jurisdiction has used the National Safety Code
standards as guides in drafting their own transportation safety legislation. This approach
promotes uniformity across Canada and helps to ensure that the transportation industry
remains as viable and sustainable as possible.
This guide applies to Ontario operators of commercial motor vehicles that are:
▪ Trucks, tractors, mobile equipment vehicles or trailers and/or any combination of
these vehicles that have a registered gross weight or actual weight of more than
4,500 kilograms
▪ Tow trucks, regardless of registered gross weight or actual weight
▪ Buses with a manufactured seating capacity of 10 persons or more, excluding
the driver
▪ Accessible vehicles and school purposes vehicles, depending upon use
The guide contains several modules, each dealing with a specific topic. To get a
complete picture of compliance requirements, you should obtain the complete guide. If
you intend to use certain parts of this guide only (for example, Module 1, “Getting
Started”) it is recommended that you also obtain the modules “Introduction” and
“Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration.
”
This is a guide only and is not meant to be a substitute for the relevant statutes
and regulations. This guide highlights some important legal provisions but is not
an exhaustive description of all the laws that apply.
Getting Started – September 2022 10
Getting Started – Learning Objectives
As you work through this module, you will be able to:
✓ Review information about, and consider writing, a business plan.
✓ Obtain information and requirements from the three levels of
government – municipal, provincial and federal.
✓ Apply to be a registrant in the International Registration Plan (IRP).
✓ Report fuel taxes when operating in different jurisdictions under the
International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA).
✓ Understand some of the items to consider when setting up a truck or bus
business. It is important to do as much in-depth research as possible on
each of these items before getting on the road.
For information on how to apply for a Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration
(CVOR) certificate see Module 4.
Getting Started – September 2022 11
Starting Your Business – and the Business Plan
Doing a bit of research, deciding what you really want to do, and putting that in a
business plan will guide you toward success. Your business plan will also be useful if
you require assistance from bankers, accountants and lawyers.
There are many resources available to help you write a business plan. These are
available from libraries, bookstores or the Ontario government website for business and
economy.
You can use these resources to write your own plan, or you could hire a professional to
help you. Whatever you decide to do, initially at least, your business plan should be
fairly simple and easily updated.
Once you have a clear idea of what you will be doing, you will need to set up the
business. In Ontario, businesses can be set up based upon your circumstances, such
as sole proprietorship, partnership, or limited (incorporated entity) company. Each of
these has different setup procedures, legal requirements and financial consequences.
Since you may eventually need a legal representative to set up your business, it is
worthwhile discussing with a lawyer the type of business that meets your needs.
Financial accounting is very important for the successful operation of any business. As
part of preparing your business plan, you should consult an accountant to discuss
financial record- keeping, business forms, choosing an appropriate year-end, tax and
other records, as well as accounting fees.
In summary, you should:
▪ Talk to your banker about the bank’s requirements.
▪ Talk to your accountant about accounting requirements.
▪ Set up your company using the services of a lawyer.
▪ Develop a business plan.
You may also decide to do all of the above on your own. For most people, this is a real
challenge. It will take you away from your core business activities and use up valuable
time. Spending a few hundred dollars working with your accountant and a legal firm
may be well worth it.
The Canadian Business Network website offers links to tools and guides
designed to assist you with developing your business idea, preparing a business
plan, assessing your entrepreneurial qualities – as well as providing an overview
of the benefits and challenges of owning a small business.
Getting Started – September 2022 12
Starting a Business
There are several tools and resources available to ensure that you have all the
requirements to operate your business. The following sources will help you identify:
permit requirements, tax accounts, employee payroll deductions, insurance
requirements, registering your business and so on.
Requirements specific to truck and bus operators are outlined in future modules of this
guide, such as “Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration.”
When you are starting a new business, it is recommended that you investigate your
requirements at all levels of government – municipal, provincial/territorial and federal.
As a commercial motor vehicle operator, you also should be knowledgeable of the
requirements for the jurisdictions in which you operate.
What follows are sources and links to assist new business owners.
Municipal Government
Each municipal government (city, town or county/rural municipality) has the authority to
issue its own business licences within its jurisdiction. Since each municipality differs,
you should consult with officials to decide how your business will be affected by local
regulations, taxation, licences or zoning requirements. You may also need to obtain
licences in municipalities in which you are not located but carry on business.
Depending upon the type of business you have, other regulations may apply:
health and safety, fire, transportation, environmental legislation, labour laws and
so on. For more information on municipal regulations and licences, contact the
clerk of the city, town, village or rural municipality where you plan to do business.
The telephone numbers are available in the telephone book or through directory
assistance.
Getting Started – September 2022 13
Provincial Government
To assist new or future business owners, Ontario has a web section called Business
and Economy.
Starting a Business
▪ Planning a Business
▪ Understanding the Marketplace
▪ Registering a Business
▪ Obtaining Financing
▪ Getting Permits and Licences
▪ Hiring and Managing Staff
▪ Developing Facilities and Property
Operating a Business
▪ Marketing and Selling
▪ Researching, Growing and Innovating
▪ Greening Your Business
▪ Finding Legal Services
▪ Filing Taxes and Tax Information
▪ Incorporating Your Business
▪ Selling to Government
▪ Exiting a Business
Ontario Ministry of Finance provides tools for tax requirements.
Ontario Ministry of Labour provides tools for employees, including employment
standards and health and safety.
Getting Started – September 2022 14
Federal Government
New or future business owners can find assistance from the federal government with its
information online at Canadian Business Networks
Starting a Business
▪ Is Entrepreneurship for You?
▪ Developing Your Ideas
▪ Developing Your Business Plan
▪ Business Name and Registration
▪ Buying a Business
▪ Forms of Business Organization
▪ Financing Your Business
▪ Choosing and Setting Up a Location
▪ Checklists and Guides for Starting a Business
About Canadian Business
▪ Starting a Business
▪ Growth and Innovation
▪ Grants and Finances
▪ Taxes
▪ Regulations, Licences and Permits
▪ Export, Import and Foreign Investment
▪ Hiring and Managing Staff
▪ Business Planning
▪ Management and Operations
▪ Market Research and Statistics
▪ Marketing and Sales
Getting Started – September 2022 15
▪ Selling to Government
▪ Copyright and Intellectual Property
▪ Environment and Business
▪ Exiting Your Business
Revenue Canada has additional tools for tax requirements and wage deduction
including a publication called RC4070 Guide for Canadian Small Businesses. See the
Canada Revenue Agency website for more information.
International Registration Plan (IRP)
IRP is a North American agreement for the distribution of commercial vehicle
registration fees. Operators with Ontario-plated vehicles operating in other jurisdictions
can apply through the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario prorate offices for
registration in other Canadian provinces or territories, or in individual states of the US.
Ontario implemented IRP on April 1, 2001. With the exception of charter or tour buses,
all operators travelling outside Ontario with vehicles having a gross vehicle weight in
excess of 11,793 kilograms or more than three axles, regardless of weight, should
register in IRP. Otherwise, these operators will have to purchase separate trip permits
to travel outside Ontario.
Charter or tour buses have full and free vehicle registration reciprocity in most states
and provinces. For this reason, these bus operators have the option of registering in
IRP or operating with only their home province/territory registration. Operators should
check to see if the jurisdiction(s) they will be travelling into or through grant charter- or
tour-bus reciprocity. Buses that operate in inter-jurisdictional, line-run (scheduled)
services must register in IRP.
The IRP provides blanket registration for trucks and buses as an alternative to individual
reciprocity agreements, and distributes truck and bus registration fees among member
jurisdictions based on the number of kilometres operators travel in other jurisdictions.
Vehicles will have one licence-plate and registration document (cab card), which allows
travel in all jurisdictions noted on the card.
Registering with IRP

One registration to operate in the provinces and states
One province or state to deal with for the IRP licence and to remit registration
fees
One province or state that collects the registration fees and distributes the fees to
all IRP provinces and states
Getting Started – September 2022 16
IRP Application Process
Operators may hand in or fax IRP applications to their local prorate offices. Once they
receive an application, it will be processed and a fee notice will be sent to the operator.
If changes are required, the operator should contact the prorate office and send in a
revised application. Once the operator is satisfied with the application, payment can be
made to the local prorate office. Credentials will be given in person to the operator by
the prorate staff, or sent to the operator by mail. Courier service is available at the
expense of the operator. Any original documents required for the transaction must be
made available to the prorate office before the credentials are released.
Under the IRP, an operator files an application in their home jurisdiction. The IRP
agreement allows the base jurisdiction to collect the registration fees for the other IRP
jurisdictions. These fees are based upon mileage and weight information submitted by
the operator.
The base jurisdiction issues cab cards for each vehicle. The cab card is the only
licence credential needed to operate a vehicle in all the member IRP jurisdictions. It
lists all the IRP jurisdictions and corresponding weights that the operator has requested.
All member IRP jurisdictions are required to comply with the following three basic
concepts:

Issuance of an apportioned licence plate
Issuance of a single registration document (or cab card)
Allowance to operate within or between jurisdictions
An IRP apportioned registration does NOT:
▪ Exempt an operator from the payment of motor-fuel taxes in any province or
state
▪ Exempt an operator from obtaining a bus operating authority licence and/or a
Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration
▪ Permit an operator to exceed maximum height, length, width and axle limitations
Information and registration forms are available through the Ministry of Transportation of
Ontario website.
Getting Started – September 2022 17
Getting Started – September 2022 18
International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA)
The province of Ontario is a member of IFTA. This agreement among Canadian
provinces/territories and American states simplifies the reporting of fuel taxes by
commercial vehicle operators who do business in more than one member
province/territory or state.
In order to register under IFTA, the minimum registered gross vehicle-weight
requirement is more than 11,797 kilograms (26,000 pounds) or a unit with three or more
axles, regardless of weight.
When to Register with IFTA?
You should register for IFTA with Ontario if:
Your commercial vehicles are considered a qualified motor vehicle. This means
a motor vehicle used for business purposes and
o has three or more axles, or
o weighs more than 11,797 kilograms (vehicle or vehicle and trailer).
For full details, refer to the definition of qualified motor vehicle.
You have an established place of business in Ontario where you maintain
operational control of your qualified motor vehicles.
You keep records for your qualified motor vehicles in Ontario or make these
records available to the Ontario Ministry of Finance.
Your qualified motor vehicles travel in Ontario and at least one other province or
state.
Registering with IFTA

One fuel-use licence to operate in the provinces and states
One province or state to deal with for the IFTA licence and to report motor fuel
taxes
One province or state that collects the motor fuel taxes from you and distributes
the taxes to all IFTA provinces and states based on distance travelled
Getting Started – September 2022 19
The Ontario ministries of Transportation and Finance have established an industry
advisory committee for IRP and IFTA. This group is composed of representatives from
the Ontario Trucking Association, the Ontario Motor Coach Association, the Private
Motor Truck Council of Canada, permitting agencies, private trucking firms and
representatives from both ministries. The committee meets when needed to discuss
issues regarding IRP service delivery in Ontario.
Information is available from the Ministry of Finance website or by calling 1-866-ONT-
TAXS (1-866-668-8297) or TTY: 1-800-263-7776.
Getting Started – September 2022 20
Helpful Links
Basic Travellers Information such as: interactive maps, road maps, weather
conditions, construction, border information etc. can be found on the MTO website:
www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/traveller/
Border Wait Times can be found on the Canadian Border Services Agencies website:
www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/bwt-taf/menu-eng.html
Free and Secure Trade information can be found on the Canadian Border Services
Agencies website: www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/prog/fast-expres/menu-eng.html
Other Canadian Sites
Transport Canada
Ontario provincial government
British Columbia provincial government
Alberta provincial government
Saskatchewan provincial government
Manitoba provincial government
Quebec Provincial government
Newfoundland and Labrador provincial government
Nova Scotia provincial government
New Brunswick provincial government
Prince Edward Island provincial government
Northwest Territories government
Yukon territorial government
Nunavut territorial government
Canadian Council of Motor Transportation Administrators (CCMTA)
Getting Started – September 2022 21
US Sites
US Department of Transportation
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
Federal Highway Administration
Ontario Legislation and the National Safety Code – September 2022 22
Commercial Vehicle Operators’ Safety Manual
Module 3 – Ontario Legislation and the National
Safety Code
Overview ……………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 23
Ontario Legislation and NSC – Learning Objectives …………………………………………….. 24
Important Acts and Regulations ………………………………………………………………………… 25
ONTARIO LEGISLATION ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 25
FEDERAL LEGISLATION ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 26
INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS ……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 26
COPIES OF LEGISLATION AND REGULATIONS………………………………………………………………………………….. 26
The National Safety Code (NSC) and Provincial Legislation ………………………………….. 27
Ontario Legislation and the National Safety Code – September 2022 23
Overview
The Commercial Safety and Compliance Branch of the Ministry of Transportation of
Ontario has prepared this guide to assist and ensure that truck and bus companies
(commercial vehicle operators) operate safely and are compliant with the regulations
that govern highway use. Ontario, other provinces, the Government of Canada and the
transportation industry developed the rules and regulations to help reduce the number
and severity of collisions. Each jurisdiction has used the National Safety Code
standards as guides in drafting their own transportation safety legislation. This approach
promotes uniformity across Canada and helps to ensure that the transportation industry
remains as viable and sustainable as possible.
This guide applies to Ontario operators of commercial motor vehicles that are:
▪ Trucks, tractors, mobile equipment vehicles or trailers and/or any combination of
these vehicles that have a registered gross weight or actual weight of more than
4,500 kilograms
▪ Tow trucks, regardless of registered gross weight or actual weight
▪ Buses with a manufactured seating capacity of 10 persons or more, excluding
the driver
▪ Accessible vehicles and school purposes vehicles, depending upon use
The guide contains several modules, each dealing with a specific topic. To get a
complete picture of compliance requirements, you should obtain the complete guide. If
you intend to use certain parts of this guide only (for example, Module 1, “Getting
Started”) it is recommended that you also obtain the modules “Introduction” and
“Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration.”
This is a guide only and is not meant to be a substitute for the relevant statutes
and regulations. This guide highlights some important legal provisions but is not
an exhaustive description of all the laws that apply.
Ontario Legislation and the National Safety Code – September 2022 24
Ontario Legislation and NSC – Learning Objectives
As you work through this module, you will be able to:
✓ Access the regulations under the Highway Traffic Act that affect commercial
vehicle operators.
✓ Know how the NSC standards are applied and enforced in Ontario.
✓ Describe how the NSC relates to provincial and federal legislation.
✓ Describe the 16 standards of the NSC.
Ontario Legislation and the National Safety Code – September 2022 25
Important Acts and Regulations
Several legal acts affect a commercial vehicle operator. It is important to be familiar
with these acts and with their regulations. Some are federal and apply all across
Canada. Others are provincial and apply only in Ontario. Many regulations are similar
across Canada and through parts of the United States. But, be aware whenever your
vehicles are driven into a different province, territory or state that some regulations may
not be the same on the other side of the border. For more information, visit some of the
websites for the specific jurisdiction in which you travel.
See Module 2, “Getting Started,” for a list of helpful links.
Ontario Legislation
All drivers, vehicles and roadways within the Province of Ontario fall under the
Highway Traffic Act (HTA) and its related regulations.
The regulations that primarily affect commercial vehicle operators include:
HTA Regulation 629 (Accessible Vehicles)
HTA Regulation 199/07 (Commercial Motor Vehicle Inspections)
HTA Regulation 424/97 (Commercial Motor Vehicle Operators’ Information)
HTA Regulation 577 (Covering of Loads)
HTA Regulation 512/97 (Critical Defects of Commercial Motor Vehicle)
HTA Regulation 340/94 (Drivers’ Licences)
HTA Regulation 587 (Equipment) (Includes Speed Limiters)
HTA Regulation 596 (General)
HTA Regulation 555/06 (Hours of Service)
HTA Regulation 601 (Motor Vehicle Inspection Stations)
HTA Regulation 611 (Safety Inspections) (Includes On-Road Standards)
HTA Regulation 612 (School Buses)
HTA Regulation 363/04 (Security of Loads)
HTA Regulation 618 (Specifications and Standards for Trailer Couplings)
Ontario Legislation and the National Safety Code – September 2022 26
HTA Regulation 625 (Tire Standards and Specifications)
HTA Regulation 628 (Vehicle Permits)
HTA Regulation 341/94 (Driver Licence Examinations)
HTA Regulation 413/05 (Vehicle Weights and Dimensions)
Dangerous Goods Transportation Act
Compulsory Automobile Insurance Act
Federal Legislation
Motor Vehicle Transport Act (MVTA), 1987, T-6 RSA 2000
MVTA Commercial Vehicle Drivers Hours of Service Regulations, 2005,
SOR/2005-313
Motor Vehicle Safety Fitness Certificate Regulation, SOR/2005-180
Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act
International Agreements
International Fuel Tax Agreement
International Registration Plan
Copies of Legislation and Regulations
Copies of the Highway Traffic Act and related Ontario regulations are available at
no cost on the e-laws website.
Ontario Legislation and the National Safety Code – September 2022 27
The National Safety Code (NSC) and Provincial Legislation
Ontario, other provinces/territories, the Government of Canada and the transportation
industry developed the NSC to help reduce the number and severity of collisions. Each
jurisdiction is encouraged to use the NSC standards as guides in drafting their own
transportation safety legislation. This approach promotes uniformity across Canada and
helps to ensure that the transportation industry remains as viable and sustainable as
possible.
It is important to note that the provincial legislation and applicable federal legislation
directs operators within each province, not the NSC standards.
A complete copy of the standards is available on the Canadian Council of Motor
Transport Administrators website.
NSC Standards and the Ontario Highway Traffic Act
The following NSC standards are listed with the applicable Ontario act and
regulation. This information is included to help you know and understand how
each standard is applied in Ontario.
NSC Standard #1 – Single Driver Licence Concept
A standard implemented by all jurisdictions that makes it an offence for a driver to hold
more than one licence. In addition, a series of administrative procedures has been
agreed upon to ensure driving infractions are assigned to a single licence and record.
Regulated in Ontario by:
▪ Highway Traffic Act
▪ HTA; Drivers’ Licences; O. Reg 340/94
NSC Standard #2 – Knowledge and Performance Tests (Drivers)
A standard that sets out the process for standardized testing of commercial drivers and
includes the criteria for both written and road tests. It also identifies the key elements
that will be evaluated by government officials charged with administering the tests.
Regulated in Ontario by:
▪ HTA
▪ HTA; Drivers’ Licence Examinations; O. Reg 341/94
Ontario Legislation and the National Safety Code – September 2022 28
NSC Standard #3 – Driver Examiner Training Program
A standard designed to upgrade the skills and knowledge of driver examiners and
ensure that they are consistent across Canada.
Regulated in Ontario by:
▪ HTA
▪ HTA; Drivers’ Licence Examinations; O. Reg 341/94
NSC Standard #4 – Classified Driver Licensing System
A standard that renders a more uniform classification and endorsement system for
driver licences and ensures that a licence issued in one province/territory is recognized
in all provinces/territories.
Regulated in Ontario by:
▪ HTA
HTA; Drivers’ Licences; O. Reg 340/94
This regulation establishes the 12 classes of driver licences in Ontario: A, B, C, D, E, F,
G, G1, G2, M, M1 and M2. The endorsement information explains requirements for
specific supplementary driver qualifications.
NSC Standard #5 – Self-Certification Standard and Procedures
A standard outlining the criteria that must be met to permit operators and driver-
training schools to train commercial drivers.
Regulated in Ontario by:
▪ HTA
▪ HTA; Licences for Driving Instructors and Driving Schools; O. Reg. 473/07
This regulation establishes the training and driver-testing requirements for
operators and driving schools.
NSC Standard #6 – Medical Standards for Drivers
These are the medical standards for drivers from the Canadian Council of Motor
Transport Administrators. Initially Standard #6 of the National Safety Code for Motor
Carriers, they set the medical criteria used to establish whether drivers are medically fit
to drive. This standard addresses both private and commercial drivers.
Ontario Legislation and the National Safety Code – September 2022 29
Regulated in Ontario by:
▪ HTA
▪ HTA; Drivers’ Licences; O. Reg 340/94
This regulation establishes the initial medical requirements for each class of
driver’s licence and also the requirements for periodic re-examinations.
NSC Standard #7 – Carrier and Driver Profiles
A standard that is designed to provide jurisdictions with a record of driver and operator
performance in terms of compliance with safety rules and regulations. This standard
supports enforcement activity to remove unsatisfactory drivers and operators from
service, and identifies the type of information that will be maintained about each
commercial driver and operator.
Regulated in Ontario by:
▪ HTA
▪ HTA; Commercial Motor Vehicle Operators’ Information; O. Reg. 424/97
This legislation establishes the minimum list of requirements in each jurisdiction’s
control system, including records of infractions, collisions, on-road inspections
and facility audits. The information is exchanged among Canadian jurisdictions
to obtain complete operator profiles.
NSC Standard #8 – Short-Term Suspensions
A standard that describes the criteria for placing a driver out of service on a
short-term (24-hour) basis when a peace officer has reasonable and probable
grounds to believe the driver’s ability is affected by alcohol, drugs or fatigue.
Regulated in Ontario by regional and provincial police.
This legislation provides for the suspension of a driver’s licence for up to 24
hours when the driver’s ability to operate a vehicle is impaired by alcohol, fatigue
or drugs.
NSC Standard #9 – Hours of Service
A standard that describes the number of hours a driver can be on duty and operate a
commercial vehicle. It outlines the requirement to complete daily logs, describes the
various cycles of operation and sets out driver and operator record-keeping
requirements.
Ontario Legislation and the National Safety Code – September 2022 30
Regulated in Ontario by:
▪ HTA
▪ HTA; Hours of Service; O. Reg. 555/06
▪ MVTA; Commercial Vehicle Drivers Hours of Service Regulation, (Federal),
SOR/2005-313
This legislation establishes a commercial driver’s allowed hours of service while
travelling within Ontario and when crossing into other Canadian and US
jurisdictions.
NSC Standard #10 – Cargo Securement
A standard that outlines the specific requirements for securing loads to
commercial vehicles, to ensure they do not shift, move or spill onto the roadway.
Regulated in Ontario by:
▪ HTA
▪ HTA; Security of Loads; O. Reg. 363/04
This regulation establishes the minimum requirements for securing loads.
NSC Standard #11B – Commercial Vehicle Maintenance and Inspection Standards
A standard that outlines maintenance and periodic inspections.
Regulated in Ontario by:
▪ HTA
▪ HTA; Safety Inspections; O. Reg. 611
▪ HTA; Motor Vehicle Inspection Stations; O. Reg. 601
These regulations establish the minimum standards for the periodic inspection of
commercial vehicles. Detailed procedures were developed by a task force of
government and industry representatives.
Ontario Legislation and the National Safety Code – September 2022 31
NSC Standard #12 – Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance On-Road Inspections
A standard that contains the on-road inspection criteria from the Alliance.
Adopted by Ontario
▪ HTA, Section 84
▪ Commercial Vehicle Drivers Hours of Service Regulation (Federal), SOR/2005-
313
These criteria and inspections set the minimum standards for the roadside
inspection of drivers and vehicles, as established by the Commercial Vehicle
Safety Alliance. Canada, the US and Mexico have adopted this program as part
of their on-road enforcement programs. The criteria outline when vehicle and
driver conditions constitute an imminent hazard and can no longer operate on the
highway.
NSC Standard #13 – Trip Inspection
A standard that prescribes daily trip-inspection requirements.
Regulated in Ontario by:
▪ HTA
▪ HTA; Commercial Motor Vehicle Inspections; O. Reg 199/07
This regulation requires drivers to conduct vehicle inspections and prepare
vehicle trip- inspection reports, and notify the operator of any defects. The
operator is then required to repair the reported defects before the vehicle is
driven on the highway again.
NSC Standard #14 – Safety Rating
A standard that establishes the motor carrier safety-rating framework by which each
jurisdiction assesses the safety performance of operators.
Regulated in Ontario by:
▪ HTA
▪ HTA; Commercial Motor Vehicle Operators’ Information; O. Reg. 424/97
Ontario Legislation and the National Safety Code – September 2022 32
This regulation establishes an operator’s carrier safety ratings and how sanctions
are imposed when necessary. This is applied uniformly across Canada.
Information about the driver and the carrier profile system is exchanged through
an inter-provincial system. This produces a nationally consistent assessment of
an operator’s safety rating performance and a way to determine whether that
performance is adequate to allow continued operation.
NSC Standard #15 – Facility Audits
A standard that outlines the audit process used by jurisdictions to determine an
operator’s level of compliance with all applicable safety standards.
Regulated in Ontario by:
▪ HTA
▪ HTA; Commercial Motor Vehicle Operators’ Information; O. Reg. 424/97
This legislation establishes the requirements for the maintenance of records at an
operator’s principal place of business, for on-site review and assessment by
government auditors of the operator’s safety performance and overall compliance with
NSC standards.
NSC Standard #16 – First Aid Training
A voluntary standard outlining the elements that should be included in a basic first-aid
course for commercial drivers.
It is recommended that drivers of commercial vehicles complete an approved
first-aid training and/or an occupational health-and-safety program.
There is currently no legislative requirement in the HTA to support this standard.
Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration – September 2022 33
Commercial Vehicle Operators’ Safety Manual
Module 4 – Commercial Vehicle Operator’s
Registration
Overview ……………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 35
Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration – Learning Objectives ……………………….. 36
Introduction ……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 37
CVOR Requirements ……………………………………………………………………………………….. 38
EXEMPTIONS …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 38
CVOR Written Test………………………………………………………………………………………….. 40
WHEN SHOULD THE CVOR TEST BE COMPLETED …………………………………………………………………………… 40
WHO IS REQUIRED TO TAKE THE CVOR TEST ……………………………………………………………………………….. 40
TIME LIMITS TO COMPLETE ………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 40
WHERE TO GO ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 40
WHAT TO BRING ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 40
HOW TO PREPARE……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 41
CVOR OPERATOR RESPONSIBILITIES ………………………………………………………………………………………….. 42
CVOR Application …………………………………………………………………………………………… 43
CVOR APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS ………………………………………………………………………………………….. 43
RENEWAL OF YOUR CVOR CERTIFICATE ……………………………………………………………………………………… 43
How the CVOR System Works ………………………………………………………………………….. 44
JURISDICTIONS OUTSIDE CANADA ……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 44
LEASE …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 45
Reporting CVOR Changes or Errors ………………………………………………………………….. 45
CORPORATE OFFICERS/DIRECTORS …………………………………………………………………………………………….. 45
FLEET SIZE/KILOMETRES TRAVELLED…………………………………………………………………………………………… 45
NAME/ADDRESS ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 45
THE OPERATOR’S FLEET SIZE …………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 46
FLEET/KILOMETRIC DATA ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 46
CVOR Abstracts ……………………………………………………………………………………………… 47
CARRIER CVOR ABSTRACT (LEVEL II) …………………………………………………………………………………………. 47
COLLISIONS ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 47
CONVICTIONS …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 48
INSPECTIONS ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 48
FACILITY AUDITS ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 49
Ministry Interventions and Sanctions ………………………………………………………………….. 49
Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration – September 2022 34
POINTS ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 49
INSPECTION OUT-OF-SERVICE RATES ………………………………………………………………………………………….. 50
Evaluating an Operator’s Performance ………………………………………………………………. 51
INTERVENTIONS AND SANCTIONS ………………………………………………………………………………………………… 51
SANCTIONS …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 52
VIOLATION RATES ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 52
Carrier Safety Rating ……………………………………………………………………………………….. 53
Appendix A – CVOR Formula …………………………………………………………………………… 61
Appendix B – Threshold Values ………………………………………………………………………… 69
Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration – September 2022 35
Overview
The Commercial Safety and Compliance Branch of the Ministry of Transportation of
Ontario has prepared this guide to assist and ensure that truck and bus companies
(commercial vehicle operators) operate safely and are compliant with the regulations
that govern highway use. Ontario, other provinces, the Government of Canada and the
transportation industry developed the rules and regulations to help reduce the number
and severity of collisions. Each jurisdiction has used the National Safety Code
standards as guides in drafting their own transportation safety legislation. This approach
promotes uniformity across Canada and helps to ensure that the transportation industry
remains as viable and sustainable as possible.
This guide applies to Ontario operators of commercial motor vehicles that are:
▪ Trucks, tractors, mobile equipment vehicles or trailers and/or any combination of
these vehicles that have a registered gross weight or actual weight of more than
4,500 kilograms
▪ Tow trucks, regardless of registered gross weight or actual weight
▪ Buses with a manufactured seating capacity of 10 persons or more, excluding
the driver
▪ Accessible vehicles and school purposes vehicles, depending upon use
The guide contains several modules, each dealing with a specific topic. To get a
complete picture of compliance requirements, you should obtain the complete guide. If
you intend to use certain parts of this guide only (for example, Module 1, “Getting
Started”) it is recommended that you also obtain the modules “Introduction” and
“Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration.
”
This is a guide only and is not meant to be a substitute for the relevant statutes
and regulations. This guide highlights some important legal provisions but is not
an exhaustive description of all the laws that apply.
Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration – September 2022 36
Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration – Learning Objectives
As you work through this module, you will be able to:
✓ Identify which truck and bus companies are required to register for a
Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration (CVOR).
✓ Understand your responsibilities as a CVOR holder.
✓ Know how to apply for a CVOR and gather the required information.
✓ Know when you need to renew your CVOR.
✓ Know the fees associated with the CVOR program.
✓ Develop an understanding of how the CVOR system works.
✓ Develop an understanding of the CVOR abstract.
✓ Know how intervention and sanctions are applied to a CVOR holder.
✓ Develop an understanding of the Carrier Safety Rating system.
Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration – September 2022 37
Introduction
The Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration (CVOR) system and the Carrier Safety
Rating (CSR) program were developed by the Ministry of Transportation as part of
Ontario’s ongoing commitment to road safety. These programs promote the safe
operation of trucks and buses on Ontario’s roadways.
Each operator is responsible for monitoring its CVOR record and the performance
information it provides, including violation rates, thresholds, audit scores and resulting
safety rating. The operator should identify and address problem areas in order to
improve their commercial motor vehicle safety performance.
The CVOR system is part of the Carrier Safety Rating program. The Ministry of
Transportation monitors operators and assigns each a safety rating based on several
factors: collisions, inspections and convictions, as well as the results of facility audits.
The CVOR system tracks the on-road safety performance of operators of the following
vehicles:
▪ Trucks that have a gross weight or registered gross weight over 4,500 kilograms
(9,920 lb)
▪ Tow trucks, regardless of registered gross weight or actual weight
▪ Buses that have a designed seating capacity of 10 or more passengers
The goal of the CVOR system is to improve road safety for all users of Ontario
highways by having an effective monitoring and intervention system for operators. Poor
performance may result in the loss of privileges to operate commercial motor vehicles.
For more information on the Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration program
contact:
Carrier Sanctions and Investigation Office
Ministry of Transportation
301 St. Paul Street, 3rd Floor
St. Catharines, ON L2R 7R4
Tel: 1-800-387-7736 (within Ontario only) or 1-416-246-7166
Fax: 905-704-2039
Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration – September 2022 38
CVOR Requirements
A CVOR certificate is required to operate commercial motor vehicles that are:
▪ Plated in Ontario,
▪ Plated in the US
▪ Plated in Mexico.
Vehicles that are plated in other Canadian provinces or territories – but not Ontario – do
not need a CVOR certificate. They require a safety fitness certificate (NSC number)
from the province or territory in which the vehicle is plated, excluding Quebec that
require a numéro d’Identification au Registre (NIR).
Note: For-hire operators of buses, including motor coaches, school buses and school-
purpose vehicles, or any other motor vehicle including cars, vans and limos may also
require an operating authority under the Ontario Public Vehicles Act and Motor Vehicle
Transport Act (Canada). Contact the Ontario Highway Transport Board at (416) 326-
6732 for more information.
Ontario confirms the Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration (CVOR) status of
owners of trucks and buses that are required to be operated under the authority of a
valid CVOR. This will be completed at the time of registration or renewal of the licence
plate for their truck or bus. If a vehicle is not exempt from the requirement to hold a
valid CVOR, owners may not be able to attach a licence plate or renew the licence plate
on the truck or bus.
Exemptions
Operators with certain types of vehicles do not need a CVOR certificate. These
vehicles include:
▪ A truck or bus that is plated in another Canadian jurisdiction
▪ A truck, other than a tow truck, with a registered gross weight (RGW) and a gross
weight of 4,500 kilograms or less, whether towing a trailer or not (see
Determining RGW)
▪ A truck or bus leased by an individual for 30 days or less to move their personal
goods, or to carry passengers at no fare
▪ An ambulance, fire apparatus, hearse, casket wagon
▪ An unladen truck or bus operating under the authority of a dealer plate or service
plate
Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration – September 2022 39
▪ A bus used for personal purposes without compensation
▪ A motor home used for personal purposes
▪ A pickup truck used for personal purposes (for more information on personal use
pickup-truck exemptions, refer to: www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/trucks/commercial-
vehicle-faq.shtml#a15
Note: For current exemptions, please refer to the Highway Traffic Act.
Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration – September 2022 40
CVOR Written Test
The Ministry of Transportation (MTO) requires all Ontario-based operators who apply for
a Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration (CVOR) certificate to complete a CVOR
written test. Operators will be required to demonstrate knowledge of Ontario’s safety
laws by completing this test in person at a DriveTest Centre before MTO will issue a
CVOR certificate.
When Should the CVOR Test be Completed
The CVOR Test is to be completed after MTO has accepted your application for a
CVOR certificate
Who is Required to Take the CVOR Test
The CVOR test must be completed by an individual on behalf of an operator applying
for the CVOR, that individual is not considered to have successfully completed the
CVOR test on behalf of any other operator. This individual must be the owner, sole
proprietor, corporate officer or director of a corporation.
Time Limits to Complete
The CVOR test may be attempted as many times as needed; however, the test must be
successfully completed within six months of MTO accepting the application.
Where to Go
The CVOR test must be completed in person at a DriveTest Centre in Ontario. To find
a DriveTest Centre location near you, visit the DriveTest website.
What to Bring
MTO will provide an applicant with an application confirmation letter once an application
has been processed, outlining your requirement to complete the CVOR test including:
▪ How to locate a DriveTest Centre;
▪ Who is required to complete the test (owner, sole proprietor, corporate officer or
director of a corporation listed on your application);
▪ What to bring
o Copy of the application confirmation letter
o Photo identification
o Test fee of $32.
Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration – September 2022 41
Once the CVOR test is successfully completed, DriveTest will notify the MTO and the
CVOR certificate may be issued. This requires 24-hours to process.
How to Prepare
The CVOR test is multi-choice and based on the content of this manual, the
Commercial Motor Vehicle Operators’ Safety manual.
You can also prepare by completing the CVOR practice test.
New applicants are required to complete the CVOR application process and once
notified by MTO by receipt of an application confirmation letter, complete the test in-
person at a DriveTest Location.
You will be required to bring your application confirmation letter from MTO and
photo identification with you to the DriveTest centre location in order to complete your
test.
Note: DriveTest staff will only administer the CVOR test to those identified on the
application confirmation letter from MTO. This includes the owner, sole proprietor,
corporate officer or director of a corporation as per the information the applicant
provided on their application form. DriveTest staff will require photo identification and a
copy of the MTO application confirmation letter to confirm the identity of the individual
completing the test.
If you require a corporate officer or director to be added to your file or require a
second copy of the application confirmation letter provided by MTO you must
contact the Carrier Sanctions and Investigation Office.
Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration – September 2022 42
CVOR Operator Responsibilities
A CVOR operator is the person or legal entity responsible for the operation of a
commercial motor vehicle. The operator is responsible for:
▪ The conduct of the driver
▪ The mechanical safety condition of the vehicle
▪ The goods or passengers on the vehicle
The operator does not necessarily need to be the vehicle owner, but must be able to
immediately produce a valid CVOR certificate for the legal entity when using vehicles
that are leased or contracted.
Operators are responsible for all the drivers and vehicles in their operation. For
example, these responsibilities include:
▪ Employing qualified and licensed drivers
▪ Monitoring the safety performance of drivers, including hours of service
▪ Resolving driver safety issues when they are identified
▪ Keeping vehicles in good, safe condition at all times
▪ Ensuring load security
▪ Ensuring that daily and annual/semi-annual inspections are completed
▪ Keeping records on file (for example, vehicle repairs, kilometres travelled per
year, annual inspection reports and so on)
▪ Notifying the ministry of changes such as name, address, telephone numbers,
fleet data, kilometric travel, changes in corporate officers and so on
Among other Provincial & Federal legislative requirements, operators must comply with
all regulations and legislation under the Highway Traffic Act in order to operate a
business in Ontario. Failing to comply may result in sanctions or loss of operating
privileges.
Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration – September 2022 43
CVOR Application
To apply for a CVOR certificate, an operator must complete a Commercial Vehicle
Operator’s Registration certificate application and pay the required fee. Operators can
print the application form and guidelines
Operators can also obtain an application form by contacting Carrier Sanctions and
Investigation Office
CVOR Application Requirements
The CVOR application requires information about the operator such as:
▪ Type of operation
▪ Corporate officers, directors and partners
▪ Fleet size
▪ Kilometres travelled
▪ Authorized signature
Upon completing the application process, new applicants are required to complete a
CVOR written test. New Ontario-based applicants must successfully pass the CVOR
test prior to being issued a CVOR certificate and obtaining the ability to operate on
Ontario roads.
Additional documentation may be required for new applicants (for example, articles of
incorporation, master business licence and so on).
After the Ministry receives and processes the completed application, the CVOR
certificate will be mailed to the operator.
Renewal of Your CVOR Certificate
CVOR certificates are assigned an expiry date. New applicants for CVOR certificates
will be assigned an expiry date at time of issuance.
Annual renewal will be required for all operators, except those with Carrier Safety
Ratings of “satisfactory” or “excellent”. These operators will be required to renew their
certificate only every two years.
Operators will be sent a notice 60 days prior to expiry. An operator that does not renew
prior to the expiry date is liable to a fine and possibly to imprisonment, under section
21(2) of the Highway Traffic Act, if one or more of its commercial motor vehicles is
found operating on an Ontario highway.
Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration – September 2022 44
How the CVOR System Works
The CVOR system monitors an operator’s record over a two-year period. This
automated computer system contains information that includes:
▪ Operator information
▪ Convictions
▪ Reportable collisions
▪ Safety inspections (conducted to CVSA criteria)
▪ Ministry interventions (for example, letters, interviews, audits and sanctions)
The CVOR certificate identifies the operator and contains a unique nine-digit
identification number. A copy of the certificate (or original) must be carried in each
commercial motor vehicle operated under the CVOR certificate. Operators must
surrender the certificate for inspection purposes when requested by an MTO
enforcement officer or police officer.
Jurisdictions Outside Canada
Operators of commercial motor vehicles in Ontario that are plated in any jurisdiction
outside Canada must apply for, and obtain, a CVOR certificate.
Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration – September 2022 45
Lease
Where a lease is involved, it must identify both the vehicle and the lessee’s CVOR
number if the CVOR certificate is not carried in the vehicle. Documented proof of the
lease must also be carried in the vehicle.
Reporting CVOR Changes or Errors
(Current CVOR Registrants)
Under the Highway Traffic Act (HTA), changes to corporate officers (officers, directors
or partners), operator name or address must be reported to the ministry within 15 days.
Changes to shareholders should not be reported.
The HTA requires that changes to fleet size and kilometres travelled must also be
reported to the Deputy Registrar. A change that increases or decreases an operator’s
fleet size by more than 20 percent must be reported within 15 days after the change.
Updated operator information must also be reported to the Deputy Registrar upon
receiving a request for this information. Failure to do so could result in charges
being laid against the operator and is a condition of retaining a CVOR certificate.
A new certificate will only be issued for changes to the operator name, or if a
replacement is required due to loss, damage and so on. All name changes require
proper and legal supporting documentation.
Corporate Officers/Directors
If there is a change of corporate officers and/or directors, the operator must contact
MTO Carrier Sanctions and Investigation Office to have a CVOR update application
sent to them.
Fleet Size/Kilometres Travelled
If there is a change in fleet size or kilometres travelled, the operator must contact MTO
Carrier Sanctions and Investigation Office to have a CVOR update application sent to
them.
Note: Changes to fleet size and rate of travel are not automatically captured through
the province’s vehicle registration system (for example, licence-plate renewal, permit
purchase or deletion).
Name/Address
Name or address changes for an individual can be made at a driver and vehicle licence-
issuing office through the vehicle registration system.
Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration – September 2022 46
Address changes for a corporation can be made at a driver and vehicle licence-issuing
office.
Name changes for a corporation must be made through the Licensing Administration
and Support Office by mail, at Bldg A, 87 Sir William Hearst Ave, Toronto, ON M3M
0B4, by telephone at (416) 246-7103, or by fax at (416) 235-4414.
Note: A new CVOR certificate will be issued for name changes, but not for address
changes.
The Operator’s Fleet Size
All commercial motor vehicle’s must be reported as part of an operator’s fleet size
including all trucks (leased, rented and owned) having a gross weight or registered
gross weight of more than 4,500 kilograms, all tow trucks and all buses. (A bus is a
motor vehicle designed to carry 10 or more passengers, not including the driver.)
Trailers and converter dollies are not counted as part of the fleet size.
These include:
▪ All commercial motor vehicles in an operator’s fleet that are plated in Ontario, the
US or Mexico
These do not include:
▪ Any commercial motor vehicles in an operator’s fleet that are plated in other
Canadian jurisdictions
▪ Any trailers and trailer converter dollies in an operator’s fleet
Fleet/Kilometric Data
The Highway Traffic Act requires operators to report fleet size and travel information to
the ministry within 15 days after a change in the fleet size of 20 percent greater or less
than last reported, as well as upon request. If the fleet size or rate of travel fluctuates
throughout the year, the average rate of travel in Canada for the fleet operating in or
through Ontario should be reported.
Operators must maintain records (over a period of up to 24 months) demonstrating the
kilometres travelled by the trucks and buses in its fleet.
Operators must report any significant changes in:
▪ Total kilometres driven in Ontario
▪ Total kilometres driven in all other Canadian jurisdictions
Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration – September 2022 47
▪ Total kilometres driven outside of Canada
Note: For more information on determining fleet size and rate of travel please contact
MTO Carrier Sanctions and Investigation Office.
CVOR Abstracts
A CVOR abstract is a document that displays information about an operator and that
operator’s safety performance. There are three CVOR abstracts available:
▪ Public CVOR Abstract (Level I) is a one-page document available to the
general public summarizing an operator’s record over a two-year period.
▪ Carrier CVOR Abstract (Level II) is available only to the operator or their
authorized agent, and includes summary data over a two-year period, as well as
detailed event data for collisions, convictions and inspections for a five-year
period.
▪ CVOR Driver Abstract is a five-year record of collisions associated with a
conviction of the driver for a safety-related offence, convictions and inspections
relating to the driver (while operating a commercial motor vehicle in Ontario only).
The driver-licence status and medical due date are also shown.
Carrier CVOR Abstract (Level II)
Collisions, convictions and inspections appear on a Carrier CVOR Abstract (Level II) in
the following ways:
Collisions
Reportable collisions that occurred in Ontario are received by MTO from the police.
Reportable collisions that occurred in other Canadian jurisdictions are reported by those
jurisdictions via a Canada-wide, data-exchange system. Only those out-of-province
collisions that occurred after April 1, 2007, will appear on a carrier abstract. A
“reportable accident” involves damage over $2,000 and/or personal injury.
Collisions are assigned points based on the severity of the collision and other
information on the motor vehicle accident report. The report may also include written
information on charges laid.
Collisions where no improprieties or vehicle defects are noted on the police report
appear on the operator’s CVOR record but do not incur points (for example, zero
pointed). Collisions reported at a collision reporting centre (self-reporting) are also
included on the operator’s record and may also be pointed.
Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration – September 2022 48
Convictions
An officer may lay a charge against a driver or operator. Convictions resulting from
driver or operator charges are recorded on the operator’s CVOR record with point
values based on severity.
Convictions for offences that occurred in other Canadian jurisdictions are received by
MTO via a Canada-wide data, exchange system. These out-of-province convictions will
appear on a Carrier CVOR Abstract (Level II).
Inspections
An officer may conduct an inspection of a commercial motor vehicle. Inspections are
conducted according to the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) standards,
which are applied by all jurisdictions across North America. Inspections can result in
the following findings:
▪ Defects
▪ Out-of-service defects
▪ Critical defects that can cause the vehicle to be impounded
Driver or vehicle inspection categories that do not meet the minimum standard are
considered out-of-service.
When mechanical defects exceed the critical defect criteria, the ministry may impound
the vehicle. In such a situation, extra points are not added on the CVOR record.
However, this event does appear on the CVOR record, and could result in the operator
being recommended for an intervention.
All levels of CVSA inspections performed by an officer anywhere in Canada will appear
on a carrier abstract. This includes passed inspections, as well as those with defects
and defects that are out-of-service.
There are five levels of CVSA inspections that Ontario monitors on a CVOR abstract:
Level 1 Examination of the vehicle and driver (driver’s licence, daily inspections,
vehicle maintenance and hours of service)
Level 2 Walk-around driver and vehicle Inspection (components including those
that can be inspected without physically getting under the vehicle, as well
as driver’s licence and hours of service)
Level 3 Only driver’s licence, vehicle permits, annual inspections and hours of
service.
Level 4 Special inspections directed to examine a particular driver-related item or
vehicle component
Level 5 Vehicle inspection only without the driver present
Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration – September 2022 49
Facility Audits
The results of a facility audit will be recorded on an operator’s CVOR record. An audit
conducted at the request of the operator will be noted on the record as a voluntary
audit.
Ministry Interventions and Sanctions
Ministry interventions and sanctions include disciplinary letters sent to the operator,
interviews, audits and sanctions of fleet limitation; seizure of plates, suspension and/or
cancellation of the operator’s operating privileges.
Points
Collisions are pointed based on severity (property damage, personal injury or fatal
injury) and impropriety (vehicle defect, driver action, driver condition) noted on the motor
vehicle accident report from the police, or as indicated on a collision record reported by
another Canadian jurisdiction.
Collisions with no impropriety or vehicle defects reported will appear on the operator’s
CVOR record but are not pointed.
The following table determines point values assigned for collisions that occurred after
April 1, 2007.
Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration – September 2022 50
Collision Weighting Table
SEVERITY NO IMPROPRIETY
Factor = 0
IMPROPRIETY
Factor = 2
Property Damage
(Factor = 1) 0 2
Personal Injury
(Factor = 2) 0 4
Fatal Injury
(Factor = 3) 0 6
Convictions are pointed as per the conviction code table. Safety-related convictions
are assigned a weighted value. Administrative-related convictions appear on the CVOR
record but are weighted at zero. (Contact MTO Carrier Sanctions and Investigation
Office for a full copy of the Conviction Code Table.)
Inspection points are assessed on out-of-service defects. One point is assigned for the
first inspected category found with an out-of-service defect per unit, and two points for
each subsequent category found out-of-service on the same unit. Each vehicle in a
combination of vehicles is counted as a unit. The driver is also counted as a unit, but
not any co-driver. There are 15 vehicle-inspection categories and two driver-inspection
categories.
Vehicle Defects
Brake System
Driveline/Driveshaft
Exhaust System
Fuel System
Steering System
Suspension System
Frame
Tires
Wheels / Rims
Body
Windshield Wipers
Lighting System
Coupling Devices
Load Security
Emergency Exits, Wiring and
temporary seating (buses
only)
Dangerous Goods
Driver Defects:
Drivers Licences
Hours of Service
Inspection Out-of-Service Rates
There are three out-of-service rates: overall, vehicle and driver.
The overall inspection out-of-service rate is the percentage of total inspections
conducted in the displayed time period that had out-of-service defects. For example, if
Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration – September 2022 51
an operator had six inspections in 24 months, and three inspections had out-of-service
defects, then the overall out-of-service rate is 50 percent.
The vehicle out-of-service rate is the percentage of total inspections (excluding level
3) that reported vehicle out-of-service defects (levels 1, 2 and 5).
The driver out-of-service rate is the percentage of total inspections that reported a
driver out-of-service defect (levels 1, 2 and 3).
In all cases, level 4 CVSA inspections are not counted in determining out-of-service
rates. The out-of-service rates are shown on the first page of the Carrier CVOR
Abstract (Level II).
Evaluating an Operator’s Performance
The CVOR system evaluates an operator based on the events on its CVOR record,
including collisions, driver and operator convictions, CVSA inspections and the results
of facility audits.
Operators with vehicles plated in the US are evaluated on kilometres travelled in
Ontario only, and only for Ontario events.
Interventions and Sanctions
The CVOR system automatically identifies an operator for review when poor safety
performance is identified based on the operator’s overall violation rate.
Predetermined stages have been established, at which point operator interventions or
sanctions will be considered. When one of these stages is reached, ministry staff will
determine the appropriate intervention.
The Deputy Registrar of Motor Vehicles may use other triggering methods to bring an
operator to the ministry’s attention such as significant incidents (for example,
impoundments or wheel separations, unpaid fines, or chronic non-compliance).
All interventions and sanctions concerning a carrier’s CVOR Record are directed
towards the corporate officer or senior official of the company. In this way, the individual
who has control of and accountability for the carrier’s operation will be aware of the
Ministry’s concerns regarding its safety performance and is expected to take the
necessary steps to improve. This approach has proven very successful in improving
operator performance. More than 80 percent of operators that are subject to an
intervention improve their record to an acceptable standard.
Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration – September 2022 52
Sanctions
A sanction is the most severe disciplinary measure that the Deputy Registrar may
impose. It may result in a fleet limitation, plate seizure, or suspension or cancellation of
an operator’s operating privileges. Sanctions may also result in an operator receiving
an unsatisfactory safety rating. Sanctions imposed by the Deputy Registrar take effect
throughout Canada. As part of the sanction process, the operator will have an
opportunity to show cause as to why the sanction should not be imposed.
Operators that exceed 100 percent of their overall CVOR threshold may receive a
notice of sanction. The operator’s most senior official is given the opportunity to show
cause to the Deputy Registrar of Motor Vehicles as to why its commercial vehicle
operator privileges in Canada should not be revoked, suspended or limited.
Sanctions may be appealed to:
Licence Appeal Tribunal
20 Dundas St W
5th Floor
Toronto, ON M5G 2C2
Phone: (416) 325-0209 or 1-800-255-2214 (within Ontario only)
Violation Rates
Violation rate is the percentage of points that an operator has accumulated against the
set maximum thresholds. The threshold is the allowable rate, expressed in a
percentage, that the operator may reach.
An operator’s threshold is the maximum violation rate deemed acceptable for that
specific operator. The violation-rate threshold is not the same for all operators. It is
calculated based on the number of vehicles and drivers in the operator’s fleet and the
number of kilometres travelled. (For example, an operator with more vehicles and
travelling a farther distance would have a higher threshold then a small operator.)
Violation rates are accumulated based on an operator’s collision, convictions and
inspections over, and up to, a 24-month sliding period. All events are given a point
value, and if the operator exceeds their violation-rate threshold, intervention and
sanctions will be applied in a progressive action. (For example, an operator that
exceeds 35 percent of their allowable threshold may be subject to a warning letter.)
The CVOR system calculates the operator’s violation rates for collisions and convictions
based on the total number of points accumulated over, and up to, a 24-month sliding
period, compared to the threshold values established for that operator’s kilometric rate
of travel during that same period. For inspections, the total points accumulated in any
given period, up to a maximum of 24 months, are compared with the threshold points
established based on the number of units (drivers and vehicles) inspected during that
Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration – September 2022 53
same period These individual thresholds are combined to arrive at an overall violation
rate with collisions and convictions weighted double to inspections.
As new events and points are recorded, those older than 24 months drop off. The
formula is based on a 24-month period or the number of months since the start of the
operator’s CVOR record, whichever is less. The violation rate is converted to a
percentage of the operator’s threshold. Appropriate ministry interventions and sanctions
are triggered by the CVOR system if an operator reaches various levels of its threshold.
Note: For details of the threshold-value tables, threshold formulas and sample
calculations of kilometric rate of travel, violation rates and percentages of threshold
calculations of how you arrive at your violation rate, see Appendix A.
The Deputy Registrar may authorize appropriate interventions and sanctions in
cases not triggered by the automated system.
Carrier Safety Rating
A Carrier Safety Rating (CSR) is a public label that is assigned to truck and bus
operators. The Deputy Registrar of Motor Vehicles assigns a rating to an operator
based on the company’s safety record, which includes:
▪ Collisions
▪ Convictions
▪ Inspections
▪ Facility Audits
CSRs are available to the public. They provide information about an operator’s safety
performance. Insurance companies, financial institutions, shippers or users of an
operator’s services can find out the operator’s CSR, which helps make informed
decisions. Operators with good safety ratings can promote themselves to potential
customers, whereas operators with poor safety ratings are easily identified.
Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration – September 2022 54
Ratings
An operator receives one of five possible safety ratings:
▪ Excellent
▪ Satisfactory
▪ Satisfactory-Unaudited
▪ Conditional
▪ Unsatisfactory
Operators with an acceptable facility audit may be eligible for an excellent or
satisfactory safety rating (‘Audit Rating’ should not be confused with the actual ‘Safety
Rating’ as the audit is only a component of the overall outcome). Operators that have
not been audited will be rated only on the basis of their CVOR violation rate. The
highest rating an operator without an audit may receive is satisfactory-unaudited.
Excellent Safety Rating
A carrier would normally be eligible for an Excellent Safety Rating if it meets all of the
following conditions:
▪ The carrier has at least 24 months of demonstrated operation in Ontario and currently
holds a valid CVOR certificate,
▪ The carrier has an overall violation rate of 15% or less of overall threshold,
▪ The carrier also has a collision violation rate of 10% or less of the collision threshold,
and
▪ The carrier has been audited and achieved an excellent score.
Note: Once an Excellent rating is assigned, the operator must maintain both an
overall violation rate no greater than 20% of overall CVOR threshold and a
collision violation rate no greater than 15% of collision threshold. Failure to
maintain these low violation rates will result in a safety rating downgrade.
Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration – September 2022 55
Satisfactory Safety Rating
A carrier would normally be eligible for a Satisfactory Safety Rating if it meets all of
the following conditions:
▪ The carrier has at least six months of demonstrated operation in Ontario and
currently holds a valid CVOR certificate,
▪ The carrier maintains an on-road performance level of 70% or less of its overall
CVOR threshold, and
▪ The carrier has been audited and received a passing score.
Satisfactory-Unaudited Safety Rating
A carrier that has not been audited would normally receive a Satisfactory-Unaudited
Safety Rating provided it maintains an on-road performance level of 70% or less of its
overall CVOR threshold.
Conditional Safety Rating
A carrier may be considered for a Conditional Safety Rating if any of the following
circumstances occur:
▪ If the carrier’s on-road performance level exceeds 70% of its overall CVOR threshold.
▪ If the carrier fails the facility audit.
▪ Upon the expiry of a suspension or plate seizure.
▪ If a person or company related to or affiliated with the carrier has an on-road
performance level that exceeds 70% of its overall CVOR threshold or fails a facility
audit.
Note: To be upgraded from a Conditional rating to a higher rating (i.e. Satisfactory-
Unaudited or Satisfactory), the operator must maintain an on-road performance level
of 60% or less of its overall CVOR threshold.
All Conditional ratings are in effect for a minimum of six months, except when a carrier
rating is proposed for a rating downgrade from Conditional to Unsatisfactory. When
such a rating downgrade is proposed, there are no minimum time requirements. During
the six-month conditional period, the carrier is expected to identify and improve the
components of its safety performance which resulted in the assignment of the
Conditional rating. Following the six months, the Registrar may propose a rating based
on the performance of the carrier at that time.
Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration – September 2022 56
A carrier may be assigned a Conditional rating as the result of a failed audit. In this
case, the carrier cannot improve its rating until six months after the date of the
Conditional rating assignment. The carrier must pass a second audit in order to receive
a new rating.
Carrier Safety Ratings and Normal Performance Levels
ON-ROAD PERFORMANCE
Overall Audit
Score
0 to 151% of
threshold

15 to 702%
of threshold
702 to 100%
of threshold
1003% of
threshold
80% to 100% Excellent Satisfactory Conditional Unsatisfactory
55% to < 80% Satisfactory Satisfactory Conditional Unsatisfactory
0 to < 55% Conditional Conditional Conditional Unsatisfactory
No Audit Satisfactory

Unaudited
Satisfactory

Unaudited
Conditional Unsatisfactory
Notes:

To be eligible for an Excellent Safety Rating, the carrier’s overall violation rate
must not exceed 15% of its Overall CVOR Threshold and its collision violation
rate must not exceed 10% of its Collision Threshold. An excellent rating will be
downgraded if the carrier’s overall violation rate exceeds 20% of its Overall
CVOR Threshold or if its collision violation rate exceeds 15% of its Collision
Threshold.

Once assigned a conditional Safety Rating, to be eligible for an upgraded rating,
a carrier’s overall violation rate must be 60% or less of its Overall CVOR
Threshold.

A carrier is rated Unsatisfactory for the duration of a plate seizure, suspension or
cancellation.
Note: Facility audits will not be considered for an upgrade to Satisfactory or
Excellent safety rating, if the audit was completed more than 36 months ago.
-The Overall Audit Score is expressed as:
Excellent – if the overall audit score is 80% and all profiles are 70% or greater.
Pass – if the overall audit score is 55% or greater and no profile is below 50%
Fail – if the overall audit score is below 55% or any profile is below 50%.
Carriers that exceed their overall CVOR threshold
When a carrier’s overall violation rate exceeds its overall threshold level (over 100%),
the system brings it to the Registrar’s attention. In most cases, the carrier will be
considered for sanction such as plate seizure, suspension or cancellation.
Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration – September 2022 57
The carrier will also be considered for an Unsatisfactory Safety Rating. The Registrar
may propose that the carrier’s rating be Conditional until the sanction takes effect. The
carrier will remain Unsatisfactory for the duration of the sanction.
Upon the completion of the sanction period, a Conditional rating will automatically apply.
No rating higher than Conditional will be assigned following the sanction until at least 6
months has elapsed. The Registrar may, however, during the Conditional period
following sanction, propose an Unsatisfactory rating where applicable, even though 6
months has not yet passed.
Safety Ratings for New Operators
When an operator applies for a CVOR certificate, a satisfactory-unaudited rating is
usually proposed. The new operator is unrated for the first 40 days of operation while
the rating is proposed and until the rating comes into effect.
Most operators will remain satisfactory-unaudited for the first six months of operation.
However, if an operator accumulates points on the CVOR record or fails an audit, the
rating may drop to conditional or unsatisfactory.
Disputing proposed Carrier Safety Ratings
A carrier has the right to send to the Registrar a written dispute of its proposed Safety
Rating. The written dispute may include records as well as written submissions. The
carrier must submit the written dispute to the Registrar at the address indicated on the
Safety Rating letter within 30 days of being notified of the proposed Safety Rating.
After considering all submissions and records contained in the written dispute, the
Registrar will assign a Safety Rating. The assigned Safety Rating may be the one that
was originally proposed or may be a different rating than the one proposed. There is no
further appeal from this assignment of a rating.
Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration – September 2022 58
Deferred Safety Rating Status
A carrier may wish to upgrade its Safety Rating to Satisfactory or Excellent by
volunteering for and passing an audit. If a carrier does not pass the audit, the Registrar
will propose a Conditional Safety Rating. Carriers that have volunteered for an audit
and failed the audit but have an overall violation rate of 50% or less may apply for
deferred Safety Rating status by disputing their proposed conditional rating. The
Registrar may defer the proposed conditional Safety Rating for up to one year if the
carrier meets the following conditions:
▪ The carrier must submit a dispute and include a written undertaking to address the
deficiencies found during the audit, and
▪ The carrier must agree to submit to a subsequent audit within one year of the
notification of the proposed conditional rating.
If the carrier meets these conditions, the Registrar may defer assigning the conditional
rating for up to one year.
The conditional rating will be assigned immediately if any one or more of the following
conditions occur:
▪ The carrier’s overall violation rate exceeds 50% of its Overall CVOR Threshold,
▪ Six months have passed and the carrier has not yet requested a re-audit,
▪ The carrier fails the re-audit, or
▪ One year has passed and the carrier has not been re-audited or is not awaiting a
scheduled re-audit.
A satisfactory or excellent rating, as applicable, will be assigned immediately if the
carrier passes the audit or receives an excellent audit score.
Collision-Points Threshold
A collision-points threshold value is determined for each operator, based on its
kilometric rate of travel per month in Canada (in Ontario, for US-plated operators), by all
the commercial motor vehicles operating under the operator’s CVOR certificate. All
operators with the same rate of travel, therefore, will have the same collision-points
threshold. The collision violation rates of a large sample of operators were analyzed,
and a threshold curve was established that identifies those operators with unacceptably
high collision rates relative to other operators at a similar rate of travel.
Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration – September 2022 59
The collision-points threshold formula is:
For rate of travel,
R< 120,000 km/month For rate of travel, R= or > 120,000 km/month
Collision Points
Threshold
Tcol = (1.363 X R0.217) X (n ÷ 24) Tcol = (0.000144 x R) x (n ÷ 24)
Where: Tcol = collision points threshold
R = rate of travel (km/month)
n = number of months in the analysis period (maximum of 24)
For ease of calculation, collision-points threshold values have been calculated and
presented in a “look-up” table. See Appendix B for the Table of Threshold Values.
(Otherwise, the above calculations will require a scientific calculator.)
Conviction-Points Threshold
A conviction-points threshold value is determined for each operator, based on its
kilometric rate of travel per month in Canada (in Ontario, for US-plated operators), by all
the commercial motor vehicles operating under the operator’s CVOR certificate. All
operators with the same rate of travel, therefore, will have the same conviction-points
threshold. The conviction violation rates of a large sample of operators were analyzed,
and a threshold curve was established that identifies those operators with unacceptably
high conviction rates relative to other operators of similar rate of travel.
Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration – September 2022 60
The conviction-points threshold formula is:
For rate of travel,
R< 120,000 km/month For rate of travel, R= or > 120,000 km/month
Conviction
Points
Threshold
Tcon = (2.54 X R0.235) X (n ÷ 24) Tcon = (0.000331 x R) x (n ÷ 24)
Where: Tcon = conviction points threshold
R = rate of travel (km/month)
n = number of months in the analysis period (maximum of 24)
For ease of calculation, conviction-points threshold values have been calculated and
presented in Appendix B.
Inspection-Points Threshold
An inspection-points threshold value is determined for each operator, based on its
frequency of CVSA inspections. The number of units inspected is determined by adding
the total number of vehicles inspected to the total number of drivers inspected. All
operators with the same number of units inspected, therefore, will have the same
inspection-points threshold. The inspection violation rates of a large sample of
operators were analyzed, and a threshold curve was established that identifies those
operators with unacceptably high CVSA inspection out-of-service rates relative to other
operators with a similar number of units inspected.
The inspection-points threshold formula is:
For “U” units inspected
Inspection Points
Threshold Tins = 7.789 + 0.139 X U
Where: Tins = inspection points
U = # of units inspected in the analysis period
For ease of calculation, inspection threshold values have been calculated and
presented in Appendix B.
Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration – September 2022 61
Appendix A – CVOR Formula
CVOR Calculations
How Is an Operator’s Monthly Rate of Travel Calculated?
An operator’s monthly rate of travel in Canada during a specific time period is used to
determine the collision- and conviction-points threshold. Operators must report a
significant change in their rate of travel. Consequently, a determination of the
operator’s collision- or conviction-violation rate may contain multiple-assessment time
periods. The following procedure is followed to calculate monthly rate of travel.

Operator calculates the total number of commercial motor vehicles operated
in Ontario under the operator’s CVOR certificate.

Include power units plated in Ontario that are owned, leased or rented by the
operator and any plated in Ontario that are operated under contract with
Owner/Operators.

Include power units plated in the US or Mexico that operate in Ontario.

Exclude power units operated by the operator that are plated in other Canadian
jurisdictions.

Exclude all trailers.
For Example:
Bob owns 10 highway tractors, of which eight are plated in Ontario and two are
plated in Manitoba. He leases five trucks, all plated in Ontario. He also employs
five owner/operators, all with Ontario plates. The total number of commercial
motor vehicles that Bob operates under his CVOR certificate is:
8 + 5 + 5 = 18 commercial motor vehicles

Calculate the total kilometres traveled per month by the fleet in Canada, by
specific time periods that reflect different rates of travel in Canada.
Total kilometres travelled in a specified time period in Canada by the operator’s fleet
divided by the number of months in the time period equal the monthly rate of travel
in Canada (km/month).
Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration – September 2022 62
For Example:
Period 1: (2010 07 01 to 2010 12 31) – 6 months
Total kilometres travelled in Ontario by the fleet of 18 vehicles = 516,000 km.
Total kilometres travelled in the rest of Canada by the fleet of 18 vehicles =
324,000 km.
Total kilometres travelled outside Canada by the fleet of 18 vehicles =
216,000 km.
Monthly rate of travel in Canada = (516,000 + 324,000) ÷ 6 = 140,000 km/month.
Period 2: (2010 01 01 to 2011 06 30) – 18 months
Total kilometres travelled in Ontario by the fleet of 18 vehicles = 1,296,000 km.
Total kilometres travelled in the rest of Canada by the fleet of 18 vehicles =
324,000 km.
Total kilometres travelled outside Canada by the fleet of 18 vehicles =
1,944,000 km.
Monthly rate of travel in Canada = (1,296,000 + 324,000) ÷ 18 =
90,000 km/month.
How Are the Collision Violation Rate and Percentage of Threshold Calculated?
Using the data collected from police accident reports, collision demerit points are
assigned according to the collision weighting table.
A collision is considered to have “impropriety” if the accident report indicates something
other than “normal” under vehicle condition (fields 31and 32), driver action (fields 33
and 34) or driver condition (fields 35 and 36).
Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration – September 2022 63
For Example:
An operator with a rate of travel of 144,000 km/month in period 1 (six months) and
90,000 km/month in period 2 (18 months) had the following four collisions in the past
24-month period (this period does not include the most recent 30 days):
▪ one involving property damage and no impropriety in period 1 (0 points)
▪ one involving personal injury and impropriety in period 1 (4 points)
▪ one involving a fatality and no impropriety in period 2 (0 points)
▪ one involving property damage and impropriety in period 2 (2 points)
The collision-violation rate would be calculated in the following manner:
Step 1:
Calculate the total collision points in each period.
Period 1: 0 + 4 = 4 (total collision points in period 1)
Period 2: 0 + 2 = 2 (total collision points in period 2)
Step 2:
Determine the collision-threshold points for each rate of travel, for a 24-month period.
Consult the Table of Threshold Values (see Appendix B) to determine the threshold
points for a 24-month period for an operator with a travel rate of 140,000 km/month and
90,000 km/month.
Rate 1: At 140,000 km/month, the collision-threshold point value is 20.16 for a 24-month
period.
Rate 2: At 90,000 km/month, the collision-threshold point value is 16.20 for a 24-month
period.
Step 3:
Prorate the points for a 24-month period by the number of months in each period to
determine the threshold value for that period.
Collision-threshold points in period 1 = 20.16 x (6 ÷ 24) = 5.04 points.
Collision-threshold points in period 2 = 16.20 x (18 ÷ 24) = 12.15 points.
Step 4:
To calculate the percentage of threshold for each period, divide the points assigned in
the period by the collision threshold points (x 100%).
Period 1: Percentage of threshold = 100% x (4 ÷ 5.04) = 79.37%.
Period 2: Percentage of threshold = 100% x (2 ÷ 12.15) = 16.46%.
Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration – September 2022 64
Step 5:
To calculate the overall collision-violation rate for the 24-month period, prorate it in
proportion to the time in each period.
Overall collision-violation rate (24-month period) = (79.37% x 6) + (16.46% x 18) ÷ 24
= (476.22% + 296.28%) ÷ 24
= 32.19%
How Are the Conviction-Violation Rate and Percentage of Threshold Calculated?
The CVOR system assigns points to safety-related convictions as indicated in the
Conviction Code Table
To have a copy of the Conviction Code Table sent to you, contact Carrier Sanctions and
Investigation Office
For Example:
The same operator described previously with monthly travel rates of 140,000 km/month
(period 1) and 90,000 km/month (period 2) also had the following four convictions in the
past 24-month period (this period does not include the most recent 30 days):
▪ Failure to make daily log in period 1 (3 points)
▪ Overweight – dual axle over 2,000 kilograms in period 2 (3 points)
▪ Drive motor vehicle – failure to display plates in period 2 (0 points)
▪ Fail to inspect/repair/maintain according to standard in period 2 (2 points)
The conviction-violation rate would be calculated in the following manner:
Step 1
Calculate the total conviction points in each period.
Period 1: 3 (total conviction points in period 1)
Period 2: 3 + 0 + 2 = 5 (total conviction points in period 2)
Step 2
Determine the allowable conviction-threshold points for each rate of travel, for a 24-
month period. Consult the Table of Threshold Values (see Appendix B) to determine
the threshold points for a 24-month period for an operator with a travel rate of 140,000
km/month and 90,000 km/month.
Rate 1: At 140,000 km/month, the allowable conviction-threshold points value is
46.34 for a 24-month period.
Rate 2: At 90,000 km/month, the allowable-conviction threshold points value is
37.07 for a 24-month period.
Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration – September 2022 65
Step 3
Prorate the allowable points for a 24-month period by the number of months in each
period.
Allowable points in period 1 = 46.34 x (6 ÷ 24) = 11.59 points.
Allowable points in period 2 = 37.07 x (18 ÷ 24) = 27.80 points.
Step 4
To calculate the percentage of threshold for each period, divide the points assigned in
the period by the allowable points.
Period 1: Percentage of threshold = 100% x (3 ÷ 11.59) = 25.88%.
Period 2: Percentage of threshold = 100% x (5 ÷ 27.80) = 17.99%.
Step 5
To calculate the overall conviction-violation rate for the 24-month period, prorate it in
proportion to the time in each period.
Overall conviction-violation rate (24-month period) = (25.88% x 6) + (17.99% x 18) ÷ 24
= (155.28% + 323.82%) ÷ 24
= 19.96%
How Are the “Number of Units Inspected” for a CVSA Inspection Calculated?
The inspection-points threshold value varies with the number of units inspected, as
opposed to varying with the rate of kilometric travel, which is used to calculate the
collision- and conviction-threshold values. The number of units inspected is the sum of
all the vehicles and drivers inspected in all inspections within the analysis period.
For Example:
Level 1, 2 or 4 inspection, tractor and 1 semi-trailer (3 units inspected – 2 vehicles, 1
driver)
Level 3 inspection, with no vehicle defects indicated, straight truck, trailer converter
dolly and semi-trailer (1 driver inspected)
Level 5 inspection, tractor and semi-trailer (2 vehicles inspected)
How are the Inspection Violation Rate and Percentage of Threshold calculated?
The CVOR system assigns points to CVSA out-of-service inspection categories, as
defined by CCMTA. One point is assigned for each category that is out-of-service per
unit. If a vehicle (or driver) has multiple categories out of service, these additional
categories are assigned two points each. There are a total of 15 vehicle and two driver
categories.
Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration – September 2022 66
Driver out-of-service points are weighted at 68.75 percent of vehicle out-of-service
points, based on the “Predictive Analysis” study that indicated a higher probability of
future collisions related to vehicle defects than to driver defects. The violation rate is
the total (weighted) points assigned for all inspections, divided by the inspection-points
threshold value, and is expressed as a percentage of threshold.
For Example:
Assume the same operator described previously has been inspected three times in the
24-month analysis period. There is no need to break the time into the two periods
related to different travel rates, since the inspection-threshold formula only varies with
the number of units inspected. (Note: The 24-month period does not include the most
recent 30 days.) For ease of understanding, the inspections shown below describe
“category defects” as they will appear on a CVOR carrier abstract.
Inspection 1: Level 1
Unit inspected Defect – *indicates “out-of-service” Dr pts. Veh pts.
Driver *Category – Drivers Licences
:Drivers Licences – Improper Licence 1 –
Driver Category – Hours of Work :Cycle – drive after 70 hours in 7days 2 –
Truck Tractor Category – Tires :Tires – Tread Depth
:Tires – Ply Separation

1
Trailer *Category – Brakes – Adjustment
:Brakes – Adjustment

1
3 units inspected Total points assigned 3 2
Inspection 2: Level 3
Unit inspected Defect – *indicates “out-of-service” Dr pts. Veh pts.
Driver *Category – Drivers Licences
:Fail to produce 1 –
Driver *Category – Seat Belt
:Fail to wear
0 (not

OOS)

Truck Tractor (Not applicable) – 0
Trailer (Not applicable) – 0
3 units inspected Total points assigned 1 0
Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration – September 2022 67
Inspection 3: Level 5
Unit inspected Defect – *indicates “out-of-service” Dr pts. Veh pts.
Driver (Not applicable) 0 –
Truck Tractor *Category – Suspension System
:Coil spring broken*

1
Trailer (No defects recorded) – 0
3 units inspected Total points assigned 0 1
Calculations
Step 1
Calculate the total units inspected for the three inspections.
Inspection 1, Level 1 = 3 units inspected. (1 driver and 2 vehicles)
Inspection 2, Level 3 = 1 unit inspected. (1 driver)
Inspection 1, Level 5 = 2 units inspected. (1 driver and 1 vehicle)
Total units inspected = 6
Step 2
Determine the inspection-threshold value from the table in Appendix B. For six units
inspected, the allowable inspection threshold points = 8.62.
Step 3:
Determine the operator’s total inspection points, where driver points are weighted at
68.75 percent of vehicle points.
Total inspection points = 1 x vehicle points + 0.6875 x driver points.
= 1 x (2 + 0 + 1) + 0.6875 x (3 + 1 + 0)
= 3 + 2.75
= 5.75 inspection points.
Step 4:
Determine the operator’s inspection-violation rate, expressed as a percentage of
threshold.
Inspection-violation rate = 100% x (5.75 ÷ 8.62)
= 66.71%
Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration – September 2022 68
How Does the CVOR System Calculate an Operator’s Overall Performance?
The operator’s overall performance is determined by combining its collision-, conviction-
and inspection-performance values in the proportions of 2 to 2 to 1. The overall
performance measure formula is:
Overall Performance Po = (2 X Pcol + 2 X Pcon + Pins) ÷ 5
Where: Po = Overall Performance
Pcol = Collision Performance
Pcon = Conviction Performance
Pins = Inspection Performance
When an operator’s overall violation rate exceeds 1 (100 percent), it is said to be “over
threshold” and may be subject to sanctioning by the Deputy Registrar of Motor Vehicles.
Remember that the overall-percent- of- threshold calculation weights collisions and
convictions at double the severity of inspections (2:2:1 ratio).
Step 1
Multiply both the percent-of- collision threshold (32.19) and the percent-of-conviction
threshold (19.96) by 2, and add the percent-of-inspection threshold (65.64).
2 x 32.19% + 2 x 19.96% + 66.71% = 171.01%
Step 2
Divide the value in Step 1 (171.01 percent) by five to derive the percent-of-overall
threshold.
Percent of Overall Threshold = 171.01% ÷ 5
= 34.20%
This value represents the operator’s overall violation rate as a percentage of its overall
threshold.
Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration – September 2022 69
Appendix B – Threshold Values
Collisions
Definition of Column Headings
Rate of travel – km/month (R): The total kilometres travelled per month in Canada (in
Ontario, for US-plated operators), for all commercial motor vehicles operating under the
operator’s CVOR certificate.
Collision-threshold points (Y col ): The number of collision points in a given period for
a specified rate of travel that will result in being at 100 percent of collision threshold.
Ycol = ( 1.363 x R 0.217 ) ( # months/24 ), for R < 120,000 km/month Ycol = ( 0.000144 x R ) ( # months/24 ), for R = or > 120,000 km/month
Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration – September 2022 70
Rate of
Travel
Km/month
R
Collision
Threshold
Points
(24-
months)
Yest
Collision
Threshold
Points
(per
month)
Yest
100 3.70 0.154
1,000 6.10 0.254
2,000 7.09 0.296
3,000 7.75 0.323
4,000 8.24 0.344
5,000 8.65 0.361
6,000 9.00 0.375
7,000 9.31 0.388
8,000 9.58 0.399
9,000 9.83 0.410
10,000 10.06 0.419
11,000 10.27 0.428
12,000 10.46 0.436
13,000 10.65 0.444
14,000 10.82 0.451
15,000 10.98 0.458
16,000 11.14 0.464
17,000 11.29 0.470
18,000 11.43 0.476
19,000 11.56 0.482
20,000 11.69 0.487
21,000 11.81 0.492
22,000 11.93 0.497
23,000 12.05 0.502
24,000 12.16 0.507
25,000 12.27 0.511
Rate of
Travel
Km/month
R
Collision
Threshold
Points
(24-
months)
Yest
Collision
Threshold
Points
(per
month)
Yest
26,000 12.37 0.516
27,000 12.48 0.520
28,000 12.58 0.524
29,000 12.67 0.526
30,000 12.77 0.532
31,000 12.86 0.536
32,000 12.95 0.539
33,000 13.03 0.543
34,000 13.12 0.547
35,000 13.20 0.550
36,000 13.28 0.553
37,000 13.36 0.557
38,000 13.44 0.560
39,000 13.51 0.563
40,000 13.59 0.566
41,000 13.66 0.569
42,000 13.73 0.572
43,000 13.80 0.575
44,000 13.87 0.578
45,000 13.94 0.581
46,000 14.01 0.584
47,000 14.07 0.586
48,000 14.14 0.589
49,000 14.20 0.592
50,000 14.26 0.594
51,000 14.32 0.597
Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration – September 2022 71
Rate of
Travel
Km/month
R
Collision
Threshold
Points
(24-
months)
Yest
Collision
Threshold
Points
(per
month)
Yest
52,000 14.38 0.599
53,000 14.44 0.602
54,000 14.50 0.604
55,000 14.56 0.607
56,000 14.62 0.609
57,000 14.67 0.611
58,000 14.73 0.614
59,000 14.78 0.616
60,000 14.84 0.616
61,000 14.89 0.618
62,000 14.94 0.620
63,000 15.00 0.623
64,000 15.05 0.625
65,000 15.10 0.627
66,000 15.15 0.629
67,000 15.20 0.631
68,000 15.25 0.633
69,000 15.29 0.635
70,000 15.34 0.637
71,000 15.39 0.639
72,000 15.44 0.641
73,000 15.48 0.643
74,000 15.53 0.645
75,000 15.57 0.647
76,000 15.62 0.649
77,000 15.66 0.651
Rate of
Travel
Km/month
R
Collision
Threshold
Points
(24-
months)
Yest
Collision
Threshold
Points
(per
month)
Yest
78,000 15.71 0.653
79,000 15.75 0.654
80,000 15.79 0.656
81,000 15.84 0.660
82,000 15.88 0.662
83,000 15.92 0.663
84,000 15.96 0.665
85,000 16.00 0.667
86,000 16.04 0.668
87,000 16.08 0.670
88,000 16.12 0.672
89,000 16.16 0.673
90,000 16.20 0.675
91,000 16.24 0.677
92,000 16.28 0.678
93,000 16.32 0.680
94,000 16.36 0.681
95,000 16.39 0.683
96,000 16.43 0.685
97,000 16.47 0.686
98,000 16.50 0.688
99,000 16.54 0.689
100,000 16.58 0.691
101,000 16.61 0.692
102,000 16.65 0.694
103,000 16.68 0.695
Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration – September 2022 72
Rate of
Travel
Km/month
R
Collision
Threshold
Points
(24-
months)
Yest
Collision
Threshold
Points
(per
month)
Yest
104,000 16.72 0.697
105,000 16.75 0.698
106,000 16.79 0.699
107,000 16.82 0.701
108,000 16.86 0.702
109,000 16.89 0.704
110,000 16.92 0.705
111,000 16.96 0.707
112,000 16.99 0.708
113,000 17.02 0.709
114,000 17.05 0.711
115,000 17.09 0.712
116,000 17.12 0.713
117,000 17.15 0.715
118,000 17.18 0.716
119,000 17.21 0.717
120,000 17.25 0.719
130,000 18.72 0.760
140,000 20.16 0.840
150,000 21.60 0.900
160,000 23.04 0.960
170,000 24.48 1.020
180,000 25.92 1.060
190,000 27.36 1.140
200,000 28.80 1.200
210,000 30.24 1.260
Rate of
Travel
Km/month
R
Collision
Threshold
Points
(24-
months)
Yest
Collision
Threshold
Points
(per
month)
Yest
220,000 31.68 1.320
230,000 33.12 1.360
240,000 34.56 1.440
250,000 36.00 1.500
500,000 72.00 3.000
750,000 108.00 4.500
1,000,000 144.00 6.000
1,250,000 180.00 7.500
1,500,000 216.00 9.000
1,750,000 252.00 10.500
2,000,000 288.00 12.000
2,250,000 324.00 13.500
2,500,000 360.00 15.000
2,750,000 396.00 16.500
3,000,000 432.00 18.000
3,250,000 458.00 19.500
3,500,000 504.00 21.000
3,750,000 540.00 22.500
4,000,000 576.00 24.000
4,250,000 612.00 25.500
4,500,000 648.00 27.000
4,750,000 684.00 28.500
5,000,000 720.00 30.000
5,250,000 756.00 31.500
5,500,000 792.00 33.000
5,750,000 828.00 34.500
Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration – September 2022 73
Rate of
Travel
Km/month
R
Collision
Threshold
Points
(24-
months)
Yest
Collision
Threshold
Points
(per
month)
Yest
6,000,000 854.00 35.000
Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration – September 2022 74
Note: An operator’s rate of travel may not match an exact value in the tables. To
interpolate a value, you may use the following formula.
Threshold Point = Test where
Test = Ta + (Tb – Ta) x (kmb – kmest) ÷ (kmb – kma)
Example:
Assume your kilometric rate (kmest) = 207.000 km/month.
Test = Ta + (Tb – Ta) x (kmb – kmest) ÷ (kmb – kma)
= 28.80 + (30.24 – 28.80) x (207,000 – 200,000) ÷ (210,000 – 200,000)
= 28.80 + 1.44 x 7,000 ÷ 10,000
= 28.80 + 1.01
=29.81 points
Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration – September 2022 75
Convictions
Definition of Column Headings
Rate of travel – km/month (R): The total kilometres travelled per month in Canada (in
Ontario, for US-plated operators), for all commercial motor vehicles operating under the
operator’s CVOR certificate.
Conviction-threshold points (Ycon ): The number of conviction points in a given period
for a specified rate of travel that will result in being at 100 percent of conviction
threshold.
Ycon = (2.54 x R 0.235) (# months/24), for R < 120,000 km/month Ycon = ( 0.000331 x R ) ( # months/24 ), for R = or > 120,000 km/month
Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration – September 2022 76
Rate of
Travel
(Km/month)
R
Conviction
Threshold
Points
(24-
months)
Ycon
Conviction
Threshold
Points
(per
month)
Ycon
100 7.50 0.312
1,000 12.88 0.537
2,000 15.16 0.631
3,000 16.67 0.695
4,000 17.84 0.743
5,000 18.80 0.783
6,000 19.62 0.818
7,000 20.34 0.848
8,000 20.99 0.875
9,000 21.58 0.899
10,000 22.12 0.922
11,000 22.62 0.943
12,000 23.09 0.962
13,000 23.53 0.980
14,000 23.94 0.998
15,000 24.33 1.014
16,000 24.71 1.029
17,000 25.06 1.044
18,000 25.40 1.058
19,000 25.72 1.072
20,000 26.04 1.085
21,000 26.34 1.097
22,000 26.63 1.109
23,000 26.91 1.121
24,000 27.18 1.132
25,000 27.44 1.143
Rate of
Travel
(Km/month)
R
Conviction
Threshold
Points
(24-
months)
Ycon
Conviction
Threshold
Points
(per
month)
Ycon
26,000 27.69 1.154
27,000 27.94 1.164
28,000 28.18 1.174
29,000 28.41 1.184
30,000 28.64 1.193
31,000 28.86 1.203
32,000 29.08 1.212
33,000 29.29 1.220
34,000 29.49 1.229
35,000 29.70 1.237
36,000 29.89 1.246
37,000 30.09 1.254
38,000 30.27 1.261
39,000 30.46 1.269
40,000 30.64 1.277
41,000 30.82 1.284
42,000 31.00 1.291
43,000 31.17 1.299
44,000 31.34 1.306
45,000 34.50 1.313
46,000 31.67 1.319
47,000 31.83 1.326
48,000 31.98 1.333
49,000 32.14 1.339
50,000 32.29 1.345
51,000 32.44 1.352
Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration – September 2022 77
Rate of
Travel
(Km/month)
R
Conviction
Threshold
Points
(24-
months)
Ycon
Conviction
Threshold
Points
(per
month)
Ycon
52,000 32.59 1.358
53,000 32.74 1.354
54,000 32.88 1.370
55,000 33.02 1.376
56,000 33.16 1.382
57,000 33.30 1.388
58,000 33.44 1.393
59,000 33.57 1.399
60,000 33.71 1.404
61,000 33.84 1.410
62,000 33.97 1.415
63,000 34.09 1.421
64,000 34.22 1.426
65,000 34.35 1.431
66,000 34.47 1.436
67,000 34.59 1.441
68,000 34.71 1.446
69,000 34.83 1.451
70,000 34.95 1.456
71,000 35.07 1.451
72,000 35.18 1.466
73,000 35.30 1.471
74,000 35.41 1.475
75,000 35.52 1.480
76,000 35.63 1.485
77,000 35.74 1.489
Rate of
Travel
(Km/month)
R
Conviction
Threshold
Points
(24-
months)
Ycon
Conviction
Threshold
Points
(per
month)
Ycon
78,000 35.85 1.494
79,000 35.96 1.498
80,000 36.06 1.503
81,000 36.17 1.507
82,000 36.27 1.511
83,000 36.38 1.516
84,000 35.48 1.520
85,000 35.58 1.524
86,000 36.68 1.528
87,000 36.78 1.533
88,000 36.88 1.537
89,000 36.98 1.541
90,000 37.07 1.545
91,000 37.17 1.549
92,000 37.27 1.553
93,000 37.36 1.557
94,000 37.46 1.561
95,000 37.55 1.565
96,000 37.64 1.568
97,000 37.73 1.572
98,000 37.82 1.576
99,000 37.91 1.580
100,000 38.00 1.584
101,000 38.09 1.587
102,000 38.18 1.591
103,000 38.27 1.595
Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration – September 2022 78
Rate of
Travel
(Km/month)
R
Conviction
Threshold
Points
(24-
months)
Ycon
Conviction
Threshold
Points
(per
month)
Ycon
104,000 38.36 1.598
105,000 38.44 1.602
106,000 38.53 1.605
107,000 38.61 1.609
108,000 38.70 1.612
109,000 38.78 1.616
110,000 38.87 1.619
111,000 38.95 1.623
112,000 39.03 1.626
113,000 39.11 1.630
114,000 39.19 1.633
115,000 39.27 1.636
116,000 39.35 1.640
117,000 39.43 1.643
118,000 39.51 1.646
119,000 39.59 1.650
120,000 39.67 1.653
130,000 43.03 1.793
140,000 46.34 1.931
150,000 49.65 2.069
160,000 52.96 2.207
170,000 56.27 2.345
180,000 59.58 2.483
190,000 62.89 2.620
200,000 66.20 2.758
210,000 69.51 2.896
Rate of
Travel
(Km/month)
R
Conviction
Threshold
Points
(24-
months)
Ycon
Conviction
Threshold
Points
(per
month)
Ycon
220,000 72.82 3.034
230,000 76.13 3.172
240,000 79.44 3.310
250,000 82.75 3.448
500,000 165.50 6.896
750,000 248.25 10.344
1,000,000 331.00 13.792
1,250,000 413.75 17.240
1,500,000 496.50 20.688
1,750,000 579.25 24.135
2,000,000 662.00 27.583
2,250,000 744.75 31.031
2,500,000 827.50 34.479
2,750,000 910.25 37.927
3,000,000 993.00 41.375
3,250,000 1075.75 44.823
3,500,000 1158.50 48.271
3,750,000 1241.25 51.719
4,000,000 1324.00 55.167
4,250,000 1406.75 58.615
4,500,000 1489.50 62.063
4,750,000 1572.25 65.510
5,000,000 1655.00 68.958
5,250,000 1737.75 72.406
5,500,000 1820.50 75.854
5,750,000 1903.25 79.302
Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration – September 2022 79
Rate of
Travel
(Km/month)
R
Conviction
Threshold
Points
(24-
months)
Ycon
Conviction
Threshold
Points
(per
month)
Ycon
6,000,000 1986.00 82.750
Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration – September 2022 80
Note: An operator’s rate of travel may not match an exact value in the tables. To
interpolate a value, you may use the following formula.
Threshold Point = Test where
Test = Ta + (Tb – Ta) x (kmb – kmest) ÷ (kmb – kma)
Example :
Assume your kilometric rate (kmest) = 207.000 km/month.
Test = Ta + (Tb – Ta) x (kmb – kmest) ÷ (kmb – kma)
= 66.20 + (69.51 – 66.20) x (207,000 – 200,000) ÷ (210,000 – 200,000)
= 66.20 + 3.31 x 7,000 ÷ 10,000
= 66.20 + 2.32
= 68.52 points
Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration – September 2022 81
Inspections
Definition of Column Headings
Units inspected (U): The number of units, including vehicles and drivers, inspected in a
given period.
Inspection-threshold points (Yins): The number of inspection points in a given period
for a specified number of units inspected that will result in being at 100 percent of
inspection threshold.
Yins = 7.789 + 0.139 x U
Units
Inspected
U
Inspection
threshold
points
Yins
1 7.93
2 8.07
3 8.21
4 8.35
5 8.48
6 8.62
7 8.76
8 8.90
9 9.04
10 9.18
11 9.32
12 9.46
13 9.60
14 9.74
15 9.87
16 10.01
17 10.15
18 10.29
Units
Inspected
U
Inspection
threshold
points
Yins
19 10.43
20 10.57
21 10.71
22 10.85
23 10.99
24 11.13
25 11.26
26 11.40
27 11.54
28 11.68
29 11.82
30 11.96
31 12.10
32 12.24
33 12.38
34 12.52
35 12.65
36 12.79
Units
Inspected
U
Inspection
threshold
points
Yins
37 12.93
38 13.07
39 13.21
40 13.35
41 13.49
42 13.63
43 13.77
44 13.91
45 14.04
46 14.18
47 14.32
48 14.46
49 14.60
50 14.74
51 14.88
52 15.02
53 15.16
54 15.30
Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration – September 2022 82
Units
Inspected
U
Inspection
threshold
points
Yins
55 15.43
56 15.57
57 15.71
58 15.85
59 15.99
60 16.13
61 16.27
62 16.41
63 16.55
64 16.69
65 16.82
66 16.96
67 17.10
68 17.24
69 17.38
70 17.52
71 17.66
72 17.80
73 17.94
74 18.08
75 18.21
76 18.35
77 18.49
78 18.63
79 18.77
80 18.91
81 19.05
Units
Inspected
U
Inspection
threshold
points
Yins
82 19.19
83 19.33
84 19.47
85 19.60
86 19.74
87 19.88
88 20.02
89 20.16
90 20.30
91 20.44
92 20.58
93 20.72
94 20.86
95 20.99
96 21.13
97 21.27
98 21.41
99 21.55
100 21.69
110 23.08
120 24.47
130 25.86
140 27.25
150 28.64
160 30.03
170 31.42
180 32.81
Units
Inspected
U
Inspection
threshold
points
Yins
190 34.20
200 35.59
210 36.98
220 38.37
230 39.76
240 41.15
250 42.54
260 43.93
270 45.32
280 46.71
290 48.10
300 49.49
310 50.88
320 52.27
330 53.66
340 55.05
350 56.44
360 57.83
370 59.22
380 60.61
390 62.00
400 63.39
410 64.78
420 66.17
430 67.56
440 68.95
450 70.34
Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration – September 2022 83
Units
Inspected
U
Inspection
threshold
points
Yins
460 71.73
470 73.12
480 74.51
490 75.90
500 77.29
510 78.68
520 80.07
530 81.46
540 82.85
550 84.24
560 85.63
570 87.02
580 88.41
590 89.80
600 91.19
610 92.58
620 93.97
630 95.36
640 96.75
650 98.14
660 99.53
670 100.92
Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration – September 2022 84
Note: An operator’s rate of travel may not match an exact value in the tables. To
interpolate a value, you may use the following formula.
Threshold Point = Test where
Test = Ta + (Tb – Ta) x (Ub – Uest) ÷ (Ub – Ua)
Example :
Assume you had 397 units inspected (Uest) = 397 units.
Test = Ta + (Tb – Ta) x (Uest – Ua) ÷ (Ub – Ua)
= 62.00 + (63.39 – 62.00) x (397 – 390) ÷ (400 – 390)
= 62.00 + 1.39 x 7 ÷ 10
= 62.00 + 0.97
= 62.97 points
Ontario Specific Enforcement Issues – September 2022 85
Commercial Vehicle Operators’ Safety Manual
Module 5 – Ontario Specific Enforcement Issues
Overview ……………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 86
Ontario Specific Enforcement Issues – Learning Objectives ………………………………….. 87
Commercial Vehicle Impoundment Program ……………………………………………………….. 88
INTRODUCTION ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 88
COMMERCIAL VEHICLE IMPOUNDMENT …………………………………………………………………………………………. 88
VEHICLES THAT CAN BE IMPOUNDED …………………………………………………………………………………………… 89
WHAT IS A CRITICAL DEFECT? ……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 89
LOCATIONS FOR CRITICAL-DEFECT INSPECTIONS AND IMPOUNDMENT …………………………………………………. 89
CVIP AFFECT ON BUSES …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 89
CONSEQUENCES OF VEHICLES IMPOUNDED UNDER CVIP ………………………………………………………………… 90
COST OF IMPOUNDMENT ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 90
IMPOUND FACILITIES ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 91
WHAT HAPPENS TO THE LOAD? ………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 91
APPEAL PROCESS ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 91
EFFECT ON YOUR CVOR RECORD ……………………………………………………………………………………………… 91
Mandatory Truck Speed Limiters ………………………………………………………………………. 93
TRUCKS THAT REQUIRE SPEED LIMITERS ……………………………………………………………………………………… 93
LEGISLATION …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 93
ENFORCEMENT ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 93
BENEFITS ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 94
Ontario Specific Enforcement Issues – September 2022 86
Overview
The Commercial Safety and Compliance Branch of the Ministry of Transportation of
Ontario has prepared this guide to assist and ensure that truck and bus companies
(commercial vehicle operators) operate safely and are compliant with the regulations
that govern highway use. Ontario, other provinces, the Government of Canada and the
transportation industry developed the rules and regulations to help reduce the number
and severity of collisions. Each jurisdiction has used the National Safety Code
standards as guides in drafting their own transportation safety legislation. This approach
promotes uniformity across Canada and helps to ensure that the transportation industry
remains as viable and sustainable as possible.
This guide applies to Ontario operators of commercial motor vehicles that are:
▪ Trucks, tractors, mobile equipment vehicles or trailers and/or any combination of
these vehicles that have a registered gross weight or actual weight of more than
4,500 kilograms
▪ Tow trucks, regardless of registered gross weight or actual weight
▪ Buses with a manufactured seating capacity of 10 persons or more, excluding
the driver
▪ Accessible vehicles and school purposes vehicles, depending upon use
The guide contains several modules, each dealing with a specific topic. To get a
complete picture of compliance requirements, you should obtain the complete guide. If
you intend to use certain parts of this guide only (for example, Module 1, “Getting
Started”) it is recommended that you also obtain the modules “Introduction” and
“Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration.”
This is a guide only and is not meant to be a substitute for the relevant statutes
and regulations. This guide highlights some important legal provisions but is not
an exhaustive description of all the laws that apply.
Ontario Specific Enforcement Issues – September 2022 87
Ontario Specific Enforcement Issues – Learning Objectives
As you work through this module, you will develop an understanding of:
✓ The commercial vehicle impound process
✓ Violations that can result in a vehicle being impounded and the effects of
having a vehicle impounded under the program
✓ Who has the authority to impound your vehicle
✓ Speed-limiter requirements
✓ Which vehicles require a speed limiter and the benefits to your business
by reducing the speed of large trucks
Ontario Specific Enforcement Issues – September 2022 88
Commercial Vehicle Impoundment Program
Introduction
On February 2, 1998, the Government of Ontario introduced the Commercial Vehicle
Impoundment Program (CVIP) as part of its aggressive campaign to improve
commercial vehicle safety in this province. This program was a principal
recommendation of Target ’97, a joint industry/government task force that has worked
together closely to improve truck safety in Ontario.
Commercial Vehicle Impoundment
Commercial vehicle impoundment is part of a progressive enforcement program where
critically defective commercial vehicles are impounded for a minimum of 15 days.
Ontario is the first jurisdiction in North America to impound commercial vehicles for
critical defects.
If one or more critical defects are found on a bus, truck or trailer, an officer will remove
the plates and inspection stickers from the specific vehicle unit. Vehicles will not be
impounded for defects found that meet the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA)
out-of-service criteria.
A vehicle found with a critical defect would be in far worse condition than a vehicle that
just meets the out-of-service criteria.
If a vehicle is found to have critical defects, the Deputy Registrar of Motor Vehicles
issues an order to impound the vehicle and suspend the vehicle registration. The
vehicle’s load will be removed at the inspection location and the vehicle will be
transported, by a third-party contractor, to a secure impound facility.
The vehicle must remain at the impound facility for the designated period. After this
period, the owner may claim the vehicle after all costs associated with the towing,
removal and impoundment have been paid. The vehicle must then obtain a Safety
Standards Certificate certifying it as safe before it can be operated in Ontario. Safety
Standards Certificates can only be issued by a licenced Motor Vehicle Inspection
Station after the vehicle is released from the impound facility. Commercial vehicles that
are abandoned at impound facilities will be disposed of under the provisions of the
Repair and Storage Liens Act.
Ontario Specific Enforcement Issues – September 2022 89
Vehicles That Can Be Impounded
Any commercial motor vehicle that is operated by a Commercial Vehicle Operator’s
Registration (CVOR) or National Safety Code (NSC) holder, or one that would require
CVOR or NSC registration, and has a gross weight or registered gross weight
exceeding 4,500 kilograms may be subject to impound if it is operated with critical
defects. This includes buses, trucks and trailers drawn by these vehicles. This also
includes all tow trucks, regardless of weight.
Exemptions:
Ambulances, fire vehicles, hearses, casket wagons and motor homes are not affected
by this legislation.
What Is a Critical Defect?
The critical-defect criteria set out clear guidelines for determining when defects are
serious enough to be considered critical to the safe operation of a commercial vehicle or
trailer. These criteria have been developed for brakes, wheels and rims, steering, tires
and suspension/frame components.
Commercial vehicles are in a significantly greater state of disrepair when impounded for
critical defects than when they are taken out of service for failing to meet international
standards set by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA). For example, a
vehicle is placed out of service if 20 percent or more of its wheels have brake defects.
However, this defect would be considered critical if more than 50 percent of its wheels
have brake defects.
The critical-defect criteria, which were developed by government and industry, are
detailed in Regulation 512/97 of the Highway Traffic Act. Copies of the regulations are
available on the e-Laws website.
Locations for Critical-Defect Inspections and impoundment
Inspections for critical defects and impoundment are carried out at specified truck-
inspection stations across the province. These stations are selected for their strategic
location and their exposure to high volumes of commercial traffic.
CVIP Affect on Buses
Buses, including school buses and motor coaches, are commercial vehicles and are
subject to impoundment.
Ontario Specific Enforcement Issues – September 2022 90
CVIP Affect on Tow Trucks
Tow trucks are commercial vehicles and are subject to impoundment.
Consequences of Vehicles Impounded under CVIP
After the vehicle is inspected and found to have critical defects, charges are laid against
the owner and/or operator and/or driver. The vehicle is then impounded for a
prescribed period. Before the impounded vehicle is removed from the inspection site, it
must be off-loaded, repaired and put in a safe condition for towing. Vehicles that cannot
be made safe for towing must be placed on a flat-bed trailer and transported to the
impound facility.
The impoundment period is 15 days for the first incident within a two-year period. A
second incident within two years will result in a 30-day impoundment. A third or
subsequent incident within two years carries a 60-day impoundment.
The operator will be charged with “operating an unsafe vehicle” and is responsible for
all costs associated with the removal, transfer and storage of the load.
The owner is also liable for the fees and costs associated with towing and
impoundment, and cannot use the vehicle for doing business during the impoundment
period.
The driver may also be subject to charges. Fines for safety-related offences are set out
in the Provincial Offences Act and may be as high as $20,000.
When the impound period is complete, the vehicle is released by the Deputy Registrar
and must be towed or floated to a qualified repair facility. The vehicle cannot be driven
on any Ontario highway until it has been inspected and a safety standards certificate
has been issued. Only then will plates and permits be reissued for the vehicle.
Cost of Impoundment
The fees charged for towing, floating, storage of vehicles and goods, and the transfer of
loads are established in contracts between MTO and impound facilities.
Although a reasonable fee schedule has been established, they may be higher where
towing distances are longer or in urban areas where commercial property costs may be
higher.
This is a user-pay system, whereby the impound facility is paid directly by the
owner/operator responsible for the vehicle and load.
Ontario Specific Enforcement Issues – September 2022 91
Impound Facilities
Impound facilities are located within a reasonable towing distance of the inspection
location that they serve. One impound facility may provide service to more than one
inspection location if the facility is in close proximity to multiple inspection sites.
The selection of impound facilities is based upon their ability to provide secure, reliable
service at a reasonable cost.
What Happens to the Load?
All impounded vehicles must be off-loaded at the inspection site. The load must then be
transferred to another vehicle.
This transfer of loads and loss of perishable cargo is the responsibility of the operator of
the vehicle. Where buses are impounded, the operator is responsible for providing
alternate transportation to the passengers.
Appeal Process
The owner of the vehicle is the only party who can appeal the impoundment. An appeal
may be made to the Licence Appeal Tribunal on one of two grounds:

If the vehicle was stolen

If the critical defect was not present at the time of the daily inspection
During the appeal, the owner may apply to the Superior Court of Justice to have the
vehicle released from the impound facility after all fees and towing charges have been
paid and security has been posted. The Superior Court of Justice will set security of
between $5,000 and $10,000.
If the appeal is successful, the owner will be reimbursed by the Crown for the cost of
towing and impound fees.
If the Order to Impound and Suspend is not overturned, the owner must return the
vehicle to the impound facility for the remainder of the period or forfeit the posted
security.
Appeals will be conducted orally unless a written hearing is requested and agreed
upon. Hearings will be heard as quickly as possible and decided on within 30 days
where required. Appeals may be heard in numerous locations across Ontario.
Effect on Your CVOR Record
The impoundment will be recorded on the operator’s CVOR record and applicable
points will be assigned.
Ontario Specific Enforcement Issues – September 2022 92
For further information contact:
Ministry of Transportation
Commercial Safety and Compliance Branch
Commercial Vehicle Impoundment Program
301 St. Paul St., 3rd Floor
St. Catharines, Ontario L2R 7R4
Telephone: (416) 246-7166 or 1-800-387-7736 (in Ontario only)
Fax: (905) 704-2683
Ontario Specific Enforcement Issues – September 2022 93
Mandatory Truck Speed Limiters
A speed limiter is an electronic device that is installed in heavy trucks, and caps the
speed at a maximum of 105 km/h. Most large trucks driven in Ontario are required to
use speed limiters.
Studies conducted by the federal government, through Transport Canada, have
demonstrated the environmental, safety and cost-saving benefits of speed limiters.
Ontario and Québec worked together to jointly launch and implement speed-limiter
regulations.
Trucks That Require Speed Limiters
If a commercial motor vehicle was built after December 31, 1994, with a manufacturer’s
gross vehicle weight rating of 11,794 kilograms or more, and is equipped with an
electronic control module, then the vehicle is subject to being speed limited.
Exemptions to these apply only to a limited number of vehicle types such as
ambulances or fire trucks.
Legislation
Ontario passed legislation and supporting regulations to mandate the use of speed
limiters on commercial vehicles in 2008. Links to the legislation and regulations can be
found below:

Legislation

Regulation
Enforcement
Police and MTO enforcement officers use both existing traffic-control techniques and
portable electronic testing units to verify the activation of a vehicle speed limiter at a
maximum of 105 km/h.
The use of portable electronic testing units provides access to the vehicle engine data,
and confirms if the limiter has been activated at a speed of 105 km/h or less. It is
necessary for officers to plug into a data port located within the cab of the truck. Failure
to assist with or allow the inspection will result in charges.
Ontario Specific Enforcement Issues – September 2022 94
Benefits

Reducing the speed of a vehicle will result in lower fuel consumption that helps
reduce greenhouse gas emissions and saves money on fuel purchases.

Drivers expose themselves to a number of dangers by exceeding speed limits.
Driving at higher speeds induces stress that results in fatigue and loss of
concentration. Speeding makes it more difficult to react to changes, stop suddenly
and control the vehicle – and, in case of a collision, the higher the speed, the more
severe the collision.

Setting speed limiters at 105 km/h or less will reduce the operating costs of many
transportation companies by reducing fuel consumption and increasing vehicle
energy efficiency.
Facility Audit and Operator Monitoring and Intervention – September 2022 95
Commercial Vehicle Operators’ Safety Manual
Module 6 – Facility Audit and Operator
Monitoring and Intervention
Overview ……………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 96
Operator Monitoring, Intervention and Facility Audit – Learning Objectives ……………… 97
Facility Audit Program ……………………………………………………………………………………… 98
PROFILES ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 98
Facility Audits and Carrier Safety Ratings …………………………………………………………… 99
How to Prepare for a Facility Audit …………………………………………………………………… 100
AUDIT PROCEDURE ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 101
Documents That an Operator Must Provide to an Auditor ……………………………………. 101
Audit Results ………………………………………………………………………………………………… 102
Conducting a Self-Audit: A Step-by-Step Process ……………………………………………… 103
VEHICLE MAINTENANCE PROFILE ………………………………………………………………………………………………. 103
QUALIFICATION, RECORDS AND REPORTING (Q,R&R) PROFILE ……………………………………………………….. 106
HOURS OF SERVICE PROFILE ……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 107
Facility Audit Sample Size Guideline ………………………………………………………………… 108
Intervention and Consequences of Non-Compliance ………………………………………….. 110
Monitoring ……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 111
CVOR MONITORING ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 111
Progressive Intervention …………………………………………………………………………………. 112
APPEALS ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 113
Appendix A: Sample Calculation Qualification, Records and Reporting and Hours of
Service Profiles …………………………………………………………………………………………….. 114
Facility Audit and Operator Monitoring and Intervention – September 2022 96
Overview
The Commercial Safety and Compliance Branch of the Ministry of Transportation of
Ontario has prepared this guide to assist and ensure that truck and bus companies
(commercial vehicle operators) operate safely and are compliant with the regulations
that govern highway use. Ontario, other provinces, the Government of Canada and the
transportation industry developed the rules and regulations to help reduce the number
and severity of collisions. Each jurisdiction has used the National Safety Code
standards as guides in drafting their own transportation safety legislation. This approach
promotes uniformity across Canada and helps to ensure that the transportation industry
remains as viable and sustainable as possible.
This guide applies to Ontario operators of commercial motor vehicles that are:
▪ Trucks, tractors, mobile equipment vehicles or trailers and/or any combination of
these vehicles that have a registered gross weight or actual weight of more than
4,500 kilograms
▪ Tow trucks, regardless of registered gross weight or actual weight
▪ Buses with a manufactured seating capacity of 10 persons or more, excluding
the driver
▪ Accessible vehicles and school purposes vehicles, depending upon use
The guide contains several modules, each dealing with a specific topic. To get a
complete picture of compliance requirements, you should obtain the complete guide. If
you intend to use certain parts of this guide only (for example, Module 1, “Getting
Started”) it is recommended that you also obtain the modules “Introduction” and
“Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration.”
This is a guide only and is not meant to be a substitute for the relevant statutes
and regulations. This guide highlights some important legal provisions but is not
an exhaustive description of all the laws that apply.
Facility Audit and Operator Monitoring and Intervention – September 2022 97
Operator Monitoring, Intervention and Facility Audit – Learning
Objectives
As you work through this module, you will be able to:
✓ Understand how an operator is selected for a facility audit.
✓ Understand the three main elements of a facility audit.
✓ Understand how a facility audit affects your Carrier Safety Rating.
✓ Prepare for a facility audit.
✓ Describe procedures for carrying out a facility audit.
✓ Describe the documents and records that an auditor will review.
✓ Complete the step-by-step process of a self-audit.
✓ Understand how operators are monitored by MTO.
✓ Describe progressive discipline and how it can be used as a disciplinary tool.
✓ Identify administrative penalties.
✓ Understand the appeal process.
Facility Audit and Operator Monitoring and Intervention – September 2022 98
Facility Audit Program
An operator can be subject to a facility audit at any time, and the Ministry of
Transportation has the authority to audit an operator under the Highway Traffic Act.
The Ontario facility audit is based on the Highway Traffic Act, which prescribes the
requirements for commercial vehicle operators to maintain all driver and vehicle records
within a defined time period and make them available to a facility auditor when
requested.
The current facility audit is a “risk based” assessment of the elements known to cause
or contribute to commercial motor vehicle collisions, and to reduce that likelihood. The
audit examines the operator’s safety-management controls that are in place, to ensure
drivers are:

Qualified to drive the operator’s equipment

Conducting the proper inspections of the operator’s equipment and report
deficiencies whenever they occur

Compliant with the driving limitations and rest requirements of the Hours of
Service regulation
Profiles
The three main elements (profiles) of a facility audit are:
1) Vehicle Maintenance
o Records current for a period of 24 months, or six months after the vehicle
ceases to be operated
2) Hours of Service
o Records current for a period of six months
3) Driver Qualification, Records and Reporting
o Records current for a period of two years, or from the date the driver
started with the operator (if less), or six months after the driver ceases to
be employed.
Facility Audit and Operator Monitoring and Intervention – September 2022 99
Profile Contents and Weightings
Vehicle Maintenance
(100 points)
Detection, Reporting and Repair (40)
Preventive Maintenance (30)
Records (20)
Annual and Semi-Annual Inspections (10)
Hours of Service
(100 points)
Quantified Margin of Error (90)
Data Items (10)
Qualifications, Records
and Reporting
(100 points)
Qualified Driver (60)
Driver Abstracts (15)
Conviction Records (15)
Operator Collisions (10)
Facility Audits and Carrier Safety Ratings
An operator must undergo a facility audit to become eligible for a satisfactory or
excellent Carrier Safety Rating. This rating is based on the operator’s violation rate,
audit compliance achieved and profile compliance rate.
Where an operator fails an audit (with an audit compliance achieved of less than 55
percent, or a score of less than 50 percent on any profile compliance rate), a rating of
“conditional” may be proposed by the Deputy Registrar of Motor Vehicles.
The overall audit score is expressed as:
Pass – if the overall audit score is 55 percent or greater, and no profile is below
50 percent
Fail – if the overall audit score is below 55 percent, or any profile is below 50
percent
Facility Audit and Operator Monitoring and Intervention – September 2022 100
How to Prepare for a Facility Audit
The facility audit is one of many methods the ministry uses to monitor a commercial
vehicle operator’s compliance with requirements for record-keeping, driver control and
vehicle maintenance, to better achieve road safety.
A facility audit is conducted for these reasons:

When on-road events change an operator’s overall violation rate, exceeding the
allowable threshold by 50 percent

If an operator has previously failed a facility audit within the past five years, and
has not passed an audit since that time

To verify that an operator is fulfilling commitments that were made to the Deputy
Registrar

Operators may voluntarily request an audit to have their Carrier Safety Rating
evaluated

To review complaints made about the unsafe performance of an operator’s
driver, vehicle or both
To maintain transparency in the audit process, the software used by the auditor is
programmed to randomly select drivers. To meet the sample requirements of the
vehicle maintenance profile, the auditor will first select vehicles from the operator’s
Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration (CVOR) record and select “events” to
satisfy the sample size requirements. Vehicles will be randomly selected only when a
search of the operator’s CVOR record fails to meet the sample requirements.
Facility Audit and Operator Monitoring and Intervention – September 2022 101
Audit Procedure
A facility auditor may contact the operator to schedule an audit, by phone or in writing.
The purpose of the facility audit, as well as the documents that will be required, is
clearly explained to the operator at that time. The auditor may also want to verify some
details about the operator’s business during the call.
At the entrance interview, the auditor explains the purpose, procedure, scoring and
importance of the audit, and its potential impact on the operator’s Carrier Safety Rating
and carrier profile.
The auditor will also ask the operator to explain and demonstrate (with documentation)
the hours of service and vehicle maintenance monitoring and recall systems used to
assess whether they are complying with the regulations.
An operator will be asked to produce, in writing, a preventive maintenance schedule.
The document will be reviewed and used by the auditor to determine if the operator’s
maintenance schedule is being followed.
Documents That an Operator Must Provide to an Auditor
The documents and records that an auditor will review are discussed at the time the
audit is scheduled, and may include – but are not limited to – the following:

A complete driver/vehicle list (current and six months ago)

Driver abstracts

Collision reports

Independent time markers from operator or MTO records (for example, toll
receipts, roadside inspection reports, conviction records and so on)

Payroll records

Invoices (cell phone, fuel, bridge-authority commercial accounts and so on)

Bills of lading

Operator’s invoice records

Bridge tolls

Accommodation/fuel receipts

Operator’s maintenance statements
Facility Audit and Operator Monitoring and Intervention – September 2022 102

Maintenance files (power units and trailers)

Annual inspection certificates

Semi-annual inspection certificates

Driver logs and time records

Daily inspection reports

Dispatch records

Computer-generated records

Electronic on-board recording devices or GPS satellite tracking-systems reports,
if applicable

Proof of insurance

Or any supporting document that could be used to assess compliance
The audit will be completed in a timely manner, but its length will vary depending on a
number of factors, such as the size of the operation, the availability of records, and the
availability of the auditor and the operator’s support personnel.
Audit Results
After the audit is completed, an exit interview takes place. The operator receives a
summary of the audit, with scores for each driver, vehicle and, if applicable, collision
files that were examined. The operator will be given ample opportunity to review and
discuss with the auditor the results of the audit and any possible charges.
Facility Audit and Operator Monitoring and Intervention – September 2022 103
Conducting a Self-Audit: A Step-by-Step Process
Vehicle Maintenance Profile
This profile examines the operator’s daily inspection and driver protocols, record-
keeping and the retention of maintenance files. It is broken down into four distinct
elements:

Detection, reporting and repair (40 points)

Preventive maintenance intervals (30 points)

Records (20 points)

Periodic mandatory commercial vehicle inspections (10 points)
Step 1 – Calculating Detection, Reporting and Repair
Examine the “event” date indicated on the commercial vehicle inspection report. If an
inspection is not available, use any event that places the vehicle on the highway during
the past six months.

If the vehicle daily inspection reports (including schedules) are improper or
missing, 10 points are deducted.

If inspection reports indicating vehicle defects, copies of roadside inspection
reports and report notices are not appropriately submitted by the driver, 10 points
are deducted.

If the reported vehicle defects are not repaired before the next vehicle dispatch,
10 points are deducted.

If the maintenance records do not contain the appropriate information required
after the reporting of the defect, 10 points are deducted.
** The total number of points (maximum of 40) will be referred to as “A.
“
Step 2 – Calculating Preventive Maintenance (PM) Intervals
To calculate the PM score, record the most current date of preventive maintenance and
work back a total of two years. The vehicle will be scored when:
Facility Audit and Operator Monitoring and Intervention – September 2022 104
Operators Maintenance Interval Points Removed
PM < 90 days When PM interval exceeds 90 days PM > 90 days When PM interval is exceeded
Based on mileage When interval and 90 days are exceeded
If a vehicle is operated on a highway in contravention of any PM interval, the full 30
points will be deducted.
** The total number of points (maximum of 30) will be referred to as “B.
“
Step 3 – Annual and Semi-Annual Inspections
Record the most current annual or, if applicable, the semi-annual inspection certificate,
to a maximum of three.
If a vehicle is operated on a highway within 24 months of the audit and in contravention
to the annual and semi-annual inspection interval, 10 points will be deducted.
** The total number of points (maximum of 10) will be referred to as “C.
“
Step 4 – Calculating the Score for Records
This element of the vehicle maintenance profile is composed of four units, with a value
of five points each:

The operator’s PM program is in writing.

The records and reports for the vehicle are maintained at the appropriate location
(principal place of business or terminal).

The records and reports have been maintained for two years, or for six months
after the vehicle ceases to operate.

The records and reports for the vehicle contain all the applicable information,
such as dates, odometer readings of inspection and repair and so on, as required
by Highway Traffic Act Regulation 199/07 Section 7 and 16.
Facility Audit and Operator Monitoring and Intervention – September 2022 105
Note:

When scoring this unit; do not use the daily inspection that was used in Step 1 in
detection, reporting and repair.

Any leased vehicles or vehicles in the operator’s possession will receive a full
score in Step 4 if the information in detection, reporting and repair is compliant.
**The total number of points (maximum of 20 points) will be referred to as “D.
“
To calculate each vehicle score, add the scores from each of the above steps:
A + B + C + D equals a total of 100 potential points.

To calculate the eligible points for all vehicles in this profile, add all eligible points
from the above steps.

The overall compliance achieved is expressed as a percentage of the total points
and eligible points.

The compliance rate is expressed as points based on the percentage of
compliance achieved.
Facility Audit and Operator Monitoring and Intervention – September 2022 106
Sample Calculation of the Vehicle Maintenance Profile
Plate Number
Detection,
Reporting and
Reporting
(40%)
Preventive
Maintenance
(30%)
Annual and
Semi-Annual
Inspections
(10%)
Records Score
111111 10.0% 0.0% 10.0% 5.0% 25.0%
111112 10.0% 0.0% 0.0% 20.0% 30.0%
111113 30.0% 30.0% 10.0% 15.0% 85.0%
111114 0.0% 30.0% 10.0% 15.0% 55.0%
112222 30.0% 30.0% 10.0% 20.0% 90.0%
122223 40.0% 0.0% 10.0% 20.0% 70.0%
TOTAL POINTS 120.0 90.0 50.0 95.0 355.0
Eligible Points 240.0 180.0 60.0 120.0 600.0
Compliance
Achieved 50.0% 50.0% 83.3% 79.1% 59.1%
Compliance Rates 20.0 15.0 8.3 15.83 50.17
Qualification, Records and Reporting (Q,R&R) Profile
This profile consists of several elements that are tailored to fit the specific operational
scope of the operator. Driver qualifications, conviction reporting and record retention
are examined and, if applicable, the reporting and resolution of collisions. Retention
periods vary for each element, and are explained below. Operators may be exempt
from certain record-keeping requirements, such as being a driver/owner. Points are
blended to represent only those elements applicable to the operator.
The profile elements and their represented weighting are as follows:
Qualified Drivers (60 percent)
Driver Abstracts (15 percent)
Conviction Records (15 percent)
Operator Collisions (10 percent)
Facility Audit and Operator Monitoring and Intervention – September 2022 107
The driver/owners would not be expected to acquire and retain abstracts and records
on themselves. In those cases, the 60-percent rating for qualified drivers is then
expressed as 100 percent. Operators with no collisions on their records will
automatically receive the 10 percent for operator collisions. Drivers selected for this
profile will be used in the hours of service profile.
See Appendix A,
“Sample Calculation of the QR&R and Hours –of -Service Profiles,
” for
details.
Hours of Service Profile
Definition
A quantified margin of error (QMOE) is the difference, in hours, between what a driver
reports on his daily log and the time indicated on a supporting source document. All
times are recorded to the quarter-hour (15 minutes).
The margin of error can be calculated in the following manner:

The time in excess of the driving limitations (13-,14- and 16-hour rule)

The time in excess of the cycle limitations (70- and 120-hour rule)

Driver scored “missing 24 hours” for a missing daily log or time record

For a false daily log, time difference doubled when it exceeds two hours
Calculating the Driver Profile
To calculate a driver score, the following steps must be followed:

Record all the on-duty time reported by the driver for a one-month period (call it
X).

Examine each day of the month by comparing receipts for bridge tolls, fuel,
accommodation and meals, telephone and GPS documents to the entries
indicated on the driver’s daily log.

When more than one margin of error is detected in a day, only record the
highest.

Total all margins of error for the month (call it Y).
Facility Audit and Operator Monitoring and Intervention – September 2022 108
When Y exceeds 10 percent of the X total, the driver has lost all of the 90 points
available. The driver can lose 10 data points if the hours –of -service documents fail to
record name, duty statuses, odometer readings, location, vehicle plate number, cycle,
address, previous hours, date and time/total.
For a sample calculation, refer to Appendix A, “Sample Calculation of the QR & R and
Hours of Service Profiles.”
Facility Audit Sample Size Guideline
Number
(Driver/Vehicles)
Sample Size
(Driver/Vehicles)
1 1
2 to 5 ALL
6 to 9 6
10 to 12 8
13 to 15 9
16 to 18 10
19 to 22 11
23 to 26 12
27 to 32 13
33 to 40 14
41 to 50 15
51 to 64 16
65 to 85 17
86 to 121 18
122 to 192 19
193 to 413 20
144 to 500 21

501 25
Facility Audit and Operator Monitoring and Intervention – September 2022 109
For further information on vehicle maintenance and hours of service requirements, refer
to the Highway Traffic Act.
Vehicle Maintenance
O. Regulation 199/07 (Commercial Motor Vehicle Inspections)
Hours -of Service Requirements
O. Regulation 555/06 (Hours of Service)
For more information please contact:
Facility Audit Administrator
Carrier Sanctions and Investigations Office
Ministry of Transportation
301 St. Paul Street, 3rd Floor
St. Catharines, ON L2R 7R4
Tel: 1-800-387-7736 (within Ontario only) or 1-416-246-7166
Fax: 905-704-2039
Facility Audit and Operator Monitoring and Intervention – September 2022 110
Intervention and Consequences of Non-Compliance
As a result of an audit, MTO may take any one or a combination of the following
intervention options:
▪ no action, as the operator has demonstrated acceptable compliance
▪ request a comprehensive action plan, acceptable to MTO, which the operator
must develop
▪ impose conditions on the operator’s CVOR certificate, requiring the operator to
take specific actions by the specified dates
▪ not issue various types of permits or certificates
Facility audit information is quantified and becomes an integral part of determining an
operator’s Carrier Safety Rating. Therefore, it is essential that an operator demonstrate
a high level of compliance to maintain an acceptable safety rating. Failure to do so may
lead to an operator being restricted or prevented from operating commercial vehicles in
the Province of Ontario.
Facility Audit and Operator Monitoring and Intervention – September 2022 111
Monitoring
Operators are expected to achieve and maintain a high level of safety compliance by
adopting effective safety-management practices.
In spite of the benefits of operating safely, some operators persist in a pattern of non-
compliance with safety-related regulations. The ministry takes a progressive approach
in dealing with them, in the hope of changing their behaviour.
Operators are routinely monitored for safety compliance. Duties of the ministry’s
enforcement staff include:
▪ patrolling the highways to detect violations and contribute to the safe movement
of goods and people
▪ conducting facility audits and investigating serious safety issues
▪ conducting dangerous-goods inspections
CVOR Monitoring
Operators based in Ontario, as well as US-based operators that operate in Ontario,
must obtain a CVOR certificate from the ministry.
This registration permits the ministry to gather all information relating to their operations
in Ontario. Information is sent to the ministry from agencies across North America,
where it is monitored and analyzed by ministry staff, and provides the basis for
establishing an operator’s safety rating.
The CVOR system tracks the on-road safety performance of each registrant operator.
The goal of the CVOR system is to improve road safety for all users of Ontario
highways, by having an effective monitoring and intervention system for all carriers.
Poor performance may result in the loss of privileges to operate commercial motor
vehicles.
All operators who are required to operate their vehicles under the authority of a CVOR
certificate are monitored in the following areas:
▪ Collisions
▪ Convictions
▪ Inspections
▪ Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance inspection results
Facility Audit and Operator Monitoring and Intervention – September 2022 112
For more information on CVOR monitoring, violation rates and Carrier Safety
Rating, see Module 4 of this manual.
Progressive Intervention
The purpose of ministry sanctions and intervention is to reduce the number and severity
of collisions, and reduce risk to the public. This program ensures that operators
demonstrating non-compliance are approached in a consistent, fair and objective
manner, yet is flexible enough to allow for special circumstances.
When contemplating an intervention action with an operator, the ministry considers:
▪ Predetermined stages established
▪ Information in the operator’s profile
▪ Operator’s monitoring stage (if any)
▪ Audit information collected
▪ Information collected through an investigation or inspection
▪ Other appropriate information about significant incidents related to safety or
compliance to safety laws
▪ Disciplinary letters sent regarding unacceptable performance
▪ Charges laid resulting from a facility audit
▪ Direction to the operator to arrange for a compliance audit
▪ “Conditional” Carrier Safety Rating
▪ Suspension/cancellation of the operator’s operating privileges
▪ “Unsatisfactory” Carrier Safety Rating
▪ Fleet limitation
▪ Seizure of plates
When considering an intervention, the level of risk that the operator represents to the
road safety will be considered. Operators representing the greatest risk to the road
safety will be given the least amount of time to make adjustments to their practices.
Operators that present an immediate risk to public safety will be dealt with using any of
the available tools considered appropriate at the time.
Facility Audit and Operator Monitoring and Intervention – September 2022 113
Sanctions and interventions are progressive in nature, and ensure that all operators
are treated in a consistent and fair manner. They are used to modify an operator’s
behaviour and obtain positive change. An operator might progress through some or all
of these intervention actions until their activities are managed appropriately and safely.
If an operator fails to properly manage their administrative and safety processes, they
may be issued an unsatisfactory or conditional safety rating, or ultimately lose their
privileges and have their CVOR certificate cancelled. This would mean that they could
no longer operate commercial vehicles on any highways in Ontario.
Appeals
If the operator believes a penalty imposed by the Deputy Registrar was not appropriate,
then the operator has the option of initiating an appeal to the Licence Appeal Tribunal as
per subsection 50(1) of the Highway Traffic Act.
The HTA allows the operator to file an appeal within 30 days of notification of a decision,
or an action, that has been imposed on them by the Deputy Registrar. For a fee, appeal
hearing application forms can be obtained from the Licence Appeal Tribunal.
For additional information, visit the Licence Appeal Tribunal website or call (416) 314-
4270.
Facility Audit and Operator Monitoring and Intervention – February 2022 114
Appendix A: Sample Calculation Qualification, Records and Reporting and Hours of Service Profiles
Safety Programs, Record Keeping and Driver Files – September 2022 115
Commercial Vehicle Operators’ Safety Manual
Module 7 – Safety Programs, Record-Keeping and
Driver Files
Overview ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 116
Safety Programs, Record-Keeping and Driver Files – Learning Objectives …………….. 117
Safety Programs …………………………………………………………………………………………… 118
WHY A SAFETY PROGRAM IS GOOD PRACTICE …………………………………………………………………………….. 118
WHO THE SAFETY PROGRAM IS FOR ………………………………………………………………………………………….. 118
Due Diligence ……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 119
Components of a Safety Program ……………………………………………………………………. 120
Developing a Written Safety Program ………………………………………………………………. 121
WRITTEN POLICIES, PROCEDURES AND PRACTICES ………………………………………………………………………. 121
TRAINING ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 121
MEASUREMENT / EVALUATION ………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 121
DISCIPLINE / ENFORCEMENT …………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 121
Components of a Comprehensive Safety Program …………………………………………….. 122
THE HIRING PROCESS …………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 122
ORIENTATION ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 123
TRAINING ITEMS FOR A SAFETY PROGRAM ………………………………………………………………………………….. 124
Driver Files …………………………………………………………………………………………………… 125
Incident Reporting Processes and Procedures ………………………………………………….. 131
INCIDENT RESPONSE PROCEDURES …………………………………………………………………………………………… 131
COLLISION EVALUATION ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 132
SUBSTANCE ABUSE POLICY ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 132
DISCIPLINE PROCESS ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 132
COMPLIANCE WITH LEGISLATION ……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 132
Safety Programs, Record Keeping and Driver Files – September 2022 116
Overview
The Commercial Safety and Compliance Branch of the Ministry of Transportation of
Ontario has prepared this guide to assist and ensure that truck and bus companies
(commercial vehicle operators) operate safely and are compliant with the regulations
that govern highway use. Ontario, other provinces, the Government of Canada and the
transportation industry developed the rules and regulations to help reduce the number
and severity of collisions. Each jurisdiction has used the National Safety Code
standards as guides in drafting their own transportation safety legislation. This approach
promotes uniformity across Canada and helps to ensure that the transportation industry
remains as viable and sustainable as possible.
This guide applies to Ontario operators of commercial motor vehicles that are:
▪ Trucks, tractors, mobile equipment vehicles or trailers and/or any combination of
these vehicles that have a registered gross weight or actual weight of more than
4,500 kilograms
▪ Tow trucks, regardless of registered gross weight or actual weight
▪ Buses with a manufactured seating capacity of 10 persons or more, excluding
the driver
▪ Accessible vehicles and school purposes vehicles, depending upon use
The guide contains several modules, each dealing with a specific topic. To get a
complete picture of compliance requirements, you should obtain the complete guide. If
you intend to use certain parts of this guide only (for example, Module 1, “Getting
Started”) it is recommended that you also obtain the modules “Introduction” and
“Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration.”
This is a guide only and is not meant to be a substitute for the relevant statutes
and regulations. This guide highlights some important legal provisions but is not
an exhaustive description of all the laws that apply.
Safety Programs, Record Keeping and Driver Files – September 2022 117
Safety Programs, Record-Keeping and Driver Files – Learning
Objectives
As you work through this module, you will be able to:
✓ Identify best practices of record-keeping and development of a safety
program.
✓ Understand the benefits of developing a safety program.
✓ Identify the recommended components of a safety program.
✓ Develop those policies that could be included in the safety program.
✓ Understand the importance and benefit of a clear hiring, training and
orientation process.
✓ Develop a process for record-keeping.
✓ Describe the requirements for a driver file.
✓ Understand how, and what data to analyze, to keep an effective and current
safety program.
Some aspects of this module provide guidance to operators with one or more employees. It is
understood that not all operators will have employees, however, the intent is to assist those who
do and prepare owner operators for future growth.
Safety Programs, Record Keeping and Driver Files – September 2022 118
Safety Programs
In Ontario, there are no legal requirements under the Highway Traffic Act to develop or
maintain a safety program for your business. However, it is considered a best practice
to develop a program that addresses matters relating to the safe use and operation of
commercial vehicles.
Why a Safety Program Is Good Practice
A safety program ensures that management has the information available to make
proper decisions to establish safe working conditions for all operators and operator’s
employees, coupled with heightened awareness of road-safety compliance. A good
safety program will reduce property damage and, more importantly, prevent injuries and
deaths. It is also a resource for the employees, to know and understand their rights and
responsibilities.
Other legislation such as the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) may require
additional components to a safety program. To consult the OHSA, access the
regulation on the E-Laws website.
Or visit Ontario Ministry of Labour
Or Federal Health and Safety
Who the Safety Program Is For
The safety program should apply to all employees involved in any function related to the
truck or bus company, including but not limited to:
▪ Full-time, part-time and temporary drivers of regulated vehicles
▪ Person(s) managing/directing drivers, safety officers and maintenance personnel
▪ Administrative staff performing safety-related functions
▪ Person(s) repairing or fuelling vehicles
▪ Safety officers
Safety Programs, Record Keeping and Driver Files – September 2022 119
Due Diligence
Due diligence – a defence often used in courts – means that everything reasonable was
established and implemented to prevent a violation or incident. So, when developing,
maintaining and implementing a safety program, you must understand your legal
responsibilities. You are required to develop policies and procedures, and keep records
indicating clearly that you have fulfilled your responsibilities. Ignorance of the law is not
a defence.
Here are some specific items that operators should consider to ensure due diligence:
▪ Knowing acts and regulations and keeping up to date with the changes
▪ Hiring qualified staff
▪ Documenting the responsibilities of staff involved in safety-related areas, as well
as the general responsibilities of all staff in the workplace (for example, log-book
requirements or emergency procedures)
▪ Educating staff on legislative requirements, company policies, procedures, rules
and so on
▪ Monitoring internal safety systems to ensure compliance to written policies and to
legislative requirements
▪ Informing staff of legislative or company policy changes
▪ Disciplining staff and documenting actions when they happen
▪ Keeping records to prove that a safety program has been established and
implemented (for example, written policies and documenting training activities)
Due diligence requires that all policies, procedures and activities must be in place
before collisions or violations occur.
Safety Programs, Record Keeping and Driver Files – September 2022 120
Components of a Safety Program
A safety program or plan is a written document that outlines the safety practices and
expectations for all employees within an operator’s organization. A program needs to
be customized to meet all of the safety issues of the operator.
It is recommended that a safety program address at least the following issues:
▪ Speed limits, seat-belt use, drug and alcohol use, defensive driving, fatigue
management, load security, and fuelling.
▪ Proper records and recording of information, including bills of lading, manifests,
dangerous goods documents, time records, drivers’ daily logs, daily inspection
reports and weigh slips.
▪ Policies indicating that drivers are expected to comply with the law, as well as
policy and procedures related to driver training, responsibilities, conduct and
discipline.
▪ Instructions for the use of safety equipment issued, including the use of flags and
flares, fire extinguishers, goggles, and hard hats.
▪ Training for employees about safety laws and their application.
▪ An ongoing program for evaluating employees’ driving skills.
▪ Retention of complete records for each driver.
▪ Policies for ensuring that drivers are properly qualified for the type of vehicle that
they operate.
Communication is key to the success of a safety program. A system could be
developed to ensure that:
▪ Management is aware of all critical items that affect the company, so they can
respond to problems that arise.
▪ Items such as training, incidents, collisions, convictions and so on are
documented.
▪ Recall systems are set up for items such as annual inspections, expiry dates for
drivers’ licences, drivers’ abstracts and schedules (for preventive maintenance,
future training and so on).
▪ Employees are trained, and trainers are qualified to give instruction.
Safety Programs, Record Keeping and Driver Files – September 2022 121
▪ Employees, by attending training, know what is required to be in compliance with
the expectations outlined in the safety program.
Developing a Written Safety Program
Though not required, it is considered a best practice to develop a written safety
program. You should develop a policy statement, procedures, training requirements,
recording method, evaluation and the consequences of non-compliance. You should
also tailor your safety program to your specific needs.
Written Policies, Procedures and Practices
Policies and procedures inform and direct the behaviour of employees in an
organization. Employees should be able to look up procedures for different situations.
Each operator should identify critical situations and specify how each should be
handled. Corrective measures should be identified in anticipation of an unsafe event.
For example, a policy and procedures document outlining how to deal with a small fire
in a terminal building or in a vehicle will inform the staff of what they should do in such a
situation. Training on how to use portable fire extinguishers would give employees the
skills and confidence required to deal safely with this situation.
Training
Employers have a legal obligation under the Occupational Health and Safety Act to
make sure that their staff is properly trained for the duties to which they are assigned.
After hiring, train all employees and re-train when necessary, to ensure that they will be
able to carry out their responsibilities efficiently and safely.
Keep a record of all staff training in the employee’s file.
Measurement / Evaluation
The operator should have procedures to evaluate the critical tasks. For example,
reviewing drivers’ daily logs for completeness and accuracy is one means of evaluation.
Discipline / Enforcement
The operator should clearly identify the consequences of not complying with, or refusing
to comply with, the adopted policies and procedures. Monitoring of compliance, and
any disciplinary actions that result, should be progressive in nature and recorded.
Safety Programs, Record Keeping and Driver Files – September 2022 122
Components of a Comprehensive Safety Program
What follows are important issues that should be considered in your safety program.
The Hiring Process
Drivers can be an operator’s most valuable asset, or its biggest liability. Care should be
taken to ensure that your company attracts and develops qualified, professional drivers.
Selective hiring of safe, skilled drivers with good work habits, who fit into the company
environment, helps minimize employee turnover and reduces training costs.
The following are tips for developing good hiring practices:
▪ Designate one person to oversee the hiring of new drivers.
▪ Consider how you advertise for new drivers. You may look to employees for
referrals. If you advertise, stress your high standards, safety requirements and
exclusive hiring practices.
▪ Focus on an applicant’s positive attitude, trainability and then relevant
experience. It is much easier to train a new driver with a good attitude than to
change the attitude of an experienced driver.
▪ Choose a maximum violation and collision threshold for new hires that you feel is
reasonable. Consider if your threshold will include preventable collisions only, or
all collisions. Do not hire the applicant if the threshold is exceeded.
▪ Look for a minimum experience level for new hires. If you cannot find an
experienced driver, you may want to look at an applicant who displays the proper
attitude and aptitude for training. Consider what type of equipment the candidate
would be using. You may want to assign new hires to yard, dock or local duty for
a probationary period.
▪ Conduct a personal interview to evaluate attitude, literacy and language skills.
Consider the following in your interview process:
o Question any employment gaps shown on a résumé.
o Have a second interviewer confirm the candidate’s potential and
capabilities.
o Follow up by contacting references and past employers.
o Look for positive attributes during the interview. These positive attributes
include manners, professionalism, being open-minded to change, team-
player orientated and so on. You want to hire an applicant who will fit into
your company.
Safety Programs, Record Keeping and Driver Files – September 2022 123
o If the applicant has worked for a number of companies, find out why.
Avoid hiring drivers with past performance problems.
o Evaluate the financial performance of owner/operators. Those successful
in the past are an indicator of long-term safety performance and of a good
professional driver.
o Review a current driver abstract to confirm history as a condition of
employment.
▪ Use an experienced driver to conduct a driving evaluation of all possible new
hires. Use a thorough test that includes two- and four-lane highways, city driving,
and yard backing and parking. Things to look for include: shifting, turning, mirror
usage, speed and general awareness. Develop a written and a road exam, or a
check-off form, to test an applicant’s skills and knowledge.
▪ Look for positive attitudes in safety representatives, accountants, dispatchers,
mechanics, dock workers and so on. Use much the same approach as in the
hiring of drivers.
▪ Be honest with applicants. Fully explain what is expected of employees. Do not
promise benefits and compensations that you will not be able to deliver.
Orientation
Orientation is part of employee training. The purpose of an orientation program is to
familiarize new employees with their jobs and the company, including all policies and
procedures.
Use an experienced driver to assist with the orientation of new ones. Ensure that your
experienced driver is suitably trained to do the orientation. Consider developing a list of
“Must Always Do” and “Must Never Do” as part of your orientation program, to heighten
consistency in material being covered in each case.
Consider having new drivers ride with those who are experienced for a time period.
Use experienced drivers who are committed to the company’s goals and objectives, and
who have a proven safety record.
If your company has numerous vehicle configurations, have the driver start with simpler
equipment and advance to more specialized equipment as experience is gained.
Experienced employees from other areas of your company can be used to assist with
the orientation in their areas.
Safety Programs, Record Keeping and Driver Files – September 2022 124
Training Items for a Safety Program
When providing training specifically, or at staff safety meetings, it is good practice to
keep a record of the training offered, who took it and what results were obtained, along
with a recall system to find the information at a later date. Choose the training
programs and the instructors carefully to ensure that the training is effective and specific
to your equipment.
Some common topics to be covered in training are listed below. It is important to be
consistent and provide the same training to all staff.
▪ Safety equipment
▪ Load security
▪ Vehicle operation and safe driving
▪ Hours of service
▪ Vehicle maintenance
▪ National Safety Code
▪ Company safety program
▪ Transportation legislation
▪ Occupational Health and Safety Act
▪ Highway Traffic Act and other relevant legislation
Safety Programs, Record Keeping and Driver Files – September 2022 125
Driver Files
Operators to which Regulation 555/06 (Hours of Service) apply are required to monitor
their drivers performance to ensure that they meet these regulated requirements.
Operators are also required to document corrective action taken to address incidents of
non-compliance.
Below are the required and recommended items associated with a Ministry of
Transportation facility audit to be kept in an operator’s drivers’ files for each person who
is authorized to drive.
Required Documents:
▪ A CVOR Driver’s Abstract obtained within the preceding 12 months of the audit.
▪ A record of all convictions and/or administrative penalties for provincial and
federal legislation that have taken place in the last 24 months.
▪ Record of all collisions involving any commercial motor vehicles and a record of
any action taken by the carrier to demonstrate that they have responded to the
incident.
▪ Records that confirm the completion of dangerous goods training, if applicable.
The operator uses this information, as well as training and testing, to decide whether or
not the driver is fit to drive. All drivers, full time or part time, and any employees who
may drive, should be included. Drivers hired from a pool must also be included. The
operator should ensure that similar records are kept by the agency providing the drivers.
In addition, an operator should consider including the following documents as part of its
driver files:
▪ Completed application form.
▪ Record of three-year employment history.
▪ Record of all collisions involving any motor vehicle.
▪ Record of all training completed.
▪ Copy of current medical certificate (indirect information may be acceptable, such
as a copy of the driver’s abstract or drivers licence).
As a best practice, the operator should consider incorporating the following suggestions
as part of their driver screening:
▪ Set up an annual review for all drivers.
Safety Programs, Record Keeping and Driver Files – September 2022 126
▪ Provide recognition for good performance, as well as opportunities for
improvement.
▪ Set up a recall system for notification of when records and training need to be
updated.
▪ Obtain and review driver abstracts more than what is required (i.e. monthly,
quarterly, etc.)
▪ Obtain and review the carrier profile every one to six months.
The operator should use this information, as well as training and testing, to decide
whether or not the driver is fit to drive. All drivers, full time or part time, and any
employees who may drive, should be included. Drivers hired from a pool must also be
included. The operator should ensure that similar records are kept by the agency
providing the drivers.
Safety Programs, Record Keeping and Driver Files – September 2022 127
Driver Qualification File
The Ministry of Transportation recommends that an operator set up an individual
qualification file for each driver. A checklist of required and recommended
documentation can be attached to the cover of each file, to assist the operator in
maintaining up-to-date information. The operator should set up and keep files on each
person authorized to drive their vehicles. This is to ensure that a driver is qualified and
continues to be qualified to operate a commercial vehicle. The file should contain at
least the following:
▪ Application for employment and employment history.
▪ Collision and violation disclosures.
▪ Driver record (abstract).
▪ Annual review of driver fitness.
▪ Corrective disciplinary action.
▪ Certificates of dangerous goods training.
▪ Record of training by driver.
▪ Record of medical requirements/expiry, if applicable.

Application for Employment and Employment History
Operator
The driver’s completed application for employment, plus a complete employment
history for at least three years immediately before the time the driver started working
for the operator, are suggested.

Single Driver Licence Disclosure
Driver
A driver is not allowed to hold more than one valid driver’s licence issued by any
jurisdiction at any one time. To be hired by the operator, the driver should disclose
the name of each province/ territory in Canada or US state/district/ territory where he
or she is licensed; the class of licence held; whether or not that licence has been
suspended; and the name in which each driver’s licence has been issued. While
employed with the operator, the driver must also disclose, without delay, any
suspensions, cancellation, prohibition or change in classification of the licence.
Safety Programs, Record Keeping and Driver Files – September 2022 128
Operator
The operator should ensure that drivers only operate vehicles allowed by their
licence class, conditions and endorsements.

Disclosure of Collisions – Scored in a Facility Audit
Driver
A driver hired by an operator to drive a commercial vehicle shall immediately
indicate to the operator, in writing, all details of collisions – and that, as a result of
the collision:
a. No one was injured
b. No one died
c. The apparent cost to repair property damage was less than $2,000
All other collisions must be reported to a peace officer.
Operator
When a driver tells the operator about a collision, the operator should include this
information in the driver’s qualification file.
It is recommended that all collisions in which the driver has been involved should be
reported to the operator. These include collisions that occur in private vehicles, as
well as the operator’s vehicles.
Operators should keep records of all collisions, conduct evaluations and take
corrective action.

Disclosure of Violations – Scored in a Facility Audit
Driver
Any driver of commercial vehicles should report any and all convictions resulting
from the operation of a motor vehicle to the operator. This should be done in writing
at the time of the conviction.
Safety Programs, Record Keeping and Driver Files – September 2022 129
Operator
When a driver reports a conviction, the operator should keep the report for the
current year and retain reports for four years, if applicable. Operators should review
each violation and document all corrective action.

Driver Abstract – Scored in a Facility Audit
Driver
Drivers should be required to provide the operator with a current driver abstract, or
sign a release form allowing the operator to obtain the abstract.
Operator
The operator should obtain a driving abstract upon hiring a new driver, and at least
every year after that. The operator should set up an internal process to make sure
that abstracts are obtained.

Annual Review of Driver Fitness
Operator
Before hiring a driver and for every year after that, the operator should review the
driving abstract and decide whether or not the driver is fit to drive according to
company policy. The operator should record the review in the driver qualification
file.
A copy of the driver’s current medical certificate must also be filed. Alternatively, an
operator could satisfy this requirement if the driver’s file contained a copy of the
employee’s valid driver’s licence and/or a current copy of the driver’s abstract.
The review can range in scope from a formal employee appraisal interview to a
dated and signed statement of the driver abstract. The review should include the
date and a written confirmation by the operator that the driver is fit to continue
driving. This document should be signed by the operator representative who
conducted the driver evaluation and by the person who approved the driver’s fitness.

Progressive Discipline
The operator should have a program of progressive discipline for company
personnel who violate hours of service and other regulations. The program must be
consistent with federal and provincial legislation.
The policy and the discipline procedure should be outlined, listing the steps up to,
and including, termination. For example, this could be a four-step process involving
a verbal warning, a written warning, a suspension and termination.
Safety Programs, Record Keeping and Driver Files – September 2022 130
The operator should record each event and be sure that:
▪ The employees know each step of the policy.
▪ As each step of the policy is enforced, the employee is notified in writing of
the next step.
▪ If the violation happens again, the employee is notified.
▪ The policy is enforced in a consistent manner.

Certificate of Dangerous Goods Training – Scored in a Facility Audit
Driver
Every driver who transports dangerous goods must possess a valid certificate of
training that must be issued by their current employer. In Canada, the certificate of
training is valid for a maximum of three years.
Operator
Every employer who issues a certificate of training shall keep a copy of it in the
driver’s file for a period of at least two years longer than the expiry date of that
certificate.
Recommended Additional Documentation
In addition to the required documents outlined previously, the Ministry of Transportation
suggests that the operator keep the following information in the driver qualification files:
▪ Road test.
▪ Examinations or other supporting documentation used to train and evaluate staff.
▪ Alcohol and drug-testing records (drug testing is not a requirement for operators
in Ontario).
Safety Programs, Record Keeping and Driver Files – September 2022 131
Incident Reporting Processes and Procedures
Consider setting up a committee to investigate all collisions, near misses and incidents
in which employees are injured and/or equipment or goods are damaged. This
committee may include management and staff.
All collisions, near misses and incidents should be reported and investigated, no matter
how small. A near miss can easily result in an injury or a fatality, and should be
thoroughly investigated.
In the event of a collision, the operator should have a policy in place for employees to
follow, which may include:
▪ Procedures a driver must follow when involved in a collision (many companies
provide an information kit in all vehicles, including a camera).
▪ Procedures for forwarding collision information as soon as possible to the
collision/incident investigation committee for investigation.
▪ Reporting summary form.
▪ Emergency contacts.
Incident Response Procedures
The committee may provide recommendations based on established written guidelines
regarding preventable and non-preventable collisions. The committee may be able to
detect patterns for the collisions/incidents, and make recommendations on how to avoid
further mishaps.
Response procedures should also include discussing the collision/incident at the next
regularly scheduled safety meeting.
Safety Programs, Record Keeping and Driver Files – September 2022 132
Collision Evaluation
Company collision statistics should be maintained to better understand the causes and
address collision prevention. Consider the following factors:
▪ Day of the week.
▪ Time of the day.
▪ Hours driven over a period of time.
▪ Driver age.
▪ Driver experience.
▪ Preventable or non-preventable.
▪ Location.
▪ Environmental factors such as weather, road conditions, etc.
Substance Abuse Policy
Substance abuse refers to “continuous or excessive” use of legal substances such as
alcohol and prescription drugs, as well as the use of illegal substances. Consider
putting a “zero tolerance” clause in your policy for any substance that impairs an
employee’s ability to carry out their job responsibilities.
Discipline Process
Using driver input, develop and follow a progressive disciplinary plan. Depending upon
the number, severity and preventability of collisions/incidents over a period of time, the
disciplinary plan may include a system of warnings, suspension, additional training and
termination.
Before any disciplinary action is taken, drivers should have prior knowledge of the
disciplinary plan obtained through staff orientation, training or at regularly scheduled
safety meetings. All actions taken, including verbal warnings, should be documented
and included in the employee file.
Compliance with Legislation
Successful companies complete ongoing checks to ensure that legislation and policies
and procedures are being followed. Random checks can be completed prior to
monthly/quarterly staff safety meetings. This will give the company the opportunity to
rectify problems on a timely basis, reduce collisions and injuries, and minimize
expenses.
Safety Programs, Record Keeping and Driver Files – September 2022 133
Regularly select a sample of files for monitoring. Check driver records to ensure
accuracy. Check logbooks for violations and accuracy. Be sure that drivers are
following policies and procedures such as daily inspections and load security. Check
vehicle files to ensure that maintenance is up to date and effective.
Conduct annual reviews of driver and vehicle performance. Discuss your findings with
the employees.
Preventive Maintenance, Record Keeping and Vehicle Files – September 2022 134
Commercial Vehicle Operators’ Safety Manual
Module 8 – Preventive Maintenance, Record-
Keeping and Vehicle Files
Overview ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 136
Preventive Maintenance, Record-Keeping and Vehicle Files – Learning Objectives .. 137
Truck, Bus and Trailer Maintenance ………………………………………………………………… 138
PURPOSE …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 138
REQUIREMENTS …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 138
PERFORMANCE STANDARDS …………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 138
PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE PROGRAM ………………………………………………………………………………………. 138
Vehicle Inspections ……………………………………………………………………………………….. 140
Daily Inspections …………………………………………………………………………………………… 141
PURPOSE …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 141
BRIEF OVERVIEW OF DAILY INSPECTION PROGRAM ……………………………………………………………………….. 141
VEHICLES THAT REQUIRE DAILY INSPECTION ………………………………………………………………………………. 141
VEHICLES EXEMPT FROM DAILY INSPECTION ……………………………………………………………………………….. 142
INSPECTION REQUIRED BY DRIVER OR OTHER PERSON …………………………………………………………………. 144
INSPECTION PROCEDURES: ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 144
Daily Inspection Schedules …………………………………………………………………………….. 145
APPLICATION OF INSPECTION SCHEDULE …………………………………………………………………………………….. 145
ONTARIO’S SIX DAILY INSPECTION SCHEDULES ……………………………………………………………………………. 145
UNDER-VEHICLE INSPECTIONS (SCHEDULE 4) ……………………………………………………………………………… 146
CARRY AND PRODUCE SCHEDULES ……………………………………………………………………………………………. 146
WHERE TO GET INSPECTION SCHEDULES ……………………………………………………………………………………. 146
Daily Inspection Reports ………………………………………………………………………………… 148
TYPES OF DAILY INSPECTION REPORTS ………………………………………………………………………………………. 148
COMPLETING DAILY INSPECTION REPORTS ………………………………………………………………………………….. 148
VALIDITY PERIOD OF DAILY INSPECTION REPORTS ………………………………………………………………………… 149
CARRY AND PRODUCE DAILY INSPECTION REPORTS ……………………………………………………………………… 149
Submitting Daily Inspection Reports to the Operator ………………………………………….. 149
SINGLE DAILY INSPECTION REPORTS …………………………………………………………………………………………. 149
DAILY INSPECTION REPORT BOOKS …………………………………………………………………………………………… 149
WHERE TO GET DAILY INSPECTION REPORTS ………………………………………………………………………………. 150
HANDING OVER VALID DAILY INSPECTION REPORTS TO ANOTHER DRIVER …………………………………………. 150
CONTENTS OF DAILY INSPECTION REPORTS ………………………………………………………………………………… 150
SAMPLE DAILY INSPECTION REPORTS ………………………………………………………………………………………… 152
CERTIFICATION OF REPAIRS …………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 153
DAILY INSPECTION REPORT BOOKS KEPT IN THE VEHICLE ………………………………………………………………. 153
Preventive Maintenance, Record Keeping and Vehicle Files – September 2022 135
Vehicle Defects …………………………………………………………………………………………….. 154
RECORDING DEFECTS …………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 154
REPORTING DEFECTS …………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 154
DRIVING WITH DEFECTS ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 154
USE OF ELECTRONIC DEVICES AND DOCUMENTS ………………………………………………………………………….. 155
Daily Inspection Report Retention Period and Location ………………………………………. 155
Out-of-Province and US Vehicles …………………………………………………………………….. 156
OUT-OF-PROVINCE CANADIAN VEHICLES ……………………………………………………………………………………. 156
US TRUCKS, TRAILERS AND BUSES OPERATING IN ONTARIO …………………………………………………………… 156
ONTARIO TRUCKS AND TRAILERS AND BUSES TRAVELLING IN THE US ………………………………………………. 156
Periodic Mandatory Commercial Motor Vehicle Inspection (PMVI) ……………………….. 157
BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THE PERIODIC COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLE INSPECTIONS ……………………………….. 157
OUT-OF-PROVINCE CONSIDERATIONS ………………………………………………………………………………………… 157
VEHICLES THAT ARE SUBJECT TO PERIODIC MANDATORY INSPECTIONS …………………………………………….. 158
ANNUAL INSPECTION: ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 158
SEMI-ANNUAL INSPECTION: ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 158
VEHICLES THAT DO NOT REQUIRE ANNUAL OR SEMI-ANNUAL INSPECTIONS ………………………………………. 160
Inspection Criteria …………………………………………………………………………………………. 161
ONTARIO’S MODIFICATIONS TO THE NATIONAL STANDARD: ……………………………………………………………… 163
USE AND APPLICATION OF PMVI INSPECTION STICKERS ………………………………………………………………… 163
TRUCK, MOBILE EQUIPMENT VEHICLE, TRAILER AND CONVERTER DOLLY ………………………………………….. 164
BUSES, ACCESSIBLE VEHICLES AND SCHOOL PURPOSES VEHICLES …………………………………………………. 164
PMVI Record-Keeping ……………………………………………………………………………………. 165
COMMERCIAL VEHICLE SAFETY ALLIANCE (CVSA) INSPECTIONS ……………………………………………………… 166
LEVELS OF INSPECTION …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 166
SAFETY STANDARDS CERTIFICATES …………………………………………………………………………………………… 167
BUS INSPECTIONS ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 168
Vehicle Record-Keeping …………………………………………………………………………………. 168
RECORDS TO BE RETAINED ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 168
RETENTION PERIOD FOR RECORDS ……………………………………………………………………………………………. 169
RETENTION LOCATION FOR RECORDS ………………………………………………………………………………………… 169
ELECTRONIC RECORDS …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 170
Internal Evaluation of an Operator’s Preventive Maintenance Program …………………. 170
List of Appendices …………………………………………………………………………………………. 171
APPENDIX A – DAILY INSPECTION SCHEDULES 1 TO 6 ……………………………………………………………………. 172
APPENDIX B – SAMPLE DAILY INSPECTION REPORTS …………………………………………………………………….. 196
Preventive Maintenance, Record Keeping and Vehicle Files – September 2022 136
Overview
The Commercial Safety and Compliance Branch of the Ministry of Transportation of
Ontario has prepared this guide to assist and ensure that truck and bus companies
(commercial vehicle operators) operate safely and are compliant with the regulations
that govern highway use. Ontario, other provinces, the Government of Canada and the
transportation industry developed the rules and regulations to help reduce the number
and severity of collisions. Each jurisdiction has used the National Safety Code
standards as guides in drafting their own transportation safety legislation. This approach
promotes uniformity across Canada and helps to ensure that the transportation industry
remains as viable and sustainable as possible.
This guide applies to Ontario operators of commercial motor vehicles that are:
▪ Trucks, tractors, mobile equipment vehicles or trailers and/or any combination of
these vehicles that have a registered gross weight or actual weight of more than
4,500 kilograms
▪ Tow trucks, regardless of registered gross weight or actual weight
▪ Buses with a manufactured seating capacity of 10 persons or more, excluding
the driver
▪ Accessible vehicles and school purposes vehicles, depending upon use
The guide contains several modules, each dealing with a specific topic. To get a
complete picture of compliance requirements, you should obtain the complete guide. If
you intend to use certain parts of this guide only (for example, Module 1, “Getting
Started”) it is recommended that you also obtain the modules “Introduction” and
“Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration.”
This is a guide only and is not meant to be a substitute for the relevant statutes
and regulations. This guide highlights some important legal provisions but is not
an exhaustive description of all the laws that apply.
Preventive Maintenance, Record Keeping and Vehicle Files – September 2022 137
Preventive Maintenance, Record-Keeping and Vehicle Files – Learning
Objectives
As you work through this module, you will be able to:
✓ Determine if you need a preventive-maintenance program.
✓ Determine your responsibilities regarding your vehicles.
✓ Plan for and complete required daily inspections.
✓ Identify and plan for all required vehicle inspections.
✓ Develop and use inspection schedules and inspection reports.
✓ Meet the requirements of the Commercial Vehicle Inspection Program
(CVIP).
✓ Meet the requirements of driver and vehicle roadside Commercial Vehicle
Safety Alliance (CVSA) inspections conducted on drivers and vehicles.
✓ Meet the requirement of the Bus Information Tracking System (BITS) for
bus operators.
✓ Ensure that vehicle records are appropriately completed and kept.
Preventive Maintenance, Record Keeping and Vehicle Files – September 2022 138
Truck, Bus and Trailer Maintenance
Purpose
The purpose of this module is to provide information to operators about the minimum
requirements for the maintenance, inspection and component performance standards
for trucks, trailers and buses.
Requirements
Operators of trucks, buses and towed trailers, to which the regulations apply, are
required to:

Establish a written schedule to periodically inspect and maintain vehicles.

Ensure that inspections and maintenance are carried out in accordance with the
written schedule.

Ensure that vehicles meet the prescribed performance standards at all times while
operating on a highway.

Ensure drivers conduct daily inspections.

Maintain valid annual or semi-annual inspections on all applicable vehicles.
Performance Standards
Prescribed Performance Standards for the vehicle are set out in the following Highway
Traffic Act (HTA) Regulations;

HTA Regulation 199/07 (Commercial Motor Vehicle Inspections)

HTA Regulation 611 (Safety Inspections)

HTA Regulation 612 (School Buses)

HTA Regulation 587 (Equipment)
Preventive Maintenance Program
To meet regulatory requirements, a maintenance and inspection program must be
established by the operator and recorded in a schedule. A program to periodically
inspect and maintain vehicles can be a simple written or electronic document that sets
out, for example, a stated time period and/or distance when a vehicle requires its next
inspection and/or maintenance activity.
Preventive Maintenance, Record Keeping and Vehicle Files – September 2022 139
Inspections and maintenance intervals are commonly linked. For example, an
inspection is due at 30,000 km or three months, whichever occurs first. Non-safety-
related maintenance items such as oil changes and tune-ups can be included in the
schedule. An annual or semi-annual safety inspection can also be part of the written
schedule.
Each operator must review the regulations to see which requirements apply to them,
and should draft their maintenance and inspection program accordingly.
An operator must maintain a copy of their maintenance program at their principal place
of business or at another terminal or business address specified by them.
It is the operator’s responsibility to ensure that:
▪ Commercial vehicles are inspected according to all provincial regulations, and are
maintained in safe operating condition.
▪ Employees understand the maintenance program requirements that apply to them.
▪ The program is fully implemented.
▪ All vehicle files are maintained as specified by Section 16 of HTA Regulation
199/07 (Commercial Motor Vehicle Inspections).
▪ The maintenance records required by Section 16 of HTA Regulation 199/07 are
retained for two years, or six months after the vehicle ceases to be used by the
operator.
▪ Processes are in place to monitor the effectiveness of the maintenance program.
Preventive Maintenance, Record Keeping and Vehicle Files – September 2022 140
Vehicle Inspections
Commercial motor vehicles are subject to a number of inspections and record-keeping
requirements. The next sections of this module outline the requirements, frequency and
record-keeping for the following:

Daily inspection – HTA Regulation 199/07 (Commercial Motor Vehicle
Inspections)

Annual inspections – HTA Regulation 611 (Safety Inspections)

Semi-annual inspections (buses, accessible vehicles and school purposes
vehicles) – HTA Regulation 611 (Safety Inspections)

CVSA inspections

Safety Standard Certificates – HTA Regulation 611 (Safety Inspections)

Bus inspections
Preventive Maintenance, Record Keeping and Vehicle Files – September 2022 141
Daily Inspections
Purpose
The purpose of the daily vehicle inspection is to ensure that problems and defects have
been identified before the vehicle is operated on the highway. Inspections prevent the
operation of a vehicle with problems that are likely to cause or contribute to the severity
of an accident.
Brief Overview of Daily Inspection Program

Driver conducts an inspection of a vehicle or vehicles before operating them.

The inspection is conducted with the use of a schedule listing the vehicle
components and systems that require inspection.

Driver completes a report of the inspection.

The inspection and report are valid for 24 hours.

Driver carries the inspection schedule and report in the vehicle.

Driver also records on the report any defects found while en route and at the end
of the trip or day.

Driver reports defects to the operator at the time they are discovered; the operator
must repair the defect immediately, or before the next dispatch, and keep records
of repair.
Vehicles That Require Daily Inspection

Trucks, mobile equipment vehicles, trailers and converter dollies that, on their
own or in combination, have a total gross weight or registered gross weight
exceeding 4,500 kilograms

As of January 1, 2023, tow trucks, regardless of registered gross weight or actual
weight

Buses designed to transport 10 or more passengers, and any trailer towed by one
of these vehicles
▪ Inter-city bus commonly known as a motor coach that has,
o Motive power mounted to the rear of the front axle,
o Air-ride or torsion bar suspension,
Preventive Maintenance, Record Keeping and Vehicle Files – September 2022 142
o A baggage area that is separate from the passenger cabin, and
o A passenger cabin with reclining seats for passengers.

Accessible buses modified to be used to transport persons with disabilities, if not
being used for personal purposes only; and every trailer towed by one of these
vehicles

School purposes vehicles and buses operating under contract with a school
board or other authority in charge of a school, and being used for the transportation
of six or more children or adults with a developmental disability.
Vehicles Exempt from Daily Inspection
General Vehicles

A truck with a combined registered gross weight and actual weight of 4,500
kilograms or less, whether towing a trailer or not )
o As of January 1, 2023, all tow trucks regardless of weight will be required
to complete a Daily Inspection.

A personal-use pickup truck or bus

A truck or bus leased for personal use only by an individual for 30 days or less

A commercial motor vehicle that is being road-tested, for the purposes of repairs,
within 30 kilometres of a facility where the vehicle is being repaired by an
automotive service technician or a truck and coach technician who hold valid
certification under the Apprenticeship and Certification Act, 1998, or by an
apprentice under that Act

An empty truck or bus operated under the authority of a dealer plate or service
plate

A historic vehicle (with permit)

An ambulance, fire vehicle, cardiac-arrest emergency vehicle, hearse, casket
wagon and tow truck

An emergency vehicle with towed trailer while responding to or returning from an
emergency

A truck and towed trailer providing relief from an earthquake, flood, fire, famine,
drought, epidemic, pestilence or other disaster by transporting passengers or
goods
Preventive Maintenance, Record Keeping and Vehicle Files – September 2022 143

A trailer converter dolly that is not carrying a trailer

A road-building machine

A bus and towed trailer that is operated by, or on behalf of, a municipality as part
of a public transit service, either within the municipality or within 25 km of its
boundary
Recreational Vehicles

A motor home and pickup truck with the camper installed, including any type of
trailer or vehicle towed by the motor home or truck camper

A truck, regardless of size and weight, that is towing a house trailer being used for
personal purposes

A house trailer being used for personal purposes

A car tow dolly.
Farm Vehicles

A two- or three-axle truck or tractor, not drawing a trailer, that is mainly used to
transport primary products of a farm, forest, sea or lake, which are produced or
harvested by the driver or the driver’s employer (includes farm-plated trucks);
primary products including fruit, vegetables, livestock, horses and poultry

A self-propelled implement of husbandry, farm tractor or any towed farm
equipment

Farm equipment towed by a commercial motor vehicle.
Preventive Maintenance, Record Keeping and Vehicle Files – September 2022 144
Inspection Required by Driver or Other Person
Drivers are not permitted to operate a commercial motor vehicle or bus, or tow a trailer
unless the driver or another person has conducted an inspection of the vehicle(s) within
the previous 24 hours.
In addition to the initial inspection – whether conducted by the driver or not – the driver
is required to monitor the condition of the vehicle(s) for defects while en route.
Other people, such as another driver, maintenance or yard staff, are also permitted to
conduct inspections. They must sign the report, and are responsible under the law for
the inspection and the information contained in it.
In order for the driver to utilize an inspection done by another individual, the driver must
sign the inspection report. The driver may rely on such inspections as proof that the
inspection was conducted as required and produce the report for an officer, unless the
driver has reason to believe that the inspection and report do not meet the
requirements, or the driver is aware or ought to be aware that the vehicle has a defect.
If the driver has doubts about the inspection and report, they should complete a new
inspection of the vehicle.
Note: Only the driver is referenced as the inspection person throughout the remainder
of this document.
Inspection Procedures:
Drivers may choose an inspection procedure (circle procedure or walk-around) that best
suits the vehicle and its location. You may inspect vehicle components in any order that
you choose, as long as each item on the inspection schedule is inspected. The defects
that are discovered must be recorded on the inspection report, and the operator notified
about the defects. Drivers are also required to carry and produce an inspection
schedule based on the vehicle, as well as a corresponding valid inspection report.
Preventive Maintenance, Record Keeping and Vehicle Files – September 2022 145
Daily Inspection Schedules
Application of Inspection Schedule
Sample inspection schedules are available in Appendix A of this module.
HTA Regulation 199/07 has six inspections schedules; drivers are to use the schedule
that is based on the type of commercial motor vehicle being operated. The schedules
outline the inspection criteria, and identify if a defect is “minor” or “major.” The way a
driver handles a vehicle defect will differ, depending on whether it is a minor defect or a
major defect.
If a driver finds no defect on the vehicle, as defined in the inspection schedule, then “no
defect” is recorded, and the inspection is valid for 24 hours.
If a driver finds a minor defect on the vehicle, as defined in the inspection schedule, the
defect must be recorded and reported to the operator as soon as possible. The
operator is required to repair any defects that do not meet the performance standards.
The inspection is valid for 24 hours.
If a driver finds a major defect on the vehicle, as defined in the inspection schedule, the
vehicle cannot be operated. The driver must record the defect, report it to the operator
immediately, and the vehicle must be repaired prior to operation.
Ontario’s Six Daily Inspection Schedules
▪ Schedule 1 is used to inspect a truck, tractor and towed trailer. A converter dolly is
inspected as part of the trailer it is carrying. The dolly must be inspected again when
carrying a different trailer.
▪ Schedule 2 is used to inspect a bus (other than a school purposes bus), inter-city bus,
accessible bus and towed trailer. Schedule 2 continues to apply when one of these
vehicles is being used for school charter trips. Schedule 2 is also used to inspect any
trailer towed by a bus, school bus, school purposes bus or school purposes vehicle.
▪ An inter-city bus may be inspected using Schedule 2 only, or may be inspected using
Schedules 3 and 4 in combination with each other.
▪ Schedule 5 is used to inspect a yellow school bus, school purposes bus and school
purposes accessible bus.
o This applies even when a school bus is used for non-school purposes (for
example, carrying adults or children to festivals, sporting events, church
functions and so on).
o A bus is considered to be for school purposes if it has been operated by the
current operator, under contract with a school board or other authority in
Preventive Maintenance, Record Keeping and Vehicle Files – September 2022 146
charge of a school, for school service or school charters.
▪ Schedule 6 is used to inspect a school purposes vehicle (van or station wagon). A
daily inspection is required only when one of these vehicles is operating under contract
with a school board or other authority in charge of a school, and is being used for the
transportation of six or more children, six or more adults with a developmental
disability, or six or more persons from both categories.
Under-Vehicle Inspections (Schedule 4)
If an inter-city bus is inspected using Schedule 3, then a Schedule 4 under-vehicle
inspection must be completed every 12,000 km or 30 days, whichever comes last.
These inspections are conducted by technicians who hold a valid certificate of
qualification as a truck and coach technician.
The inspection requires a detailed examination of the under-vehicle components and
systems of the bus. Schedule 4 inspections are conducted while the bus is positioned
over a pit, or raised in a manner that provides adequate access to all of the applicable
under-vehicle components.
Technicians are required to sign the Schedule 4 inspection report certifying that the
components and systems inspected under Schedule 4 meet the prescribed standards
on the date of inspection.
Carry and Produce Schedules
Drivers are required to carry and produce the inspection schedule upon request by an
officer.
The schedule and inspection report may be combined in the same document. If more
than one schedule is used for the commercial vehicle, then all relevant schedules must
be carried by the driver. (For example, a motor coach towing a trailer may have
schedules 3 and 4 for the inter-city bus and Schedule 2 for the trailer.)
Where to Get Inspection Schedules
Operators are required to supply drivers with a copy of the inspection schedule.
Regulated schedules are provided in the appendix of this module, and may be copied or
reproduced without consent of the ministry.
Schedules 1, 2, 3 and 4 of National Safety Code Standard 13, published by the
Canadian Council of Transport Administrators (CCMTA), is also acceptable in Ontario,
including when produced by the operator of an Ontario-plated commercial motor
vehicle. School buses and school purposes vehicles must be inspected using
Schedules 5 and 6, respectively, of HTA Regulation 199/07. CCMTA Schedules can be
found on CCMTA’s website.
Preventive Maintenance, Record Keeping and Vehicle Files – September 2022 147
Operators may add additional sections that contain more inspection components and
systems to a schedule. Inspection items within sections that have been added by the
operator, and are not part of the regulated inspection items, are not required to be
inspected, recorded or reported as defects. Operators may require drivers to inspect,
record and report these added defects or conditions.
If a vehicle is not fitted with a system or component (for example, air brakes), then the
entire section can be deleted. Section numbers may be deleted or re-numbered.
However, individually regulated inspection items within a section, such as “audible air
leak” cannot be removed unless the entire section is deleted, and the vehicle does not
have air brakes. Also, individually regulated inspection items cannot be moved between
minor and major columns within a schedule, or be reworded.
Operators are permitted to regroup the minor and major defect columns, provided the
regrouping does not confuse the reader. Operators are free to add defect codes within
the columns of a schedule. A code number or letter is placed beside a component or
system on a schedule. When a defect is found, the driver can enter the defect code on
the inspection report, instead of handwriting the details. When defect codes are added
to a schedule and used by a driver, a coded schedule must be presented to the
enforcement officer.
See the appendices at the end of this module for a sample of acceptable
inspection schedules.
Preventive Maintenance, Record Keeping and Vehicle Files – September 2022 148
Daily Inspection Reports
Sample inspection reports are available in Appendix B of this module.
Inspection reports serve as communication between drivers, the operator and the
operator’s maintenance department. Reports are used to verify inspections, record
defects, report defects and may be used to verify repairs. Reports are completed
immediately following an inspection.
Types of Daily Inspection Reports

Single-day sheet report – a report can consist of a single sheet of paper
containing one day’s information. This type of report can be located at the back
of an hours of service logbook or in a snap set where one report is removed for
each day and so on.

Multi-day report book – this contains lines for each day that the vehicle is
inspected. The book is assigned to one vehicle, and may remain in the vehicle
until the book is full. The basic vehicle information is written once on the front
cover or elsewhere within the book. The book may also contain the vehicle’s
inspection schedule.
The information provided about inspection reports applies to both types of reports,
unless the report type is specifically named.
Completing Daily Inspection Reports
The driver is required to fill out and sign a report upon completion of the inspection.
Bus drivers are required to fill out and sign a report upon completion of the inspection,
regardless of the distance to be travelled and whether or not passengers are carried.
If the driver did not conduct the original inspection, the driver and each subsequent
driver must sign the report. Reports that are used by more than one driver require
additional lines for subsequent signatures.
Any number of trailers may be inspected and added to a single report if the report
contains additional lines for additional trailers.
All information required on a report must be accurate and complete.
Preventive Maintenance, Record Keeping and Vehicle Files – September 2022 149
Validity Period of Daily Inspection Reports
▪ A report certifying schedules 1, 2, 3, 5 or 6 inspections are valid for 24 hours from
the time of inspection.
▪ A Schedule 3 inspection must be accompanied by a Schedule 4 under-vehicle
inspection report.
o A report completed and certified by a technician for a Schedule 4 under-
vehicle inspection is valid to the end of the 30th day after the day of
inspection, or for 12,000 km, whichever comes last.
Carry and Produce Daily Inspection Reports
Drivers must carry and produce valid inspection reports upon request of an officer.
▪ Drivers who are towing a trailer must record the information for the power unit and
the trailer on one report, or carry two inspection reports – one for the vehicle and
one for the trailer.
▪ The driver of an inter-city bus that has been inspected under Schedule 3, combined
with Schedule 4, must carry and produce a report for both inspections. Completed
Schedule 4 inspection reports are supplied by the operator who receives the report
from the technician.
▪ When an inter-city bus has been inspected under Schedule 3, combined with
Schedule 4, but the Schedule 4 under-vehicle inspection has expired and a new
Schedule 4 inspection cannot be completed, the bus must be inspected under
Schedule 2. In this case, a copy of Schedule 2 must be carried and produced.
Submitting Daily Inspection Reports to the Operator
Single Daily Inspection Reports
Expired reports must be forwarded to the operator as soon as possible, but no later than
20 days after the date of inspection.
Reports must be forwarded to the operator’s principal place of business, or to a terminal
or business address specified by the operator.
Daily Inspection Report Books
Report books that are full, or have passed the operator’s pre-determined end-date or
use period, must be forwarded to the operator’s principal place of business, or to a
terminal or business address specified by the operator.
Preventive Maintenance, Record Keeping and Vehicle Files – September 2022 150
Note: If the daily inspection reports are contained in a book that is kept in the
commercial motor vehicle, and the operator has regular access to the vehicle, the
reports are deemed to be submitted when they are in the truck, bus or school purposes
vehicle, and do not have to be forwarded to the office within the 20-day timeframe.
Where to Get Daily Inspection Reports
▪ Operators are required to supply drivers with the appropriate reports
Handing Over Valid Daily Inspection Reports to Another Driver
▪ A driver may hand over a valid original copy of a daily inspection report to another
driver who is driving for the same operator. The second driver is obligated to submit
the report to the operator.
▪ A driver may hand over a duplicate copy of the original inspection report or a hand-
written reproduction to a driver working for a different operator. In this case, each
driver must submit a report to their respective operators.
▪ There is no legal obligation under the HTA for a driver to hand over a report to
another driver, whether or not they drive for the same operator. However, there may
be a contractual or an employment-law obligation to pass along a report to another
driver.
▪ A driver who receives a valid daily or under-vehicle report for a vehicle that was
inspected by another person may rely on the report as proof that the inspection was
conducted as required, unless the driver has reason to believe otherwise. The
report is valid, provided the current driver has signed the inspection report.
Contents of Daily Inspection Reports
Both single reports and report books must contain the following minimum line items:

Licence-plate number and plate jurisdiction of the vehicle

Operator’s name

Date and time of the inspection

City, town, village or highway location where the inspection was conducted

Printed name of the person who conducted the inspection

Odometer reading of the commercial motor vehicle

List of major and minor defects found during the inspection, if any
Preventive Maintenance, Record Keeping and Vehicle Files – September 2022 151

A statement that no major or minor defects were found, if none

Major and minor defects found while en route

A statement, signed by the person who conducted the inspection, that the vehicle
was inspected in accordance with this regulation

Signature of any driver of the vehicle who did not conduct the initial inspection
Line-item language may be altered to a “like meaning.” Any altered language must
continue to indicate what the completed information means. Operators are free to add
and re-arrange line items.
The Ministry of Transportation does not approve blank inspection reports for operators.
The operator is required to purchase or create a report that complies with the
requirements of Section 7 of Regulation 199/07, Daily Inspection Report.
Operators can combine daily inspection reports with schedules, and they can be on the
same document. Single reports may also be combined with hours of service logbooks,
as long as all line items for both requirements are included. Here are two examples:
Example 1
▪ The daily inspection report requires a line item for the odometer reading. The
logbook requires the driver to record the odometer readings at the start and end
of the shift/trip. Also, if the driver uses the vehicle for personal transportation to a
place of lodging or so on during the trip, there is a requirement to enter the start
and finish odometer readings for this personal distance travelled.
▪ Therefore, a combined daily report and logbook may require five different
odometer line items representing five readings, if the daily inspection were
conducted at a different distance from when the driver started the trip and the
vehicle was used for personal purposes during the trip.
▪ If a vehicle is never used for personal purposes during a trip, it is not necessary
to have these odometer line items on either a logbook report or a combined daily
report.
Example 2
If the vehicle is always inspected at the same starting location as the driver’s trip or shift,
a check box may be used to indicate that the odometer reading applies to the inspection
reading, as well as the driver’s start reading.
▪ Odometer reading, start of driver’s day and at time of inspection (enter value)
Preventive Maintenance, Record Keeping and Vehicle Files – September 2022 152
Sample Daily Inspection Reports
Inspection-report formats and layouts are not prescribed by regulation. The regulation
sets out a minimum of information to be recorded on a report.
Reports may, at the option of the operator:
▪ Contain an inspection checklist and additional information
▪ Single reports may be printed at the back of hours of service logbooks
▪ Information may be permanently printed on the reports when it does not change
(for example, operator’s name, plate number and so on)
▪ Reports may also be printed with the vehicle’s inspection schedule(s).
▪ Reports other than report books may be produced in carbon or carbonless sets
that automatically create extra copies when the top page is completed. Some
operators may prefer to use multi-copied reports for internal distribution
purposes. Also, valid legible copies of these reports may be passed on to the
next driver of a vehicle, while the person who inspected the vehicle retains the
original.
Many variations of a report are possible, depending on the operation of the vehicles and
inspection personnel. Operators are free to create a report that best meets the needs of
their operation.
In the following samples, “Signature of each driver who was not the inspection person”
may be removed if the vehicle is inspected by the driver and not driven by a second
driver.
See the appendices at the end of this module for samples.
Preventive Maintenance, Record Keeping and Vehicle Files – September 2022 153
Certification of Repairs
Ontario operators may include a “certification of repairs” section on inspection reports to
track defects and repairs.
When a report lists a defect, and the defect was repaired without the operator creating a
separate repair order, the repair and any parts used must be noted on the report. In this
case, the report becomes a maintenance record and must be retained for two years.
This applies whether or not the report contains a separate “certification of repairs”
section.
Samples may be found in the appendices at the end of this module.
Daily Inspection Report Books Kept in the Vehicle
Report books kept in the vehicle may only be used for a vehicle that returns at the end
of the day to a location where the operator has access to the vehicle and the book. The
operator must be able to produce the book upon an officer’s request. Also, defects
written in the book must be reported to the operator verbally, by telephone or other
means when the book is not handed into the operator.
A report book must be carried, and produced upon the request of an officer. If the
inspection schedule is not contained within the book, the driver is required to carry and
produce the applicable schedule.
The following information must be printed somewhere on or in the book;
▪ Operator’s name
▪ Licence-plate number
▪ Plate jurisdiction of the vehicle
Sample optional information items that may be printed somewhere on or in the book:
▪ Unit number
▪ Vehicle identification number
▪ Make of vehicle
▪ Year of vehicle
▪ Period covered
See the appendices at the back of this module for samples.
Preventive Maintenance, Record Keeping and Vehicle Files – September 2022 154
Vehicle Defects
Recording Defects
The driver is required to record a defect on the report immediately after the initial
inspection, upon discovery of a defect while travelling (at the first opportunity when
vehicle is stopped and parked safely off the highway), or when discovered at the end of
a trip or day.
Reporting Defects
For the purposes of reporting defects, the operator may designate an employee to
receive them.
Minor and major defects, which are listed in a schedule, must be reported to the
operator immediately upon discovery by the driver or inspection person.
Depending upon the driver’s situation, reporting to the operator may be done in person,
by phone, via written report or by electronic means.
Driving with Defects
A driver may continue to drive with a minor defect that is listed on an inspection
schedule if the defect has been entered immediately on the daily inspection report and
reported to the operator.
It is a defence for a driver, if charged with a defect under another part of the HTA, when
that defect is also listed on the vehicle’s inspection schedule. This defence applies only
if the driver has found, recorded and reported the defect to the operator prior to an
examination of the vehicle by an officer.
It is important to note that, while the driver has a defence for driving with a minor
defect listed on a schedule, the operator can be charged (e.g. the driver
repeatedly notes the defect, but repairs are not completed by the operator).
Preventive Maintenance, Record Keeping and Vehicle Files – September 2022 155
Use of Electronic Devices and Documents
Daily inspection reports and under-vehicle reports, results of an inspection, and
inspection schedules may be kept in an electronic recording device.
When requested by an officer, the driver is required to produce, at the driver’s option,
either:
▪ An electronic display of the report or schedule that is readable from outside the
vehicle by the officer
▪ A printed copy of the report or schedule signed by the driver after printing
▪ A handwritten copy of the report or schedule signed by the driver
Note:
▪ The electronic display is not required to have a signature.
▪ An officer may, at his or her discretion, enter a vehicle to read the screen of an in-
cab, permanently attached device.
Vehicle maintenance, repair records and documents may also be kept in electronic
format, provided that the operator or a person designated by the operator prints and
signs a copy of a report or document when requested by an officer.
Daily Inspection Report Retention Period and Location
Inspection reports and notices issued by an officer are to be stored at the operator’s
principal place of business, or at a terminal or business address specified by the
operator.
Daily inspection reports are to be kept for at least six months. However, if it is also used
to record a repair or work done on the vehicle, it is deemed to be a “maintenance
report,” and must be retained for at least two years, or six months after the vehicle
ceases to be the operator’s responsibility.
Preventive Maintenance, Record Keeping and Vehicle Files – September 2022 156
Out-of-Province and US Vehicles
Out-of-Province Canadian Vehicles
Vehicles plated in a province or territory other than Ontario may operate in Ontario if the
vehicle(s) were inspected and an inspection report completed, in accordance with the
daily inspection requirements of:
▪ The province or territory in which the vehicle is base plated
▪ National Safety Code Standard 13
▪ Ontario HTA Regulation 199/07, as detailed in this module
This applies regardless of the distance to be travelled in Ontario, and whether or not
inspection rules apply or the vehicle is exempt in its home province or territory.
This also applies to out-of-province plated vehicles that are driven by Ontario licensed
drivers who drive the vehicle only within Ontario.
US Trucks, Trailers and Buses Operating in Ontario
Trucks or buses bearing US plates may operate in Ontario if the vehicle(s) were
inspected, and a daily inspection report completed, in accordance with the daily
inspection requirements of the US, or any province including Ontario, or in accordance
with National Safety Code Standard 13, as of May 2008, which is published by the
Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators.
Where a daily inspection was completed in accordance with US requirements, the driver
must carry and produce a daily inspection report that is not more than 24 hours old.
Where a driver does not have access to the vehicle’s daily inspection report, an
inspection must be conducted in accordance with Ontario rules. The driver must carry a
US report that complies with US requirements and that is not more than 24 hours old, or
complete an inspection report that complies with HTA Regulation 199/07 in Ontario.
NOTE: In the US, drivers are not required to do a trip inspection report if no defects are
found during an inspection. This does not allow them to come to Ontario without a trip
inspection report. If no report is completed in the US, then a driver must complete a
report in compliance with Ontario regulations, NSC Standard 13 or another province in
order to be in compliance in Ontario.
Ontario Trucks and Trailers and Buses Travelling in the US
Ontario daily inspections and daily inspection reports are acceptable in the US
Preventive Maintenance, Record Keeping and Vehicle Files – September 2022 157
Periodic Mandatory Commercial Motor Vehicle Inspection (PMVI)
Periodic inspections are required for commercial motor vehicles, trailers and converter
dollies, in order to reduce accidents due to mechanical defects and improve highway
safety throughout Canada. The annual and semi-annual inspection requirements are
the minimum under the law. Operators may find that, in order to properly maintain
their vehicle’s on-road standards, additional inspections and maintenance are
required.

As of January 1, 2023, all tow trucks, regardless of registered gross weight or
actual weight, will be required to complete a periodic inspections.
Brief Overview of the Periodic Commercial Motor Vehicle Inspections
▪ In Ontario, annual, semi-annual and safety-standards certificate inspections must
be completed by a licensed motor vehicle inspection mechanic at an MTO-
licensed inspection station.
▪ Trucks, mobile equipment vehicles, trailers and converter dollies require one
inspection per year; an annual inspection is valid for 12 months.
▪ Buses, school purposes vehicles used for transporting six or more persons, and
accessible vehicles require two inspections per year; a semi-annual inspection is
valid for six months.
▪ If a vehicle meets all of the requirements of an annual or semi-annual inspection,
a corresponding sticker is applied to the vehicle, and a certificate and report is
issued by the inspecting station.
▪ Safety standards certificates are required for: registering a rebuilt motor vehicle;
transferring a used motor vehicle to a new owner as fit; registering a motor
vehicle in Ontario that was previously registered in another province or country;
and changing the status of a vehicle from unfit to fit.
▪ If a vehicle meets all of the requirements of a safety-standards certificate
Inspection, the certificate is issued, and the vehicle is deemed fit.
Out-of-Province Considerations
The legislation regarding periodic mandatory inspections varies between jurisdictions.
Ontario’s inspections are accepted in other jurisdictions, and Ontario accepts
inspections from other jurisdictions – provided they are recognized as meeting a similar
standard.
However, the length of time that the inspection is valid varies between jurisdictions.
Operators should check with the requirements of all the jurisdictions in which they
Preventive Maintenance, Record Keeping and Vehicle Files – September 2022 158
intend to operate prior to doing business there.
Vehicles that are Subject to Periodic Mandatory Inspections
Annual Inspection:
▪ Trucks, mobile equipment vehicles, trailers and converter dollies alone, or in
combination, with a total gross weight, registered gross weight or manufacturer’s
GVWR exceeding 4,500 kilograms
▪ As of January 1, 2023, Tow Trucks regardless of registered gross weight or actual
weight
“Truck” includes, but is not limited to, truck tractors, straight trucks, pickup trucks, curb
side/cube vans, trade vans/panel trucks.
“Trailer” includes, but is not limited to, boat, snowmobile, livestock and general-
purpose utility trailers. “Trailer” does not include devices such as tar pots, portable
welders, cement mixers, compressors and farm implements such as wagons and so on.
“Mobile equipment Vehicle” means: (1) a mobile crane that is not built on a truck
chassis, but not an off-road mobile crane, (2) an excavator that is not built on a truck
chassis, but not an off-road excavator, (3) a street sweeper that is not built on a truck
chassis, but not a low-speed street sweeper.
Semi-Annual Inspection:
▪ Buses designed to transport 10 or more passengers, excluding those with a
manufacturer’s gross vehicle weight rating of 4,500 kg or less, used exclusively
for personal use
▪ Accessible vehicles modified for the purpose of transporting people with
disabilities, excluding those used only for personal purposes
▪ School purposes vehicles, operating under contract with a school board or
other authority in charge of a school, being used for the transportation of six or
more children or adults with a developmental disability
“Bus” includes, but is not limited to, any vehicle designed to transport 10 or more
passengers, excluding the driver (for example, passenger van, limousine, motor coach,
school bus and so on).
“Accessible vehicle” includes, but is not limited to, any vehicle that has been modified
for transporting people with disabilities, whether or not the vehicle is also used for
transporting those without disabilities (for example, a minivan, passenger van or taxi
that has been modified for accessibility).
Preventive Maintenance, Record Keeping and Vehicle Files – September 2022 159
“School purposes vehicle” includes, but is not limited to, any vehicle operating under
contract with a school board or other authority in charge of a school for the
transportation of six or more children or adults with a developmental disability.
Preventive Maintenance, Record Keeping and Vehicle Files – September 2022 160
Vehicles That Do Not Require Annual or Semi-Annual Inspections

A motor vehicle commonly known as a recreational vehicle or a motor home, as
long as it is not:
o Carrying commercial cargo or tools or equipment of a type normally used
for commercial purposes
o Carrying animals or non-commercial tools, equipment or vehicles that
occupy one-half or more of its floor space

A house trailer, except for a house trailer that is:
o Owned or leased by an employer to house the employer’s employee
o Carrying commercial cargo, tools or equipment of a type normally used for
commercial purposes
o Carrying animals or non-commercial tools, equipment or vehicles that
occupy one-half or more of its floor space
Note: A “house trailer” includes a cabin trailer, collapsible cabin trailer, tent
trailer and camping trailer.

Devices such as tar pots, portable welders, cement mixers, compressors and farm
implements, such as wagons.

A bus with a GVWR of 4,500 kilograms or less used exclusively for personal
purposes.

An empty commercial vehicle operated by a manufacturer or vehicle dealer who
has obtained a “special permit” for a 10-day period, or has a dealer or service plate
as per the requirements under the HTA Regulation 628 (Vehicle Permits).

Any unladen commercial motor vehicle or trailer operated under the authority of a
service plate.

Any laden commercial motor vehicle or trailer operated under the authority of a
service plate being transported to an impound facility.

A personal use pickup truck and any trailer drawn by the pickup truck if:

The pickup truck has a manufacturer’s Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of 6,500
kg or less; and

The pickup truck is fitted with either the original, unmodified box that was
installed by the manufacturer or an unmodified replacement box that duplicates
Preventive Maintenance, Record Keeping and Vehicle Files – September 2022 161
the one originally installed by the manufacturer; and

The pickup truck and trailer are being used for personal use without
compensation; and

The pickup truck and trailer are not carrying commercial tools or cargo, or
equipment of a type normally used for commercial purposes
Inspection Criteria
Ontario – along with most Canadian jurisdictions – has adopted the National Safety
Code 11, Part B, Periodic Commercial Motor Vehicle Inspections (NSC 11B), as the
inspection criteria for annual, semi-annual and safety standards certificate inspections
for commercial vehicles, school purposes vehicles and accessible vehicles.
HTA Regulation 611 (Safety Inspections) contains the requirements for annual, semi-
annual and safety standard certificates, along with modifications to the NSC 11B.
Each page of the National Standard is divided into two sections: the left side of the page
lists the item and method of inspection; and the right side lists the corresponding
rejection (pass/fail) criteria. Each part is organized into sections of the vehicle:

Power Train

Suspension

Hydraulic Brakes
3a. Air Brakes

Steering

Instruments and Auxiliary Equipment

Lamps

Electrical System

Body

Tires and Wheels

Couplers and Hitches
The National Standard identifies “hazardous conditions” for each section. Hazardous
conditions shown in the National Standard are more serious vehicle conditions. In some
provinces, inspection stations are authorized to take certain action to prevent the
Preventive Maintenance, Record Keeping and Vehicle Files – September 2022 162
vehicle from returning to service until such conditions are repaired. These conditions
have no unique status in Ontario.
A copy of the National Standard can be downloaded from the CCMTA website
(Standard 11 Part B “Periodic Commercial Motor Vehicle Inspections”)
Preventive Maintenance, Record Keeping and Vehicle Files – September 2022 163
Ontario’s Modifications to the National Standard:
HTA Regulation 611 (Safety Inspections) Schedule 3 lists the modifications to the
National Standard that must be applied in Ontario.
While the province has adopted NSC 11B 2015 in almost its entirety, there are four
areas where the provincial rule deviates from the national standard:

The limitations on window tinting will only apply to vehicles manufactured on or
after July 1, 2011 whereas the national standard has them applying retroactively.

The limitations on the size of an external sun visor will not apply to any vehicles
in Ontario.

ABS requirements only apply to vehicles manufactured on or after April 1, 2000.

Limited Brake Inspections:

A limited inspection of a drum brake is an inspection through inspection
holes and involves no measurement of the shoe lining

A limited inspection of a disc brake involves no measurement of a rotor or
brake pad
Use and Application of PMVI Inspection Stickers
For trucks, mobile equipment vehicles, trailers and converter dollies:
Preventive Maintenance, Record Keeping and Vehicle Files – September 2022 164
For buses, accessible vehicles and school purposes vehicles:
Once the vehicle has passed inspection at a Motor Vehicle Inspection Station, the
corresponding sticker must be applied to the vehicle to identify its successful completion
and the expiry date. The inspection station must also provide inspection certificates and
reports. The process is outlined below based on vehicle type.
Truck, Mobile Equipment Vehicle, Trailer and Converter Dolly

Annual inspection must be completed as per the requirements in NSC 11B and
HTA Regulation 611.

A yellow annual inspection sticker is applied to the lower left-hand side of the
windshield, or a conspicuous position on the left side of the truck cab, indicating
the month and year the inspection was completed.

All previous inspection stickers are covered or removed.

The inspection is valid for 12 months.

MVIS licensee must provide the owner/operator with a copy of the annual
inspection certificate and the annual inspection report (see Record-Keeping for
more details).
Buses, Accessible Vehicles and School Purposes Vehicles

Semi-annual inspections must be completed as per the requirements in NSC 11B
and HTA Regulation 611.

An orange semi-annual inspection sticker is applied to the lower right hand
corner of the windshield, on a fixed side window as close as practicable to the
front of the vehicle, or a to a conspicuous position on the right side of the vehicle
body close to the front of the vehicle.

All previous inspection stickers must be covered or removed.
Preventive Maintenance, Record Keeping and Vehicle Files – September 2022 165

The semi-annual inspection sticker is valid for six months.

Motor Vehicle Inspection Station (MVIS) licensee must provide the operator with
a copy of the semi-annual inspection certificate and the semi-annual inspection
report (see Record-Keeping for more details).
PMVI Record-Keeping
The following records are to be kept for a period of one year after the date of inspection
for Motor Vehicle Inspection Stations, and two years after the date of inspection for the
operator:

Annual and semi-annual inspection certificates are produced in triplicate: one
copy is to be kept with the vehicle; one copy for the vehicle file/operator; and one
copy for the inspection station.

Inspection Record – required for safety-standards certificates. One copy is to be
kept by the MVIS; these reports must identify the vehicle inspected, a list of
defects, recommended repairs and actual repairs.

An Annual Inspection Report or Semi-Annual Inspection Report is required for
annual and semi-annual inspections. Two copies are required: one to be kept by
the MVIS; and one is provided to the owner/operator of the vehicle. These
reports must contain:
o Signature of mechanic and licensee
o Date of inspection
o Vehicle identification number
o Annual or semi-annual inspection number
o Information and measurements as required by the National Standard
o List of defects, recommended repairs and actual repairs

If applicable, there must be the proof-of-brake inspection document provided by
the vehicle owner/operator confirming that an inspection has been completed by a
MVIS-licensed mechanic within the timeline proscribed in the standard based on
vehicle type and brake type. This is only required if the Limited Brake Inspection
is completed as per Section 3 of NSC 11B.
Licensees may create their own Inspection Report, provided all of the requirements
outlined in HTA Regulation 601 are met.
Preventive Maintenance, Record Keeping and Vehicle Files – September 2022 166
Inspection reports must be retained by a MVIS for a period of one year after the date of
inspection; MTO accepts paper or electronic versions of the reports.
Other Vehicle Inspections
Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) Inspections
CVSA inspections are conducted by CVSA-certified MTO inspectors on vehicles and
drivers at roadside or at the operator’s premises. These inspections may also be
performed by members of the OPP, city and municipal law-enforcement personnel who
are certified as CVSA inspectors, and by designated staff from MTO’s Commercial
Safety and Compliance Branch.
The inspections are conducted in accordance with the criteria outlined by the CVSA on
the roadside, or by arrangement with the operator at theirs or other designated
premises. Some inspections are initiated by CVSA inspectors in response to
complaints about the condition of the operator’s vehicle or vehicles. Bus inspections
are arranged as part of the ministry’s Bus Information Tracking System program.
Operators are encouraged to take a proactive approach toward vehicle maintenance.
Remember that CVSA inspection reports can be used to gauge the effectiveness of the
operator’s preventive-maintenance program.
Levels of Inspection
There are five levels of inspection used in Ontario:
Level 1 – Complete vehicle inspection with the driver
Level 2 – Driver and vehicle walk-around
Level 3 – Driver-only inspection
Level 4 – Special inspection of one or more components
Level 5 – Complete vehicle inspection without a driver (usually completed at the
operator’s shop or yard)
When there are no violations, the vehicle “passes inspection.” When a vehicle receives
a “pass” in a Level 1 or Level 5 inspection, a CVSA decal is applied.
This decal indicates that the vehicle passed inspection, and is valid for the current
month and the following two months. During this time, further CVSA inspections are not
typically required, unless there is an observed safety concern.
Some defects will result in a violation that requires attention. The driver is given a copy
of the inspection report and is required to submit the report to the operator. The vehicle
must be repaired prior to its next dispatch. The operator may be required to send repair
Preventive Maintenance, Record Keeping and Vehicle Files – September 2022 167
verification to the officer within a specified time period.
When serious defects are found, the vehicle and/or the driver will be placed out of
service. The vehicle and/or the driver will not be allowed back on the road until the out-
of-service items have been addressed adequately. If repairs can be carried out on-site,
the vehicle may be re-inspected and, if in compliance, allowed back in service.
If on-site repairs are not possible, the vehicle cannot be driven but may be towed or
transported to a repair site. Licence plates may be removed when vehicles are in this
condition. In any case, the vehicle must be repaired as required. The operator may be
required to have a complete safety standards certificate inspection conducted to obtain
new plates or the operator may be required to report back to the inspecting officer
confirming that the repair has been done as directed within the specified time period.
An officer may prohibit a driver from operating a commercial motor vehicle for a variety
of reasons, including exceeding the hours of service, as specified by federal or
provincial legislation. The driver may proceed after the necessary rest periods have
been met.
Copies of CVSA inspection reports must be kept in the office vehicle file for a period of
two years.
Specific details on the CVSA inspection program and its out-of-service criteria may be
obtained from:
Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance
6303 Ivy Lane, Suite 310
Greenbelt, MD 20770-6319
Website: www.cvsa.org
Safety Standards Certificates
Safety standards certificates are required when:

registering a rebuilt motor vehicle

transferring a used motor vehicle to a new owner as fit

registering a motor vehicle in Ontario that was previously registered in another
province or country

changing the status of a vehicle from unfit to fit
The National Safety Code Standard 11B inspection criteria will be used for trucks, trailers,
buses, accessible vehicles and school purposes vehicles as described previously.
Vehicles that do not meet these definitions are inspected as per schedules 1 and 2 in
HTA Regulation 611 (Safety Inspections).
Preventive Maintenance, Record Keeping and Vehicle Files – September 2022 168
Bus Inspections
Buses are subject to on-site inspections completed by MTO enforcement officers.
These inspections take place at the origin/destination, or at bus terminals, to ensure that
the vehicles are mechanically fit and that the bus operator has met the legislated
obligations, such as semi-annual inspections. These inspections are scheduled using a
risk-based approach considering factors such as age, size of the fleet and past safety
performance.
Vehicle Record-Keeping
Records to Be Retained
Operators are required to keep the following records for each truck, mobile equipment
vehicle, bus, accessible vehicle, school purposes vehicle, towed trailer and converter
dolly that is subject to the requirements outlined previously:

Identification records for the vehicle, including
o The vehicle’s unit number, if any
o The vehicle’s year and make
o The vehicle’s vehicle identification number
o If the vehicle is not owned by the operator, the name of the person who
supplies it, and the first and last dates when the vehicle was operated by
the current operator

A record of the inspections and maintenance of, and repairs to, the vehicle,
including
o The nature of the inspections, maintenance and repairs
o The name of the person who conducted each inspection and performed
each maintenance or repair
o If an inspection, maintenance or repair were performed by someone other
than the operator or a person employed by the operator, the invoice or other
record provided by that person who performed it
o If a part were purchased and used in maintenance or in a repair, the invoice
or receipt for the part (see note)
o If the vehicle has an odometer, the odometer reading of the vehicle at the
end of the inspection, maintenance or repair
Preventive Maintenance, Record Keeping and Vehicle Files – September 2022 169
Note:

Invoices and receipts for the purchase of bulk parts must be maintained until the
inventory has been depleted, or at least two years has passed, whichever occurs last.

Parts from all purchases, including bulk purchases, must be inventoried out on
repair documents.

It is not a requirement that a repair document shows an invoice or receipt number.

It is not necessary to keep invoices within maintenance files. Invoices may be
maintained within accounts payable, provided the operator can supply the invoices
to an auditor at time of an audit.

The types and frequency must be shown under the operator’s system of periodic
inspections and maintenance.

A record must be kept of any axle or suspension modifications of the vehicle that
affect the manufacturer’s GVWR or gross axle-weight rating.

Copies must be retained of safety-standards certificates, annual inspection
certificates and semi-annual inspection certificates issued for the vehicle, as well
as copies of equivalent documents from other jurisdictions.

Copies must also be kept of inspection notices, reports and appearance notices
issued by an enforcement officer or government official of another jurisdiction.
Retention Period for Records
When a report lists a defect that was repaired without the operator creating a separate
repair order, the repair and any parts used must be noted in the report. In this case, the
report becomes a maintenance record, and must be retained for two years.
This applies whether or not the report contains a separate “certification of repairs”
section.
Retention Location for Records
Records are kept at the operator’s principal place of business, at another terminal, or at
the business address of the operator.
Where a record or document is in electronic format that would allow a printed copy to be
generated, it may be stored at any location, as long as it can be accessed readily by the
operator from the principal place of business.
Preventive Maintenance, Record Keeping and Vehicle Files – September 2022 170
Electronic Records
Any record or document that is required to be created, kept or surrendered may be
done so in electronic format. An electronic record or document does not require a
signature.
Operators who keep records and documents in electronic format must be capable of
printing a copy.
Internal Evaluation of an Operator’s Preventive Maintenance Program
It is recommended that the preventive maintenance program be evaluated periodically
by the operator to ensure that it is effective and that vehicles are kept in safe operating
condition at all times. Several sources of information can be used to measure the
effectiveness of the program.
Results of CVSA inspections measure the effectiveness of daily inspections. Analysis
of CVSA reports, annual inspection reports and carrier profiles may identify the source
of problems, such as the quality of internal inspections, mechanical work and driver
habits.
Some steps may then be taken to fix the source of these problems, by making changes
to the preventive maintenance program, providing additional training, more detailed
monitoring and/or taking disciplinary action. The result will be fewer collisions and less
risk to the driver and the public. Operators will also save money.
The operator’s CVOR Level II Carrier Abstract, which lists all violations, convictions,
CVSA inspections and collisions, can be obtained from the Ontario Ministry of
Transportation.
Preventive Maintenance, Record Keeping and Vehicle Files – September 2022 171
List of Appendices

Schedule 1 of Regulation 199/07 (truck, tractors, trailers and as of January 1, 2023,
tow trucks, regardless of registered gross weight or actual weight)

Schedule 2 of Regulation 199/07 (buses and trailers drawn by buses)

Schedule 3 of Regulation 199/07 (motor coaches)

Schedule 4 of Regulation 199/07 (under vehicle inspection of motor coaches)

Schedule 5 of Regulation 199/07 (school purposes buses)

Schedule 6 of Regulation 199/07 (school purposes vehicles)

Samples of single-day reports and multi-day report books

Sample under-vehicle inspection report

Sample of certificate of repairs
Preventive Maintenance, Record Keeping and Vehicle Files – eptember 2022 172
Appendix A – Daily Inspection Schedules 1 to 6
Copy of Regulated Inspection Schedules, Three Column Format:
The following Schedules are directly from the Regulation and have not been modified.
Please note that section 19 of Part VI of Regulation 199/07 provides “notes to the
schedules”. It is not a requirement that these “notes to the schedules” be included with
or attached to the schedules. Numbers within brackets, i.e. (1), (12) etc. found within the
schedules are a reference to the “notes to the schedules” and are not required to be in
the schedules.
Preventive Maintenance, Record Keeping and Vehicle Files – eptember 2022 173
Schedule 1,
Daily inspection of trucks, tractors and trailers
Preventive Maintenance, Record Keeping and Vehicle Files – eptember 2022 174
Systems and
Components
Minor Defects Major Defects
Part 17. Hydraulic Brake
System
(a) brake fluid level is below
indicated minimum level.
(a) brake boost or power
assist is not operative.
(b) brake fluid leak.
(c) brake pedal fade or
insufficient brake pedal
reserve.
(d) activated (other than ABS)
warning device.
(e) brake fluid reservoir is less
than ¼ full.
Preventive Maintenance, Record Keeping and Vehicle Files – eptember 2022 175
(f) parking brake is
inoperative.
Part 18. Lamps and
Reflectors
(a) required lamp does not
function as intended.8
(b) required reflector is
missing or partially missing.9
When use of lamps is
required:
(a) failure of both low-beam
headlamps.
(b) failure of both rearmost tail
lamps.
At all times:
(a) failure of a rearmost turn-
indicator lamp.
(b) failure of both rearmost
brake lamps.
Part 19. Steering (a) steering wheel lash (free-
play) is greater than normal.
(a) steering wheel is insecure,
or does not respond normally.
(b) steering wheel lash (free-
play) exceeds prescribed
limit.10
Part 20. Suspension
System
(a) air leak in air suspension
system.
(b) a broken spring leaf.
(c) suspension fastener is
loose, missing or broken.
(a) damaged (patched, cut,
bruised, cracked to braid or
deflated) air bag or insecurely
mounted air bag.
(b) cracked or broken main
spring leaf or more than one
broken spring leaf in any
spring assembly.
(c) part of spring leaf or
suspension is missing, shifted
out of place or is in contact
with another vehicle
component.
(d) loose U-bolt.
Preventive Maintenance, Record Keeping and Vehicle Files – eptember 2022 176
Commercial Vehicle Operators’ Safety Manual

Module 9 – Hours of Service

Overview ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 201

Hours of Service – Learning Objectives ……………………………………………………………. 202

Hours of Service ……………………………………………………………………………………………. 203

APPLICATIONS……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 203

EXEMPTIONS …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 203

Basic Requirements ………………………………………………………………………………………. 205

ONTARIO DRIVING LIMITATIONS ………………………………………………………………………………………………… 205

Daily Limits …………………………………………………………………………………………………… 206

Daily Off-Duty Time ……………………………………………………………………………………….. 207

Work-Shift Limits …………………………………………………………………………………………… 209

Driving-Cycles Limits ……………………………………………………………………………………… 212

Logbooks ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 213

REQUIRED INFORMATION …………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 213

GRAPH GRID …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 215

LOGBOOK EXEMPTION …………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 216

ELECTRONIC ON-BOARD RECORDING DEVICE ……………………………………………………………………………… 217

POSSESSION OF LOGS AND SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS ………………………………………………………………….. 218

Record-Keeping ……………………………………………………………………………………………. 220

Operator Responsibilities ……………………………………………………………………………….. 220

PROACTIVE MEASURES …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 220

REACTIVE MEASURES …………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 221

SELF-AUDIT ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 221

REVIEWING HOURS OF SERVICE LOGS ……………………………………………………………………………………….. 222

CORRECTIVE ACTION ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 225

RECORD-KEEPING …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 225

Enforcement and Penalties …………………………………………………………………………….. 226

OUT-OF-SERVICE DECLARATIONS ……………………………………………………………………………………………… 226

Appendix A – Example of a Daily Log Book Record …………………………………………… 227

Hours of Service – September 2022 201

Overview

The Commercial Safety and Compliance Branch of the Ministry of Transportation of

Ontario has prepared this guide to assist and ensure that truck and bus companies

(commercial vehicle operators) operate safely and are compliant with the regulations

that govern highway use. Ontario, other provinces, the Government of Canada and the

transportation industry developed the rules and regulations to help reduce the number

and severity of collisions. Each jurisdiction has used the National Safety Code

standards as guides in drafting their own transportation safety legislation. This approach

promotes uniformity across Canada and helps to ensure that the transportation industry

remains as viable and sustainable as possible.

This guide applies to Ontario operators of commercial motor vehicles that are:

▪ Trucks, tractors, mobile equipment vehicles or trailers and/or any combination of

these vehicles that have a registered gross weight or actual weight of more than

4,500 kilograms

▪ Tow trucks, regardless of registered gross weight or actual weight

▪ Buses with a manufactured seating capacity of 10 persons or more, excluding

the driver

▪ Accessible vehicles and school purposes vehicles, depending upon use

The guide contains several modules, each dealing with a specific topic. To get a

complete picture of compliance requirements, you should obtain the complete guide. If

you intend to use certain parts of this guide only (for example, Module 1, “Getting

Started”) it is recommended that you also obtain the modules “Introduction” and

“Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration.”

This is a guide only and is not meant to be a substitute for the relevant statutes

and regulations. This guide highlights some important legal provisions but is not

an exhaustive description of all the laws that apply.

Hours of Service – September 2022 202

Hours of Service – Learning Objectives

As you work through this module, you will be able to:

✓ Describe the Ontario regulatory requirements related to reducing driver

fatigue, and when each applies.

✓ Identify driving limitations.

✓ Identify the provisions for required rest and deferred rest time.

✓ Understand cycle rules.

✓ Understand the exemptions.

✓ Identify the required information for logbooks and record-keeping

requirements for “local drivers.”

✓ Describe and follow procedures for completing logbooks.

✓ Describe the requirements for electronic on-board recording devices.

✓ Identify the operator’s responsibilities including both proactive and reactive

measures.

✓ Understand enforcement and penalties for operators and drivers.

Hours of Service – September 2022 203

Hours of Service

Hours of Service governs the maximum driving times, and minimum off-duty times, of

commercial vehicle drivers (both bus and truck). Records of the daily driving and other

work activities are required to be completed in a prescribed format and kept and made

available to enforcement officials upon request.

Applications

In Ontario, hours of service applies to:

▪ Operators who hold or should hold a CVOR certificate

▪ Trucks, tractors or trailers, or a combination of these vehicles, which have a

registered gross weight or actual weight greater than 4,500 kilograms OR

▪ Commercial passenger vehicles (buses and vans) with a designed seating

capacity of 10 or more passengers

▪ Drivers of the above commercial vehicles

The “Commercial Vehicle Hours of Service Regulations Application Guide” is available,

and can be viewed or downloaded from CCMTA’s website.

Exemptions

The Ontario Hours of Service requirements do not apply to the following vehicles:

▪ Tow trucks (although tow trucks require a CVOR certificate, Hours of Service

requirements do not apply at this time)

▪ A two- or three-axle vehicle being used for the transportation of primary products

of a farm, forest, sea or lake, where the driver or the motor carrier is the producer

of those primary products; OR a return trip after transporting the primary products

of a farm, forest, sea or lake, if the vehicle is empty or is transporting products

used in the principal operation of a farm, forest, sea or lake

▪ A vehicle being used by a person in the lawful performance of his or her duties

as an inspector

▪ A cardiac-arrest emergency vehicle operated by or under the authority of a

hospital

Hours of Service – September 2022 204

▪ A vehicle engaged in providing relief in an emergency – a situation or impending

situation that constitutes a danger of major proportions to life, property or the

environment, whether caused by forces of nature, an accident, an intentional act

or otherwise

▪ A vehicle operated by or on behalf of a municipality, road authority or public utility

while responding to a situation or impending situation that constitutes an

imminent danger – though not one of major proportions – to life, property or the

environment, whether caused by forces of nature, an accident, an intentional act

or otherwise

▪ A bus that is operated by or on behalf of a municipality as part of its public-transit

service, either within the municipality or within 25 kilometres of the boundary of

the municipality

▪ A pickup truck, when driven for personal use, if

o the vehicle has a manufacturer’s gross vehicle weight rating of 6,500

kilograms or less, and

o is fitted with either

▪ the original box that was installed by the manufacturer, which has

not been modified

▪ a replacement box that duplicates the one that was installed by the

manufacturer, which has not been modified

▪ A large crane or a vehicle used in support of a large crane (while the vehicle is

operated by a large crane operator and is carrying parts for the large crane).

o A large crane means a crane that is capable of raising, lowering or moving

any material that weighs more than 13, 607 kg.

o Large crane operator: a person who holds a Hoisting Engineer-Mobile

Crane Operator 1 certificate of qualification issued under the Ontario

College of Trades and Apprenticeship Act 2009 or an apprentice in the

trade of Hoisting Engineer – Mobile Crane Operator 1.

o To claim the exemption, the driver must surrender a valid certificate of

qualification or proof of apprenticeship to an officer for inspection.

Hours of Service – September 2022 205

Basic Requirements

Hours of service regulations in Ontario have:

Daily driving requirements

Mandatory off-duty time and work-shift requirements

Work-cycle requirements

Record-keeping requirements
Ontario Driving Limitations
For the 24-hour period “day,” a driver cannot drive more than 13 hours.
During the 24-hour period “day,” a driver cannot drive after having been on-duty more
than 14 hours.
Hours of Service – September 2022 206
During the 24-hour period “day,” a driver must be off-duty for 10 hours, which must
include two hours that are not part of a mandatory off-duty period and are at least 30
minutes long.
Daily Limits
A “day” is defined as a 24-hour period that typically begins at midnight (or another hour
designated by the operator for the driver) and shall apply for the duration of the driver’s
cycle.
▪ The 13-Hour Driving Time in a “Day” Limit
No operator shall permit a driver to drive, and no driver shall drive, a commercial
vehicle after that driver has accumulated 13 hours of driving time in a day.
▪ The 14-Hour On-duty in a “Day” Limit
No operator shall permit a driver to drive, and no driver shall drive, a commercial
vehicle after that driver has accumulated 14 hours of on-duty time in a day.
The 14 hours of on-duty time may consist of driving time, plus on-duty time when
not driving. On-duty, not-driving time can mean, for example, working in the
operator’s office or facility, or loading or unloading the vehicle, inspecting the
vehicle, waiting at the border and so on.
▪ The 10-Hours Off-Duty in a “Day” Rule
An operator shall ensure that a driver takes at least 10 hours of off-duty time in a
day. This off-duty time must include at least two hours of off-duty time (taken in
blocks of not less than 30 minutes each). Off-duty time means time when a
driver is not working or driving (for example, taking a meal break). These periods
can be added to, but not form, part of a period of eight consecutive hours of off-
duty time, as required by Section 9 of the regulation. The eight-consecutive-hour
requirement will be described in more detail in Work Shift Limits.
Note: The operator and driver are exempt from the requirement to take 10 hours
off-duty in a day while the driver is operating a mobile crane or concrete pumper.
Hours of Service – September 2022 207
Daily Off-Duty Time
Step 1: Daily off-duty time must total at least 10 hours (made up of periods of at
least 30 minutes). For example, 2 hours off-duty +1 hour of- duty+ 7
hours off-duty = the required 10 hours off-duty.
Step 2: Daily off-duty time must include two hours that do not form part of an
eight-consecutive-hour, off-duty period required by Section 9. (They can
be added to the period.)
Each day must include two hours of off-duty time (> 30 minutes), which is not part of a
mandatory eight-consecutive-hour, off-duty period required by Section 9.
Hours of Service – September 2022 208
In the above example, the driver would be in violation of the 10-hour, off-duty rule,
despite being off-duty for 10 hours, because all the off-duty hours form part of the
mandatory eight hours. Therefore, the driver did not take the additional two hours.
Deferred Time Provision
If a driver is unable to take 10 hours off-duty time in a day, then up to two hours of off-
duty time can be deferred to the following day. This deferral option can be exercised
every second day if the driver chooses.
In order to defer daily off-duty time, a driver must meet the following conditions:
▪ The deferred off-duty time does not form part of the mandatory period of eight
consecutive hours.
▪ Before the end of the second day, the driver takes a consecutive period of off-
duty time consisting of the eight consecutive hours plus the off-duty time deferred
from the first day (for example, if one hour of off-duty time is deferred from today,
the driver must complete an off-duty period of at least nine consecutive hours by
the end of tomorrow).
▪ The total off-duty time in the two days must be at least 20 hours.
▪ The total driving time in the two days must not exceed 26 hours.
▪ The total on-duty time in the two days does not exceed 28 hours.
▪ The driver may not use this deferral option when splitting the eight consecutive
hours in a sleeper berth, in accordance with the sleeper-berth split provision.
The driver must declare in the “Remarks” section of the daily log clearly indicating the
day from which the off-duty time has been deferred, and the day to which it was
deferred.
Hours of Service – September 2022 209
Work-Shift Limits
Mandatory Off-Duty Time (Also Known as Work-Shift Limits)
A “work shift” is the period that begins when a driver goes on-duty at the end of a period
of at least eight hours mandatory off-duty time, and ends when the driver starts the next
period of at least eight consecutive hours off-duty.
▪ The 13-Hour Driving Time in a Work-Shift Rule
After a driver has accumulated 13 hours of driving time from the end of the most
recent period of eight or more consecutive hours of off-duty time, the operator
shall not permit, and the driver shall not drive again, unless he or she takes at
least eight consecutive hours of off-duty time.
▪ The 14-Hour On-duty in a Work-Shift Rule
After a driver has accumulated 14 hours of on duty time from the end of the most
recent period of eight or more consecutive hours of off-duty time, the operator
shall not permit, and the driver shall not drive again, unless he or she takes at
least eight consecutive hours of off-duty time.
▪ The 16-Hour Elapsed Time in a Work-Shift Rule
After 16 hours (all time) has elapsed from the end of the most recent period of
eight or more consecutive hours of off-duty time, the operator shall not permit,
and the driver shall not drive a commercial motor vehicle again, unless he or she
takes at least eight consecutive hours of off-duty time.
Eight Consecutive Hours of Required Rest
The eight or more consecutive hours off-duty required to restart a work shift may be a
combination of off-duty and sleeper-berth time. A driver may also take the required
eight consecutive hours of rest in the sleeper berth, or split the sleeper-berth time into
two periods. (The sleeper-berth option is covered in detail in the next section.)
Sleeper Berths
A driver can use a sleeper berth to split the required consecutive off-duty hours into two
periods while still complying with the daily off-duty requirements. The sleeper berth
must meet all construction and environmental standards specified in Section 8 of the
Ontario Regulation 555/06.
Hours of Service – September 2022 210
Single Drivers
If the vehicle has a sleeper berth that meets the definition in the regulation, the driver
can split the mandatory off-duty time into two sleeper-berth periods if:
▪ Neither period is less than two hours.
▪ The total of the two sleeper periods is at least 10 hours.
▪ The off-duty time is spent resting in the sleeper berth.
▪ The total off-duty time in the day is at least 10 hours.
▪ The total driving time before and after each sleeper period does not exceed 13
hours.
▪ None of the daily off-duty time is deferred to the next day.
▪ The elapsed time before and after each sleeper period does not include any
driving time after the 16th hour when the driver comes on-duty.
▪ The total of the on-duty time before and after each sleeper period does not
include any driving time after the 14th hour.
Hours of Service – September 2022 211
Team Drivers
If the vehicle has a sleeper berth that meets the definition in the regulation, team drivers
can split the eight hours of required off-duty time into two sleeper-berth periods if:
▪ Neither period is less than four hours.
▪ The total of the two sleeper periods is at least eight hours.
▪ The off-duty time is spent resting in the sleeper berth.
▪ The total driving time before and after each sleeper period does not exceed 13
hours.
▪ The elapsed time before and after each sleeper period does not include any
driving time after the 16th hour when the driver comes on-duty.
▪ None of the daily off-duty time is deferred to the next day.
▪ The total of the on-duty time before and after each sleeper period does not
include any driving time after the 14th hour.
Note: Because the eligible sleeper-berth periods require only a total of eight hours,
team drivers must take an additional two hours of off-duty time to meet the daily
10-hour requirement. This time may or may not be sleeper-berth time.
Hours of Service – September 2022 212
Driving-Cycles Limits
Because of the cumulative effect of being on-duty over several days and weeks, the
Hours of Service regulations include a maximum on-duty time for seven- and 14-day
cycles. The operator will designate either a seven-day or 14-day cycle for drivers, and
shall require that each driver follow it.
Seven-Day Cycle
No operator shall permit, and no driver on a seven-day cycle shall drive, a commercial
motor vehicle after having been on duty for 70 hours in that cycle.
14-Day Cycle
No operator shall permit, and no driver shall drive, a commercial motor vehicle on a 14-
day cycle after having been on duty for 120 hours in that cycle. A driver who is
following the 14-day cycle shall not drive again in that cycle after accumulating 70 hours
of on-duty time, without having taken at least 24 consecutive hours of off-duty time.
Cycle Reset
When a driver on a seven-day cycle takes 36 consecutive hours off-duty, that cycle
ends and a new one starts.
When a driver on a 14-day cycle takes 72 consecutive hours off-duty, that cycle ends
and a new one starts.
Once a driver can start a new cycle, they may switch their cycle or switch the starting
time of their day.
Cycle Switching
Once a cycle has been designated, the driver may not switch to the other cycle unless
the appropriate reset provision has been satisfied.
Cycle Switching and Resets
If a driver wants to switch cycles or to reset their current cycle of accumulated hours
back to zero, they must take the following number of hours off-duty:
▪ To reset a seven-day cycle, or switch from a seven-day cycle to a14-day cycle,
take at least 36 consecutive hours off.
▪ To reset a 14-day cycle, or switch from 14-day cycle to a seven-day cycle, take
at least 72 consecutive hours off.
Note: A driver is only in violation when driving in excess of the cycle of cumulative
hours permitted.
Hours of Service – September 2022 213
Mandatory 24 Hours Off-Duty
Despite the cycle the driver is following, no operator shall permit, and a driver must not
drive, unless there has been at least 24 consecutive hours off-duty in the preceding 14
days.
Adverse Driving Conditions
“Adverse driving conditions” means significantly impaired driving conditions that were
not known, or could not reasonably have been known, to a driver, or an operator
dispatching a driver immediately before the driver began driving.
A driver who encounters adverse driving conditions while operating a commercial motor
vehicle may:
▪ Increase the daily driving time beyond 13 hours by up to two hours; and the daily
14 hours of on-duty time by up to two hours; and reduce the required 10 hours of
off-duty time in a day by a corresponding amount
▪ Increase the driving time beyond 13 hours in the work shift and sleeper-berth
splits by up to two hours; and the 14 hours of on-duty time in a work shift by up to
two hours
However, the 16-hour elapsed time cannot be exceeded due to adverse driving
conditions.
If, as a result of this extension, the driver exceeds the on-duty time for the cycle
permitted under the seven- or 14-day cycles, the cycle requirements under those
sections must be met by the end of the following day.
If a driver extends his or her driving or on-duty times due to adverse conditions, the
reason for the extension must be entered in the “Remarks” section of the daily log, or on
the time record required by an operator for a driver who is not required to complete a
daily log.
Logbooks
Required Information
Operators are required to make sure that drivers maintain true and accurate daily logs.
This is best done by having a monitoring system ensuring that drivers complete
logbooks as required by legislation and are not falsifying them. A sample of a log that
meets the requirements of the regulations is contained in the appendix at the end of this
module.
The daily log must contain the following required information.
Hours of Service – September 2022 214
A driver shall, at the start of each day, enter the following information in the daily log:

The driver’s name

The date

The name of the driver’s co-drivers, if any

The start time of the day being recorded, if the day does not start at midnight

The cycle that the driver is following

The odometer reading at the start of the day, of the commercial motor vehicle
to be operated by the driver

Recorded in the “Remarks” section of the log, the number of hours of on-duty
and off-duty time, as defined in this regulation, that the driver accumulated each
day (during the 14 days immediately before the start of the day), for which the
driver was exempt by this regulation from keeping a daily log

The number plate of each commercial motor vehicle to be driven, and each
trailer to be drawn, by the driver on the day

The name of the operator for whom the driver is to drive during the day

The addresses of the driver’s home terminal and principal place of business of
the operator for whom the driver is to drive during the day
A driver shall, over the course of each day, enter the following information in the daily
log:

The start and end times for each duty status during the day

Each city, town, village or highway location, and the province or state where the
driver’s duty status changes
A driver shall, at the end of each day, enter the following information in the daily log:

The total time spent in each duty status during the day

The odometer reading at the end of the day

The total distance driven by the driver

The driver’s signature, certifying that the information provided is true and
accurate
Hours of Service – September 2022 215
Graph Grid
The graph grid has to be completed in the prescribed manner.
▪ A continuous line is drawn between the appropriate markers for each 24-hour
period in the grid to record the period of time when the driver is:
o Off-duty
o In the sleeper berth
o Driving
o On-duty, not driving
▪ Record the name of the municipality or location on a highway or legal
subdivision, and the name of the province or state where each change of duty
occurs.
▪ The graph grid is to be updated at the end of each change in duty status.
▪ If the driver is engaged in making deliveries in a municipality, which results in a
number of periods of driving time being interrupted by short periods of other on-
duty time of less than one hour, the periods of driving time may be combined and
the periods of other on-duty time may be combined.
▪ At the end of each day, the total number of hours in each duty status shall be
entered in the space to the right of each graph grid, below the phrase “total
hours” and shall add up to 24 hours.
Hours of Service – September 2022 216
Note:
▪ Drivers must prepare and maintain logs in the time zone of the driver’s home
terminal.
▪ Every motor vehicle is required to have a working odometer. A hub-meter
reading is acceptable in lieu of an odometer reading.
Logbook Exemption
Under the Ontario regulation, a driver is not required to keep a daily log for the day if:
▪ On the operator’s instructions, a commercial motor vehicle is driven solely within
a radius of 160 kilometres of the driver’s starting location.
▪ The driver returns at the end of the day to the location from which he or she
started.
If a driver is not required to keep a daily log, the operator shall keep a record for the day
showing:
▪ The date, the driver’s name and the location at which the driver starts and ends
the day
▪ The cycle that the driver is following
▪ The hour at which each duty status starts and ends and the total number of hours
spent in each duty status
▪ The number of hours of on-duty time and off-duty time, within the meaning of this
regulation, that the driver accumulated each day during the 14 days immediately
before the start of the day, for which the driver was exempt from this regulation
and not required to keep a daily log
For the purpose of the hour at which each duty status started and ended, if the driver is
on duty within a municipality such that a number of periods of driving time are
interrupted by a number of periods of other on-duty time of less than one hour each, the
periods of driving time may be combined and the periods of other on-duty time may be
combined.
The exemption from having to keep a logbook does not exempt a driver from being in
compliance with the remainder of the hours of service regulations; it applies only to the
requirement of maintaining a logbook. If any of the above conditions that exempt the
driver from keeping a log book end, then the driver must maintain a daily log for each
day he/she does not qualify for the exemption.
Hours of Service – September 2022 217
A driver must begin to prepare a daily log for the day immediately after becoming aware
that the terms of the exemption cannot be met. The daily log must cover the entire day,
even if the driver has to retroactively record changes in status that occurred between
the time of reporting for duty and the time in which he/she no longer qualified for the
160-kilometre radius exemption.
The driver is required to enter in the “Remarks” section the number of hours of off-duty
and on-duty time that accumulated each day during the previous 14 days, or on one
daily log that clearly indicates all required information. A driver may carry the record of
duty status for the previous 14 days, instead of entering in the current daily log the times
they were on- and off-duty for the previous 14 days.
Electronic On-Board Recording Device
An electronic or mechanical recording device is allowed instead of the driver
maintaining a manual log, as long as the device records time and movement of the
vehicle. The device must automatically record the number of times that it is
disconnected and keep a record of the time and date of these disconnections. The
device must also keep track of, and record, the total on-duty time remaining in the
driver’s cycle, as well as the total accumulated on-duty time in the cycle. The device
must be capable of storing all of this required information, as well as the information that
must be included in a log book. The device must be able to display the stored
information in a readable format on demand. The driver must be ready to manually
prepare log forms should the device not work. When requested by a peace officer, the
driver must be prepared to complete manual logs using the information stored in the
device for the period of the declared cycle.
Operators may choose to maintain electronic-data downloads of driver log information
for a minimum period of six months, thereby meeting the record retention requirement.
Hours of Service – September 2022 218
Possession of Logs and Supporting Documents
A driver who is required to keep a daily log must have in his or her possession:
▪ The daily log for the current day, completed up to the time at which the last
change in the driver’s duty status occurred
▪ A copy of the daily logs for the preceding 14 days
Note: Drivers will be permitted to record multiple days off-duty on one daily log.
(For example, one daily log indicates April 20, 2009, to April 21, 2009 – off-duty.)
If a driver was exempt from keeping a daily log for any of the preceding 14 days, there
are three options available.
Option 1
▪ The driver must record, in the “Remarks” section of the current daily log, the
number of on-duty and off-duty hours for each day of the preceding 14 days for
which the driver was not required to keep a daily log.
Option 2
▪ The driver may carry the time records required to be kept for any day for which a
daily log is not available.
Option 3
▪ Drivers can produce any combination of the current log with on-duty and off-duty
hours recorded in the “Remarks” section for any day that a daily log was not
required in the previous 14 days, and the duty status records or daily logs.
Hours of Service – September 2022 219
For example, if the driver’s preceding 14 days included the following activities:
▪ Current Day – Drive CMV – Log Required
▪ Preceding Day 1 – Drive CMV – Log Required
▪ Preceding Day 2 – Day Off
▪ Preceding Day 3 – Day Off
▪ Preceding Day 4 – Drive CMV – Local Time Records
▪ Preceding Day 5 – Drive CMV – Local Time Records
▪ Preceding Day 6 – Drive CMV – Log Required
▪ Preceding Day 7 – Drive CMV – Log Required
▪ Preceding Day 8 – Day Off
▪ Preceding Day 9 – Day Off
▪ Preceding Day 10 – Drive CMV – Log Required
▪ Preceding Day 11 – Drive CMV – Log Required
▪ Preceding Day 12 – Drive CMV – Local Time Record
▪ Preceding Day 13 – Drive CMV – Local Time Record
▪ Preceding Day 14 – Day Off
The driver would have the option of surrendering the following:
Option 1 – the current daily log and a daily log for each of the preceding 14 days
Option 2 – any daily log required to be completed in the preceding 14 days (current,
days 1, 6, 7, 10, 11, and recorded on the current log the number of on-duty and off-duty
hours for days 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 12, 13 and 14)
Option 3 – any daily log required to be completed in the preceding 14 days (current,
days 1, 6, 7, 10, 11, and recorded on the current log the number of on-duty and
off-duty hours for days 2, 3, 8, 9, 14, and carry the time records completed for
days 4, 5, 12, and 13)
When requested by an inspector, the driver must produce his or her logs and trip
documentation without delay. Documentation includes anything in the driver’s
possession that an inspector may use to determine compliance.
Hours of Service – September 2022 220
Record-Keeping
The driver is required to submit each completed original log to the operator within 20
days of being produced. The driver must also submit any supporting documents for that
daily log as well.
A driver who is employed by two or more operators is required to provide each operator
with a copy of all logs. This lets each operator monitor the driver’s hours of service for
dispatch purposes.
Operators are also required to keep a copy of drivers’ logs at their principal place of
business for at least six months. If the operator has more than one terminal, and the
daily logs are turned in to the driver’s home terminal, then the operator must ensure that
they are deposited at the principal place of business within 30 days of receiving them.
Operator Responsibilities
Section 28 of Ontario Regulation 555/06 requires operators to monitor the compliance
of each driver to the regulations. An operator that determines that there has been non-
compliance with the regulations shall take immediate remedial action and record the
dates on which the non-compliance occurred, the date of issuance of a notice of non-
compliance and the action taken.
Proactive Measures
A proactive approach is a key component of the hours of service management program.
Operators need to develop and implement written policies and procedures to ensure
compliance with the regulations. While demonstrating due diligence, the operator has
the ability to undertake corrective action through the application of its disciplinary
process.
Effective training of operational staff responsible for driver supervision and dispatch, in
addition to driver training, is an integral component of a safety management program.
Personnel must have knowledge and understanding of the regulations, and be aware of
the policies, procedures and available options.
To achieve a high level of compliance, you need effective training of new drivers and re-
training of those who have demonstrated a continuing pattern of violations. This will
also ensure minimal intervention from enforcement agencies.
Operators must ensure that drivers are only dispatched when there are a sufficient
number of on-duty hours available for use. Therefore, a system to monitor a driver’s
available on-duty time is essential. One example of an hours of service tracking system
is when a driver calls the company dispatcher on a daily basis with the accumulated
hours for the previous day, and the dispatcher keeps a record of these hours. From the
Hours of Service – September 2022 221
information provided by the driver, the dispatcher is able to calculate the driver’s
available hours remaining in the declared cycle.
Reactive Measures
The operator must have the necessary tools available to react when violations of the
regulations and associated company policies are identified. Tools that can help identify
and modify inappropriate driver behaviour include a self-audit program, timely reviews
of driver records, driver disclosures/non-disclosures and the carrier profile. Corrective
measures may include re-training and/or disciplinary action, as identified in the
operator’s disciplinary process. Failure to take corrective action means that the cycle of
non-compliance will continue.
Self-Audit
A self-audit is an integral component of an operator’s safety program. It provides the
operator with the ability to readily identify areas of non-compliance. Audits involve the
review of driver logbooks, support documentation such as fuel and lodging receipts, and
any other relevant record or information. You need to document the findings to support
any corrective/disciplinary action taken. The sample size of the self-audit will vary
according to the size of the company. A small operator may choose to audit all driver
logs, but a large company may audit a portion of the drivers for a selected period of
time.
Driver logbooks should be audited to ensure that:
▪ There is a log for every day.
▪ Logbooks are complete with all required information.
▪ Drivers are in compliance with the regulations (driving limits, required off-duty
time and the cycle limits, as applicable).
▪ Logs are accurate when compared to supporting documents such as dispatch
records, fuel receipts, payroll, bills of lading.
▪ Logs are accurate when analyzed for distance travelled over a period of time.
▪ On-duty time logged by the driver agrees with the driver’s statement of hours
worked for payroll submission.
▪ Driving with a co-driver is substantiated, and the hours declared by the two
drivers are appropriate (for example, both drivers not log driving at the same
time).
▪ The operator and the driver are complying with any permit conditions.
Hours of Service – September 2022 222
▪ Records are being kept in chronological order for each driver and retained for at
least six months.
▪ Radius-exemption daily records are available, if appropriate, and all four
exemption criteria are met every day.
Reviewing Hours of Service Logs
Under the hours of service legislation, there are many different ways of reviewing an
hours of service log to determine if it is in compliance. A three-step process is offered
here. All three main steps must be in compliance:

Check the daily logs to ensure they are complete and accurate.

Check the day.

Check the work shift.

Check the cycles.
Note: In addition, the reviewer must always check to evaluate if an exemption is being
used by the driver.

Check the daily logs to ensure they are complete and accurate.
Ensure that:
▪ The daily log contains all required contents outlined in Regulation 555/06.
▪ The information recorded in the daily log is accurate, including but not limited to:
the date, driver name, assigned cycle, vehicle information, duty status, and/or
locations. This step should include a comparison of supporting documents to
logged driver duty status and location information.
Failure to maintain a complete and accurate daily log is a violation.
The required contents of a handwritten daily log are prescribed in Sections 19 and 20 of
Ontario Regulation 555/06 – Hours of Service.

Check the Day (start time of the 24-hour period must be specified by the
operator):
▪ Regular time (including use of sleeper berth)
o No driving after 13 hours of driving
Hours of Service – September 2022 223
o No driving after 14 hours on-duty
o At least 10 hours off-duty
Note: Before the driver can drive, at least eight hours of this time must be consecutive,
and there must be two additional hours off-duty in no less than 30-minute periods that
do not form part of the eight consecutive hours.
▪ Deferred time
o Option of deferring up to two hours of daily off-duty time to the second day
o Total driving time in two days not more than 26 hours
o Total on-duty time in two days not more than 28 hours
o Total off-duty time in two days not less than 20 hours
o A mandatory consecutive off-duty period of at least eight plus the number
of hours deferred completed before the end of the second day
Note: This exemption cannot be used with split sleeper provision.

Check the Work Shift (period between the end of one period of eight hours or more
off-duty, and the start of the next period of eight hours or more off-duty):
▪ No sleeper berth used
o No driving after 13 hours driving
o No driving after 14 hours on-duty
o No driving after 16 hours of elapsed time.
Note: Elapsed time includes all time in a work shift.
▪ Single driver using sleeper berth
o Driving time before and after each period in the eligible sleeper period not to
exceed 13 hours
o No driving after the on-duty time before and after each eligible sleeper period
exceeds 14 hours
The driver may not drive after the elapsed time before and after each eligible sleeper
period exceeds 16 hours.
Hours of Service – September 2022 224
Note: Each eligible sleeper period must not be less than two hours, and the total of the
two periods must be at least 10 hours.
▪ Team drivers using sleeper berth
o Driving time before and after each period in the eligible sleeper period not to
exceed 13 hours
o No driving after the on-duty time before and after each eligible sleeper period
exceeds 14 hours
The driver may not drive after the elapsed time before and after each eligible sleeper
period exceeds 16 hours.
Note: Each eligible sleeper period must not be less than four hours, and the total of
the two periods must be at least eight hours.

Check the Cycles (cycle must be specified by operator):
▪ Seven-day cycle
o Verify the driver did not drive after accumulating 70 hours of on-duty time in
any period of seven consecutive days.
Note: A driver may end a seven-day cycle and start a new cycle by taking 36
consecutive hours off-duty. When a driver starts a new cycle, the accumulated hours
are deemed to be zero, and the hours start to accumulate again in the new cycle.
▪ 14-day cycle:
o Verify the driver did not drive after accumulating 120 hours of on-duty time in
any period of 14 consecutive days.
o Verify the driver did not drive after accumulating more than 70 hours at any
time during the cycle without taking 24 hours off-duty.
Note: A driver may end a 14-day cycle and start a new cycle by taking 72 consecutive
hours off-duty. When a driver starts a new cycle, the accumulated hours are deemed to
be zero, and the hours start to accumulate again in the new cycle.
▪ Day off:
o Verify that the driver did not drive at any time without having a period of 24
consecutive hours off-duty in the preceding 14 days (regardless of the day
or cycle being worked).
Hours of Service – September 2022 225
Corrective Action
Corrective action may take the form of re-evaluation and assessment, retraining or the
application of the disciplinary process leading up to and including dismissal. Corrective
actions should be part of an operator’s safety plan. Employees must be aware of its
existence in the safety plan.
An operator may choose to have new employees acknowledge that they have been
informed of the disciplinary policy at the time of hire, in addition to having a copy of the
policy in plain view for all employees to see.
The disciplinary process should be progressive in nature. For example, it could start
with a documented verbal warning, and then escalate to a written warning signed by the
driver, and then suspensions and ultimately termination. Operators should identify
offences that would result in immediate termination.
Record-Keeping
The operator is required to maintain driver logbooks and support documents for a period
of at least six months. If a driver is exempt from keeping logbooks, the operator is
responsible for retaining the appropriate time records and supporting documents.
These records must be kept at the operator’s principal place of business in Ontario, and
in chronological order. The operator is required, upon request by an officer, to produce
these records during normal business hours. An officer is not required to give the
operator prior notice of inspections.
Hours of Service – September 2022 226
Enforcement and Penalties
Drivers and operators in violation of the hours of service regulations may be charged.
Violations of these regulations by a driver or the operator that result in convictions are
included in the operator’s record. An accumulation of these convictions, solely or in
combination with convictions for any other type of offence under the Highway Traffic
Act, may result in the operator being identified for further monitoring and enforcement
options.
Out-of-Service Declarations
Drivers on the road who cannot produce the requested records are subject to being
placed out of service. Drivers driving beyond the hours of service limitations are subject
to prohibition of driving by an officer, until such time that they have enough hours
available to proceed.
Drivers may be placed out of service for 10 consecutive hours for violation of the daily
driving and on-duty rules.
If a driver fails to comply with the off-duty time requirements, they may be placed out of
service for the number of hours needed to correct the failure.
Drivers may be placed out of service for 72 consecutive hours for any of the following
violations:
▪ Driver is unable or refuses to produce his/her daily log.
▪ There is evidence that the driver completed more than one daily log for the day,
entered inaccurate information or falsified the daily log.
▪ Driver mutilates or defaces a daily log or supporting documents in such a way
that it cannot be determined whether the driver has followed the driving time and
off-duty requirements.
Hours of Service – September 2022 227
Appendix A – Example of a Daily Log Book Record
Dangerous Goods – September 2022 228
Commercial Vehicle Operators’ Safety Manual
Module 10 – Dangerous Goods
Overview ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 229
Dangerous Goods – Learning Objectives ………………………………………………………….. 230
Dangerous Goods Regulations ……………………………………………………………………….. 231
What is a Dangerous Good? …………………………………………………………………………… 232
Dangerous Goods on Buses …………………………………………………………………………… 232
Classes of Dangerous Goods …………………………………………………………………………. 233
Identification of Dangerous Goods and Communication of Hazards (Safety Marks) … 233
Accompanying Documentation ………………………………………………………………………… 237
Shipping Document ……………………………………………………………………………………….. 237
Reporting Incidents ……………………………………………………………………………………….. 238
Prosecutions ………………………………………………………………………………………………… 238
More Information …………………………………………………………………………………………… 239
EMERGENCY NUMBERS …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 239
INFORMATION NUMBERS ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 239
LINKS ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 239
Dangerous Goods – September 2022 229
Overview
The Commercial Safety and Compliance Branch of the Ministry of Transportation of
Ontario has prepared this guide to assist and ensure that truck and bus companies
(commercial vehicle operators) operate safely and are compliant with the regulations
that govern highway use. Ontario, other provinces, the Government of Canada and the
transportation industry developed the rules and regulations to help reduce the number
and severity of collisions. Each jurisdiction has used the National Safety Code
standards as guides in drafting their own transportation safety legislation. This approach
promotes uniformity across Canada and helps to ensure that the transportation industry
remains as viable and sustainable as possible.
This guide applies to Ontario operators of commercial motor vehicles that are:
▪ Trucks, tractors, mobile equipment vehicles or trailers and/or any combination of
these vehicles that have a registered gross weight or actual weight of more than
4,500 kilograms
▪ Tow trucks, regardless of registered gross weight or actual weight
▪ Buses with a manufactured seating capacity of 10 persons or more, excluding
the driver
▪ Accessible vehicles and school purposes vehicles, depending upon use
The guide contains several modules, each dealing with a specific topic. To get a
complete picture of compliance requirements, you should obtain the complete guide. If
you intend to use certain parts of this guide only (for example, Module 1, “Getting
Started”) it is recommended that you also obtain the modules “Introduction” and
“Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration.
”
This is a guide only and is not meant to be a substitute for the relevant statutes
and regulations. This guide highlights some important legal provisions but is not
an exhaustive description of all the laws that apply.
Dangerous Goods – September 2022 230
Dangerous Goods – Learning Objectives
As you work through this module, you will be able to:
✓ Define dangerous goods.
✓ Understand the need for legislation to regulate the transportation of
dangerous goods.
✓ Describe the training required.
✓ Identify the classes of dangerous goods.
✓ Identify the labels and placards used for dangerous goods.
✓ Describe the legislated use of labels and placards.
✓ Identify the required documentation.
✓ Describe procedures for reporting incidents.
Completion of this module does not constitute dangerous goods training for an
employee.
Dangerous Goods – September 2022 231
Dangerous Goods Regulations
Dangerous goods are those that could cause harm to people, property or the
environment.
Each day, numerous products defined as dangerous goods are shipped from one point
to another within Canada, by road, railroad, air and water. With the significant numbers
of dangerous goods in transport, there is a great potential for incidents to occur that
would endanger human life and damage the environment.
Manufacturers, shippers, operators, terminals, users and governments need to work
continually toward minimizing the risk of incidents during the transportation of
dangerous goods, as well as the harm done when an incident does occur.
For this reason, governments established legislation that applies to all stages of
dangerous goods movement. They have also set up inspection and enforcement
programs to achieve compliance with the legislation.
In Canada, the federal government, and those of the provinces and territories, have
enacted legislation to regulate the transportation of dangerous goods.
Training
The dangerous goods legislation directs that no one shall handle, offer for transport or
transport dangerous goods unless they are trained or in the presence, and under the
direct supervision, of someone who has been trained.
It is the responsibility of each operator to make sure that employees and anyone driving
the vehicles they are responsible for have the proper training necessary to transport or
handle dangerous goods. When the operator believes that the employee has been
adequately trained in relation to their duties for transporting dangerous goods, the
operator must issue a training certificate to the employee.
The certificate must include the following information:

The name and address of the operator

The name of the employee

The signature of the operator and employee

The date of expiry

The aspects of training that the employee has received
A certificate is valid for 36 months, and a copy must be kept at the operator’s place of
business for a period of two years after the expiry date.
Dangerous Goods – September 2022 232
Every trained person who transports dangerous goods is required by law to produce a
certificate of training when requested by an inspector.
What is a Dangerous Good?
Many products pose some danger while being transported, but dangerous goods are
generally products that are inherently dangerous, whether or not they are in transport.
Special precautions are called for to ensure safe transportation. The Transportation of
Dangerous Goods Act, 1992, (TDGA, 1992) defines dangerous goods as “a product,
substance or organism included by its nature or by the regulation in any of the classes
listed in the schedule.”
The schedule to the TDGA, 1992 identifies nine classes of dangerous goods.
Manufacturers of dangerous goods, or products containing dangerous goods, cannot
offer these for transport unless they have been properly classified. Each dangerous
good falls within one of these nine classes. Some classes are further divided into
divisions, in order to provide more information. The sub-class identifies additional
dangers associated with the particular good within that general class.
Dangerous Goods on Buses
Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations, in column nine of Schedule 1, gives
the quantity limits for dangerous goods above which those dangerous goods must not
be transported on a passenger-carrying road vehicle (bus). The quantity limit is
expressed in kilograms for solids; litres for liquids; and, for gases, the capacity of the
means of containment of the gases.
The word “Forbidden” in this column means that the dangerous goods must not be
transported in any quantity on-board a bus. If no index number is shown, then there is
no quantity limit. A few exceptions do exist: for example, dangerous goods that are
required for the health and safety of passengers, such as medical oxygen.
Before transporting dangerous goods, bus operators should check the regulation for
prohibitions and applicable exemptions.
Dangerous Goods – September 2022 233
Classes of Dangerous Goods
Class 1: Explosives
▪ Explosives, as included in the Explosives Act
Class 2: Gases
▪ Compressed, deeply refrigerated, liquefied or dissolved under pressure
Class 3: Flammable Liquids
▪ A liquid which has a closed-cup flash point not greater than 60oC.
Class 4: Flammable Solids
▪ Flammable solids, meaning substances liable to spontaneous combustion, and
substances that emit flammable gases upon contact with water
Class 5: Oxidizing Substances and Organic Peroxides
▪ Substance which causes or contributes to the combustion of other material by
yielding oxygen or other oxidizing substances or organic compounds which are
strong oxidizing agents and may be liable to explosive decomposition, be
sensitive to heat, shock or friction or react dangerously with other dangerous
goods
Class 6: Toxic and Infectious Substances
▪ A solid or liquid that is toxic through inhalation, by skin contact or by ingestion or
Micro-organisms that are infectious or that are reasonably believed to be
infectious to humans or animals.
Class 7: Radioactive Materials
▪ Nuclear substances, within the meaning of the Nuclear Safety and Control Act,
which are radioactive
Class 8: Corrosives
▪ A substance that causes destruction of skin or corrodes steel or non-clad
aluminum.
Class 9: Miscellaneous Products, Substances or Organisms
▪ Miscellaneous products, substances or organisms considered by the Governor-
in-Council to be dangerous to life, health, property or the environment when
handled, offered for transport or transported
Identification of Dangerous Goods and Communication of Hazards
(Safety Marks)
The legislation prescribes labels and placards (safety marks) for each classification of
dangerous goods, as well as information that must be included in documents required to
accompany the consignment of the dangerous goods. The prescribed markings and
Dangerous Goods – September 2022 234
documentation are intended to communicate the nature of the danger to handlers and
those responding to spills and incidents.
Generally, smaller packages are labelled, while larger shipments or goods that are
shipped in a large means of containment are placarded. Transport units that are used
must be placarded in accordance with the legislation, and the prescribed documents
must accompany the consignment and be readily accessible.
Placards are a clear indication that a transport unit contains dangerous goods. When a
collision or spill occurs that involves a transport unit, these placards alert responders to
the presence and nature of the dangerous goods, which allows them to take the
necessary precautions and actions.
Responders may examine the contents of the transport unit to locate the particular
consignment of dangerous goods, and examine the accompanying documentation to
obtain more precise information.
Generally speaking, prior to taking possession of a shipment of dangerous goods, you
must ensure that you are in possession of a shipping document containing the
prescribed information, and that the means of containment are displaying the required
safety marks.
When placards are required to be displayed on a large means of containment, they
must be displayed on each side and each end.
The placards must remain on the large means of containment until no hazard remains.
Once the dangerous goods have been unloaded and no hazard remains, the placards
must be removed.
If the dangerous-goods safety marks are lost, damaged or defaced during the trip, then
the operator must replace them.
Dangerous Goods – September 2022 235
Dangerous Goods – September 2022 236
Dangerous Goods – September 2022 237
Accompanying Documentation
When a shipping document is required to accompany the dangerous goods, it must be
kept within arm’s reach of the driver. When the driver is not in the cab, the documents
must be on the driver’s seat, in the pocket on the driver’s door or in a clearly visible
position.
One of the most important sources of information for a first responder to an accident is
the dangerous goods documentation. The document outlines the dangerous goods you
are carrying in a specific order, in which the first responders are trained.
When a parked trailer carrying dangerous goods is not attached to the tractor, the
person in charge of the parking area must keep one copy of the documents. Or, if there
isn’t anyone in charge of the parking area, place a copy of the documents in a
waterproof container attached to the trailer, where it is easily identifiable and accessible.
Though there are other options available to leave documentation; the ones above are
most commonly used.
If the quantity of dangerous goods changes while in transport, the person in control of
the vehicle must indicate this, so that the document reflects the amount of dangerous
goods in the vehicle.
Shipping Document
A shipping document must, at minimum, include the following information for
transportation by road:
▪ Legible and clear, “dangerous goods” highlighted over other freight
▪ Name and address of Consignor (Canadian)
▪ Date the document prepared
▪ Description of DG in following order
o UN Number
o Shipping name
o (technical name) Special Provision 16
o Primary class
o Compatibility group – (explosives Class 1 only)
o Subsidiary class in parentheses
o Packing Group (roman numeral)
o “Toxic by Inhalation” or “toxic – inhalation hazard” Special Provision 23
Dangerous Goods – September 2022 238
▪ Quantity of Dangerous Goods / NEQ – Explosives (metric)
▪ Number of small means of containment
▪ 24 Hour phone number
▪ Residue last contained
▪ Declining balance
▪ ERAP number and activation telephone number (if required)
▪ Consignor’s Certification
Reporting Incidents
In the event of an accidental release of dangerous goods from a means of containment,
a person who has possession of them at the time must make an immediate report to the
following people, if the accidental release consists of a quantity of dangerous goods or
an emission of radiation that is greater than the quantity or emission level set out in the
table in Part 8 of the Regulation:

The local police

The owner of the vehicle

Your employer

The person or company that owns the consignment of the dangerous goods
(consignor as per TDG Clear Language)

CANUTEC, in the event of an accidental release of Class 1, 6.2, or a catastrophic
failure of a gas cylinder
The driver’s employer must submit a 30-day follow-up report to the Director General,
Transport Dangerous Goods Directorate, Transport Canada (if you were required to
make an immediate report of an accidental release of dangerous goods as per Section
8.1 of the regulations).
Prosecutions
Prosecutions are undertaken for violations of the Dangerous Goods Transportation Act.
Penalties include fines of up to $50,000 for first offences, up to $100,000 for second
offences, and up to two years imprisonment for indictable offences.
Dangerous Goods – September 2022 239
More Information
Emergency Numbers
CANUTEC (613) 996-6666
M.O.E. Spills Action Centre 1-800-268-6060
Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (613) 995-0479
Information Numbers
CANUTEC (613) 992-4624
M.O.E. Spills Action Centre 1-416-325-3011
Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission 1-800-668-5284
Hazardous Waste Information Network (M.O.E) 1-866-494-6663
Ontario Ministry of Transportation 1-800-387-7736
Links
The Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act (Federal)
The Dangerous Goods Transportation Act
Vehicle Weights and Dimensions – September 2022 240
Commercial Vehicle Operators’ Safety Manual
Module 11 – Vehicle Weights and Dimensions
Overview ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 241
Vehicle Weights and Dimensions – Learning Objectives ……………………………………… 242
Ministry of Transportation Permits ……………………………………………………………………. 243
Safe, Productive, Infrastructure-Friendly (SPIF) Vehicles ……………………………………. 247
More Information …………………………………………………………………………………………… 249
Vehicle Weights and Dimensions – September 2022 241
Overview
The Commercial Safety and Compliance Branch of the Ministry of Transportation of
Ontario has prepared this guide to assist and ensure that truck and bus companies
(commercial vehicle operators) operate safely and are compliant with the regulations
that govern highway use. Ontario, other provinces, the Government of Canada and the
transportation industry developed the rules and regulations to help reduce the number
and severity of collisions. Each jurisdiction has used the National Safety Code
standards as guides in drafting their own transportation safety legislation. This approach
promotes uniformity across Canada and helps to ensure that the transportation industry
remains as viable and sustainable as possible.
This guide applies to Ontario operators of commercial motor vehicles that are:
▪ Trucks, tractors, mobile equipment vehicles or trailers and/or any combination of
these vehicles that have a registered gross weight or actual weight of more than
4,500 kilograms
▪ Tow trucks, regardless of registered gross weight or actual weight
▪ Buses with a manufactured seating capacity of 10 persons or more, excluding
the driver
▪ Accessible vehicles and school purposes vehicles, depending upon use
The guide contains several modules, each dealing with a specific topic. To get a
complete picture of compliance requirements, you should obtain the complete guide. If
you intend to use certain parts of this guide only (for example, Module 1, “Getting
Started”) it is recommended that you also obtain the modules “Introduction” and
“Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration.
”
This is a guide only and is not meant to be a substitute for the relevant statutes
and regulations. This guide highlights some important legal provisions but is not
an exhaustive description of all the laws that apply.
Vehicle Weights and Dimensions – September 2022 242
Vehicle Weights and Dimensions – Learning Objectives
As you work through this module, you will be able to:
✓ Understand the need for overweight and oversize permits.
✓ Describe carrier responsibilities.
✓ Identify legal dimensions and weights.
✓ Determine which vehicles require permits and the specific conditions that
apply.
✓ Identify the types of permits available.
✓ Obtain the latest road information, through the Traveller’s Information
Website.
✓ Obtain information on safe, productive, infrastructure-friendly (SPIF) vehicles.
Vehicle Weights and Dimensions – September 2022 243
Ministry of Transportation Permits
The Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) monitors, controls and issues permits for
the movement of vehicles or combination vehicles that do not comply with dimensional
limits under the Highway Traffic Act. MTO establishes maximum weight and dimension
limits for any vehicle using public roads, and makes provisions for the movement of
oversize and overweight loads by issuing permits. This is done for the following
purposes:
▪ To ensure the safety of the travelling public
▪ To minimize the inconvenience to the travelling public
▪ To minimize damage to the roadway infrastructure
▪ To facilitate the movement of commodities that are non-divisible, deemed
impractical to divide or uneconomical to transport at legal dimensions
▪ To establish and communicate to the operator a set of conditions for the safe
movement of the load
▪ To prevent damage to the operator’s vehicles and load
Responsibilities
It is the responsibility of the carrier to consult the legislation for the exact requirements
and to obtain all required permits before moving any oversize or overweight shipment.
MTO’s Oversize/Overweight Permit Office is not responsible for any omissions in these
documents. Further, MTO is not responsible for incomplete, inaccurate or missing
permits.
Descriptions of vehicle types, with detailed, current legal dimensions and
oversize/overweight vehicle and loads, are both available on the MTO website:
Oversize/Overweight Vehicles and Loads in Ontario
Safe, Productive and Infrastructure-Friendly Vehicles
Vehicle Weights and Dimensions – September 2022 244
Legal Dimensions (Size)
Width: 2.6 metres (8’ 6”)
Height: 4.15 metres (13’ 6”)
Length:
▪ Single Vehicle 12.5 metres (41’0”)
▪ Truck-tractor and semi-trailer(s) 23.0 metres (75’6”)
▪ Truck and towed trailer(s) in combination 23.0 metres (75’6”)
Legal Weights
MTO establishes maximum vehicle weights to preserve highway infrastructure and
ensure public safety. Legal weights are dependent on a variety of factors, including the
number of axles and so on.
Vehicle weights and dimensions are detailed in Regulation 413/05 of the Highway
Traffic Act.
Oversize/Overweight Permit Process
Permits are required for the movement of vehicles and their loads that exceed the legal
weights. Conditions are applied to the permits to minimize infrastructure damage and
enhance public safety.
Permits are required for the movement of vehicles and loads that exceed the legal
dimensions.
To obtain more information about oversize/overweight vehicles, contact the
Oversize/Overweight Permit Office:
From Ontario, 1-800-387-7736
From out of province, (416) 246-7166
Fax-in permit request, (905) 704-2545
Prior to obtaining an over-dimensional permit, there may be other requirements that
must be met in order to travel in Ontario (for example, Commercial Vehicle Operator’s
Registration, National Safety Code and so on).
Vehicle Weights and Dimensions – September 2022 245
There are four types of permits that the ministry issues:

Annual

Project

Single trip

Special vehicle configuration
Each oversize/overweight permit will have specific conditions attached, and these must
be adhered to strictly. The permit may be terminated for breach of any condition, and
the permit-holder may be subject to prosecution.
A permit grants the movement of oversize/overweight loads only on highways under
provincial jurisdiction. Municipalities may accept ministry permits or issue their own for
highways under their jurisdiction. The carrier must contact appropriate municipalities to
ensure compliance with the local bylaws.
For further information, go to the Oversize/Overweight Guide or contact:
Oversize/Overweight Permits
301 St. Paul Street, 3rd Floor
St Catharines, ON L2R 7R4
Tel: 1-800-387-7736 (within Ontario only) or 416-246-7166
Vehicle Weights and Dimensions – September 2022 246
Long Combination Vehicle (LCV) Permits and Routes
In Canada, any combination of vehicles over 25 metres overall length is considered to
be an LCV. Ontario LCVs are made up of a tractor pulling two full-length semi-trailers
up to 40 metres in overall length.
LCV Program has established stringent program conditions governing operators,
drivers, special LCV equipment and LCV operations. The conditions are specific, and
structured to achieve safety, environmental and economic objectives for the program.
Participating operators are responsible for verifying that drivers and instructors meet the
specified qualifications, training and experience, and have obtained an Ontario Trucking
Association (OTA) issued certificate. This includes ensuring that:
▪ LCV drivers are proven safe and reliable tractor trailer operators with a minimum
of 5 years of experience.
▪ All LCV drivers successfully complete specified LCV driver training that includes
classroom, yard and on-road training and evaluation including at least 1,000 km of
practical LCV experience.
▪ LCV instructors have at least 10,000 km of LCV experience.
Operators are required to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the
Ministry of Transportation signifying that the operator accepts responsibilities as
outlined in the program conditions. All approved operators must maintain a satisfactory
Carrier Safety Rating, not just in their LCV operations, but in all their operations.
Strict guidelines detailing the vehicle configuration, dimensions and weight allowances
are specified in the permit conditions. LCVs cannot be heavier than single tractor-
trailers. LCVs are required to have special equipment including horsepower minimums,
on-board speed recording devices, anti-lock braking systems (ABS), additional lighting,
rear signage and electronic stability control (ESC).
Vehicle Weights and Dimensions – September 2022 247
LCV permits have specific and detailed operating restrictions that outline where and
when participants may operate these vehicles. Permit conditions outline that LCVs may
only operate on approved routes, must not detour off approved routes for any reason,
including for road closures, and must not operate on any routes on the evening
preceding and the last evening of long weekends.
LCVs must not exceed a speed of 90 km/h, and must not travel in the Greater Toronto
Area or parts of the Ottawa area during morning and afternoon rush hours. LCVs are
not permitted to carry livestock or dangerous goods requiring a placard. LCVs must not
operate during inclement weather, poor visibility or poor road conditions.
Information on this program can be found on MTO’s website.
Safe, Productive, Infrastructure-Friendly (SPIF) Vehicles
As the name implies, SPIF vehicles are designed to be as productive as possible, while
ensuring that their performance characteristics meet or exceed national guidelines for
minimizing heavy-truck damage to roads and bridges.
Highway Traffic Act regulations are now causing a migration to 31 SPIF alternatives.
Each has its own schedule in the regulation describing the vehicle, its axles, suspension
and other required equipment, as well as required dimensions and allowable weights.
SPIF vehicles can have any body style and carry any commodity. There are no weight
reductions for carrying products like sand or gravel.
These vehicles provide superior stability and control, and can operate within acceptable
amounts of space when turning or making emergency manoeuvres. In addition, the
heavy five- and six-axle SPIF semi-trailers are equipped with an enhanced braking
system to minimize the risk of failure and warn the driver of potential problems.
Characteristics of SPIF vehicles are carefully prescribed and include that the vehicles
must be:
▪ Equipped with fixed axles, or a combination of fixed and self-steering axles,
that do not need to be raised for cornering
▪ Able to automatically distribute weight over all axles to minimize infrastructure
wear
▪ Tested against national performance targets to ensure satisfactory stability
and control, and reduced risk of rollovers and jack-knives
The following flowchart will aid in determining the grandfathering or your particular
vehicle:
Vehicle Weights and Dimensions – September 2022 248
Vehicle Weights and Dimensions – September 2022 249
More Information
The amended Ontario Regulation 413/05 of the Highway Traffic Act, titled Vehicle
Weights and Dimensions – for Safe, Productive and Infrastructure-Friendly Vehicles, is
available through the e-laws website.
Non-SPIF vehicles, excluding 53-foot semi-trailers and other long tractor-trailer
combinations, can legally operate in Ontario at reduced gross vehicle weights under
what is now a vehicle weights and dimensions, two-tier system.
Passenger Transportation Services – September 2022 250
Commercial Vehicle Operators’ Safety Manual
Module 12– Driver and Vehicle Licensing
Overview ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 251
Driver and Vehicle Licensing – Learning Objectives …………………………………………… 252
Vehicle Registration Requirements ………………………………………………………………….. 253
COMMERCIAL VEHICLE REGISTRATION ……………………………………………………………………………………….. 253
REGISTERED GROSS WEIGHT …………………………………………………………………………………………………… 254
Vehicle Licence Plates …………………………………………………………………………………… 254
FARM PLATES ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 254
DEALER PLATE AND SERVICE PLATE ………………………………………………………………………………………….. 255
Driver Licensing Requirements ……………………………………………………………………….. 257
LICENCE TYPES ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 257
AIR BRAKES ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 259
EXEMPTIONS …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 259
Passenger Transportation Services – September 2022 251
Overview
The Commercial Safety and Compliance Branch of the Ministry of Transportation of
Ontario has prepared this guide to assist and ensure that truck and bus companies
(commercial vehicle operators) operate safely and are compliant with the regulations
that govern highway use. Ontario, other provinces, the Government of Canada and the
transportation industry developed the rules and regulations to help reduce the number
and severity of collisions. Each jurisdiction has used the National Safety Code
standards as guides in drafting their own transportation safety legislation. This approach
promotes uniformity across Canada and helps to ensure that the transportation industry
remains as viable and sustainable as possible.
This guide applies to Ontario operators of commercial motor vehicles that are:
▪ Trucks, tractors, mobile equipment vehicles or trailers and/or any combination of
these vehicles that have a registered gross weight or actual weight of more than
4,500 kilograms
▪ Tow trucks, regardless of registered gross weight or actual weight
▪ Buses with a manufactured seating capacity of 10 persons or more, excluding
the driver
▪ Accessible vehicles and school purposes vehicles, depending upon use
The guide contains several modules, each dealing with a specific topic. To get a
complete picture of compliance requirements, you should obtain the complete guide. If
you intend to use certain parts of this guide only (for example, Module 1, “Getting
Started”) it is recommended that you also obtain the modules “Introduction” and
“Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration.”
This is a guide only and is not meant to be a substitute for the relevant statutes
and regulations. This guide highlights some important legal provisions but is not
an exhaustive description of all the laws that apply.
Passenger Transportation Services – September 2022 252
Driver and Vehicle Licensing – Learning Objectives
As you work through this module, you will be able to:
✓ Describe the vehicle registration requirements.
✓ Identify the types of vehicles that can be operated by a holder of each licence
class.
Passenger Transportation Services – September 2022 253
Vehicle Registration Requirements
In Ontario, an operator may register commercial vehicles (power units) with a wide
range of registered gross weights and or different declarations. Each type of plate
provides for different uses and exemptions. It is crucial that operators register their
vehicles appropriately. Failure to do so may result in the operator being charged with
an offence and/or having their vehicle detained until proper registration is obtained.
The following is a summary of what uses are authorized under each type of plate. This
is an unofficial version of Government of Ontario legal materials. For accurate
reference, refer to the official volumes. The Highway Traffic Act and regulations made
under the act may be viewed on the E-laws website.
Commercial Vehicle Registration
Section 1(1) of the Highway Traffic Act defines a commercial motor vehicle as follows:
“commercial motor vehicle” unless otherwise defined by regulation, means a motor
vehicle having attached to it a truck or delivery body and includes an ambulance, a
hearse, a casket wagon, a fire apparatus, a bus and a tractor used for hauling purposes
on a highway.
Most commercial motor vehicles must display a plate that has a white background and
black lettering. These plates will normally contain two alpha characters with four or five
numeric characters. You can use personalized or graphic-design plates, but need to
ensure that they are classified as commercial on the registration.
The plates for a commercial motor vehicle have to be displayed on the front and rear of
the vehicle in a clear and conspicuous location. The validation device must be put on
the front plate in the upper right corner. The crown on the plate cannot be covered or
obscured by any material.
Unlike personal vehicles, a commercial motor-vehicle validation device expires the last
day of the month that is shown on it.
If the commercial motor vehicle is used to travel outside of Ontario, the operator may be
required to obtain prorated plates. Prorated plates are similar to regular commercial
motor- vehicle plates, but display the letters PRP on them. More information on
prorated plates and the International Registration Program can be found at:
www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/trucks/irp/index.shtml
Passenger Transportation Services – September 2022 254
Registered Gross Weight
To determine the registered gross weight for a commercial motor vehicle, the weight of
a trailer must be added to the weight of the commercial motor vehicle, if the trailer
transmits to the highway a weight greater than 2,800 kilograms. The commercial motor
vehicle is then registered for the total gross weight of the towing vehicle and trailer
combined.
To determine the registered gross weight of a school bus, in kilograms, multiply the
seating capacity of the bus by 40 and add it to the empty weight of the bus. The total
will be the registered gross weight.
To determine the registered gross weight of a bus, other than a school bus, in
kilograms, multiply the seating capacity of the bus by 60 and add it to the empty weight
of the bus. The total will be the registered gross weight.
The fee tables to determine the cost for validation on commercial motor vehicles, farm
vehicles and buses are found in Ontario Regulation 628 (Vehicle Permits).
Vehicles that operate in excess of their registered gross weight are subject to penalty
under HTA 121(1).
Vehicle Licence Plates
Farm Plates
Effective January 1, 2015, new requests for farm plates will require the farmer to
provide one of four pieces of documentation to demonstrate they have a farm
business.

An accredited farm organization membership card;

A Gross Farm Income Exemption Certificate;

An exemption letter from the Agricultural, Food and Rural Affairs Tribunal; or

A letter from Agricorp.
A farmer renewing their farm plates will not have to provide documentation to
demonstrate they have a farm business.
Farm plates have reduced fees and are subject to certain restrictions.
Use of farm plates
Farm-plated trucks and towed trailers may be used for the transportation of farm
products, commodities, supplies, equipment, and building and maintenance items
Passenger Transportation Services – September 2022 255
owned by the farmer. Items include the trucking of gravel, rocks, sand and lumber to a
farm for use on the farm.
A farmer may only charge a fee to another farmer for trucking these items during the
months of September, October and November.
Farm-plated trucks and towed trailers may also be used for the farmer’s personal
transportation – including the movement of personal effects such as household and
hobby effects, as well as recreational and pleasure use.
Prohibited use of farm plates
Vehicles transporting logs, pulpwood or rocks from a forest, quarry or mine cannot use
farm plates.
Farm plates and logs/lumber
The cutting of trees for purposes of production of paper by pulp mills, or for purposes of
processing these logs for lumber, is a forestry operation. If it is demonstrated that the
transportation of these items is to supply the farm, then farm plates may be used.
Farm plates and rocks/sand/gravel
The removal of rocks or stone is a mining or quarry operation and not related to the
tilling or production of an agricultural product by a farmer. If it is demonstrated that the
transportation of these items is to supply the farm, (for example, laneways, building
construction, soil erosion), then farm plates may be used.
Dealer Plate and Service Plate
Dealer Plate/Permit
Ontario motor-vehicle dealers licensed under the Motor Vehicle Dealers Act are eligible
for the dealer plate/permit. This is a single portable plate with the word “DEALER” on
the left side and red alpha-numeric characters on a white background.
It is for exclusive use by motor-vehicle dealers, and only on those owned as part of the
dealer’s inventory of vehicles for sale. It may be used privately in Ontario, or for
purposes related to the sale of motor vehicles owned as part of the dealer’s inventory of
those for sale. Commercial motor vehicles operating under the authority of a dealer
plate must not be laden (with a load).
Passenger Transportation Services – September 2022 256
Service Plate/Permit
Service providers, including anyone who repairs, customizes, modifies, manufactures or
transports motor vehicles or trailers, will use the service plate/permit. This will indicate
the service class of “SPR.”
A service plate may be used:

On a trailer or motor vehicle, other than a motorcycle or motor-assisted bicycle,
for purposes related to the repair, road testing, customization or modification of
the vehicle, if it is in the possession of the person to whom the service plate is
issued

For the purpose of transporting the vehicle by a person engaged in that business

For the purpose of towing the vehicle by a person engaged in the business of
transporting vehicles

For purposes related to the manufacturing or sale of a trailer

For the purpose of towing a vehicle to a location where its load will be removed
or to an impound facility
Commercial motor vehicles and trailers operating under the authority of a service plate
must not be laden, unless the vehicle is being towed to an impound facility.
Private use of motor vehicles or trailers with a service plate is not permitted.
If the commercial motor vehicle is being operated in other jurisdictions, refer to
the information in the Module 2, Getting Started, to determine if the vehicle is
required to have an International Registration Plan (IRP) Cab Card.
Passenger Transportation Services – September 2022 257
Driver Licensing Requirements
Licence types
In Ontario, there are 15 different licence classes. Each one qualifies a driver to drive a
different type of vehicle. The class of licence have must match the type of vehicle
driven. See the chart below for the class of licence required for different vehicle types.
A driver may hold a licence in more than one class, but never hold more than one
driver’s licence. The operator must ensure that drivers are properly licensed for the
vehicles they drive.
Class of
Licence Types of Vehicles Allowed
May Also
Drive
Vehicle in
Class
A
Any tractor trailer or combination of motor vehicle and towed
vehicles where the towed vehicles exceed a total gross weight
of 4,600 kilograms
D, G and A
with
condition (R)
A with
condition (R)
Drivers with a restricted Class A licence condition would be
prevented from operating:

a motor vehicle pulling double trailers

a motor vehicle pulling a trailer with air-brakes.
D and G
B Any school purposes bus with designed seating capacity for
more than 24 passengers
C, D, E, F
and G
C Any regular bus with designed seating capacity for more than
24 passengers D, F and G
D
Any truck or motor-vehicle combination exceeding 11,000
kilograms (actual gross weight or registered gross weight),
provided the towed vehicle is not over 4,600 kilograms
G
E School purposes bus – maximum of 24-passenger capacity F and G
F Regular bus – maximum of 24-passenger capacity – and
ambulances G
G
Any car, van or small truck, or combination of vehicle and
towed vehicle, up to 11,000 kilograms, provided the towed
vehicle is not over 4,600 kilograms, but not:

a motorcycle or motor assisted bicycle

a bus carrying passengers

an ambulance in the course of providing ambulance service
as defined in the Ambulance Act
Passenger Transportation Services – September 2022 258
Class of
Licence Types of Vehicles Allowed
May Also
Drive
Vehicle in
Class
G1
Level 1 of graduated licensing – holders may drive Class G
vehicles when accompanied by a fully licensed driver with at
least four years of driving experience. Additional conditions
apply
G2
Level 2 of graduated licensing – holders may drive Class G
vehicles without an accompanying driver, but are subject to
certain conditions:

The number of young passengers that teen G2 drivers can
carry will be limited from midnight to 5 a.m.

Initially, G2 drivers 19 or under can carry only one passenger
aged 19 or under
After the first six months, and until the G2 driver earns a full G
licence or turns 20, they can carry only three passengers aged
19 or under
M
Motorcycles, including a limited-speed motorcycle (motor
scooter) and a motor-assisted bicycle (moped). Holders may
also drive a Class G vehicle under the conditions that apply to
a class G1 licence-holder
M with
condition L
(motor
scooters and
mopeds)
M1
Motorcycles, including a limited-speed motorcycle (motor
scooter) and a motor-assisted bicycle (moped).
Level 1 of graduated licensing. Holders may drive a
motorcycle under certain conditions
M with
condition L
(motor
scooters and
mopeds)
M2
Motorcycles, including a limited-speed motorcycle (motor
scooter) and a motor-assisted bicycle (moped).
Level 2 of graduated licensing. Holders may drive a
motorcycle, but only with a zero blood-alcohol level. Holders
may also drive a Class G vehicle under the conditions that
apply to a class G1 licence-holder
M with
condition L
(motor
scooters and
mopeds)
M with
condition L
(LSM/Moped)
Limited-speed motorcycle or mopeds only.
Limited-speed motorcycles are motorcycles with a maximum
speed of 70 km/h. If manufactured after 1988, they are
identified by a label on the vehicle that indicates it is a
“LSM/MVL.”
Passenger Transportation Services – September 2022 259
Class of
Licence Types of Vehicles Allowed
May Also
Drive
Vehicle in
Class
M2 with
condition L
(LSM/Moped)
Limited-speed motorcycle (LSM) or moped only
Driver-licence testing is done by DriveTest offices throughout the province. General
information on driver licensing can be on the MTO website.
Air Brakes
Any driver operating a vehicle equipped with a full air-brake system, or air-over-
hydraulic brake system, is required to have an endorsement on their driver’s licence. In
Ontario, this is called a “Z” endorsement.
Exemptions
A driver of a class D commercial motor vehicle that is registered with farm plates
carrying farm products, supplies or equipment not for compensation, or being used for
personal use is required only to have a Class G licence.
A truck or auto technician with a minimum Class G licence is allowed to operate any
higher class of vehicle for the purposes of road testing, including a vehicle with air
brakes.
A driver of a tow truck towing a disabled vehicle is exempt from a Class A driver’s
licence, provided that they have the appropriate licence to drive the tow truck.
Passenger Transportation Services – September 2022 260
Commercial Vehicle Operators’ Safety Manual
Module 13 – Passenger Transportation Services
Overview ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 261
Operating Authority ……………………………………………………………………………………….. 262
THE ROLE OF THE ONTARIO MINISTRY OF TRANSPORTATION …………………………………………………………… 262
PASSENGER TRANSPORTATION SERVICES ……………………………………………………………………………………. 262
Passenger Transportation Services – September 2022 261
Overview
The Commercial Safety and Compliance Branch of the Ministry of Transportation of
Ontario has prepared this guide to assist and ensure that truck and bus companies
(commercial vehicle operators) operate safely and are compliant with the regulations
that govern highway use. Ontario, other provinces, the Government of Canada and the
transportation industry developed the rules and regulations to help reduce the number
and severity of collisions. Each jurisdiction has used the National Safety Code
standards as guides in drafting their own transportation safety legislation. This approach
promotes uniformity across Canada and helps to ensure that the transportation industry
remains as viable and sustainable as possible.
This guide applies to Ontario operators of commercial motor vehicles that are:
▪ Trucks, tractors, mobile equipment vehicles or trailers and/or any combination of
these vehicles that have a registered gross weight or actual weight of more than
4,500 kilograms
▪ Tow trucks, regardless of registered gross weight or actual weight
▪ Buses with a manufactured seating capacity of 10 persons or more, excluding
the driver
▪ Accessible vehicles and school purposes vehicles, depending upon use
The guide contains several modules, each dealing with a specific topic. To get a
complete picture of compliance requirements, you should obtain the complete guide. If
you intend to use certain parts of this guide only (for example, Module 1, “Getting
Started”) it is recommended that you also obtain the modules “Introduction” and
“Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration.
”
This is a guide only and is not meant to be a substitute for the relevant statutes
and regulations. This guide highlights some important legal provisions but is not
an exhaustive description of all the laws that apply.
Passenger Transportation Services – September 2022 262
Operating Authority
The role of the Ontario Ministry of Transportation
The Ministry of Transportation promotes and monitors the safe operation of all people operating
vehicles, including those who provide transportation services using commercial motor vehicles.
This ensures that all vehicles are licensed and operate in accordance with provincial legislation.
It is essential for this important sector of Ontario’s economy to continue to achieve the highest
safety standards.
Passenger transportation services
People providing a passenger transportation service in a commercial motor vehicle may require
a public-vehicles licence.
A licence is not required by a passenger transportation service that is operated within one
municipality.
A public-vehicle licence can be obtained from the Ontario Highway Transport Board (OHTB).
This licence authorizes a person to operate a commercial vehicle for hire, to transport
passengers. The services requiring a public-vehicles licence may include:
▪ Charter (site-seeing and tours)
▪ Scheduled services (services provided between two locations on a scheduled basis)
▪ Industrial (providing a transportation service under a contract for more than 30 days)
Information on the OHTB can be found at: www.ohtb.gov.on.ca/
Ontario Highway Transport Board
151 Bloor Street West, 10th Floor
Toronto, ON M5S 2T5
Canada
Telephone: (416) 326-6732
Fax: (416) 326-6738
e-mail: ohtb@mto.gov.on.ca
The Public Vehicles Act can be found on the E-Laws website.
Cargo Securement – September 2022 263
Commercial Vehicle Operators’ Safety Manual
Module 14 – Cargo Securement
Overview ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 264
Cargo Securement – Learning Objectives …………………………………………………………. 265
Background ………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 266
Requirements for Securement Devices …………………………………………………………….. 267
PROPER USE OF TIE-DOWNS ……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 267
USE OF UNMARKED TIE-DOWNS ……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 267
UNRATED AND UNMARKED ANCHOR POINTS ON COMMERCIAL VEHICLES …………………………………………… 267
FRONT-END STRUCTURES ON COMMERCIAL VEHICLES ………………………………………………………………….. 267
SUMMARY OF CARGO-SECUREMENT STANDARDS …………………………………………………………………………. 268
General Securement Requirements …………………………………………………………………. 268
CARGO PLACEMENT AND RESTRAINT …………………………………………………………………………………………. 268
Minimum Working-Load Limits ………………………………………………………………………… 269
MINIMUM NUMBER OF TIE-DOWNS …………………………………………………………………………………………….. 269
SPECIAL RULE FOR SPECIAL-PURPOSE VEHICLES ………………………………………………………………………… 270
Commodity-Specific Securement Requirements ………………………………………………… 270
Other Sources of Help ……………………………………………………………………………………. 273
Cargo Securement – September 2022 264
Overview
The Commercial Safety and Compliance Branch of the Ministry of Transportation of
Ontario has prepared this guide to assist and ensure that truck and bus companies
(commercial vehicle operators) operate safely and are compliant with the regulations
that govern highway use. Ontario, other provinces, the Government of Canada and the
transportation industry developed the rules and regulations to help reduce the number
and severity of collisions. Each jurisdiction has used the National Safety Code
standards as guides in drafting their own transportation safety legislation. This approach
promotes uniformity across Canada and helps to ensure that the transportation industry
remains as viable and sustainable as possible.
This guide applies to Ontario operators of commercial motor vehicles that are:
▪ Trucks, tractors, mobile equipment vehicles or trailers and/or any combination of
these vehicles that have a registered gross weight or actual weight of more than
4,500 kilograms
▪ Tow trucks, regardless of registered gross weight or actual weight
▪ Buses with a manufactured seating capacity of 10 persons or more, excluding
the driver
▪ Accessible vehicles and school purposes vehicles, depending upon use
The guide contains several modules, each dealing with a specific topic. To get a
complete picture of compliance requirements, you should obtain the complete guide. If
you intend to use certain parts of this guide only (for example, Module 1, “Getting
Started”) it is recommended that you also obtain the modules “Introduction” and
“Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration.
”
This is a guide only and is not meant to be a substitute for the relevant statutes
and regulations. This guide highlights some important legal provisions but is not
an exhaustive description of all the laws that apply.
Cargo Securement – September 2022 265
Cargo Securement – Learning Objectives
As you work through this module, you will be able to:
✓ Obtain your own copy of the National Safety Code Standard 10, Cargo
Securement.
✓ Understand the application of the performance criteria that all cargo-
securement systems must be capable of meeting.
✓ Understand the relationship between the general securement rules and those
rules for specific commodities.
✓ Identify commodities that have specific cargo-securement requirements, in
addition to the general requirements.
✓ Identify possible training sources that may help you ensure compliance to
Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act and National Safety Code Standard 10.
Cargo Securement – September 2022 266
Background
Load-securement requirements are found in Section 111 of the Highway Traffic Act
(HTA) and in Ontario Regulation 363/04. This regulation adopts National Safety Code
(NSC) Standard 10, Cargo Securement, as the standard for securing loads in Ontario.
The intent of this national standard is to:
▪ Reduce the number of accidents caused by cargo shifting or falling from
commercial vehicles.
▪ Harmonize to the greatest extent practicable US, Canadian and Mexican cargo-
securement regulations.
A copy of the National Standard is available on the CCMTA website
Application of the Regulations
Cargo-securement standards apply to all types of cargo, except items exempt from
Division 3 of NSC Standard 10. These exemptions include commodities in bulk that
lack structure or fixed shape (for example liquids, gases, grain, liquid concrete, sand,
gravel, aggregates), and that are transported in a tank, hopper, box or similar device
forming part of the structure of a commercial motor vehicle.
However, Section 111(2) of the HTA makes it an offence if any load or portion of the
load may become dislodged or fall, leak, spill or blow from the vehicle.
Cargo-securement requirements apply to all operators transporting goods on Ontario
highways, regardless of weight. This section specifies that the goods must be secured
so the vehicle can be operated safely when loaded.
Performance Criteria
The requirements included in NSC Standard 10 require all cargo-securement systems
to withstand specified minimum amounts of force in the forward, rearward, sideways
and downward directions.
Generally, operators are not required to conduct testing of cargo-securement systems
to determine whether they comply with the performance requirements. The standard
states clearly that cargo secured according to the general rules and the commodity-
specific rules is considered to meet the specified performance criteria.
Cargo Securement – September 2022 267
Requirements for Securement Devices
Cargo-securement standards require that all devices and systems used to secure cargo
to, or within, a vehicle must be capable of meeting the performance criteria. All vehicle
structures, systems, parts and components used to secure cargo must be in proper
working order when in use. This means that they cannot be damaged or weakened, so
as to affect their performance.
The cargo-securement standard has a reference for manufacturing standards for certain
types of tie-downs, including steel strapping, chain, synthetic webbing, wire rope, and
cordage. Changes in the references do not necessarily mean that the older securement
devices need to be replaced.
Proper Use of Tie-Downs
Each tie-down must be attached and secured so that it doesn’t become loose,
unfastened, opened or released while the vehicle is moving. All tie-downs and other
components of a cargo-securement system must be located inside any rub rails,
whenever practical. Also, edge protection must be used whenever a tie-down would be
subject to wear or cutting at the point where it touches an article of cargo. The edge
protection must resist wear, cutting and crushing.
Use of Unmarked Tie-Downs
The cargo-securement standards do not allow the use of a tie-down, or component of a
tie-down, to secure cargo to a vehicle unless it is marked by the manufacturer with
respect to its working load limit.
Unrated and Unmarked Anchor Points on Commercial Vehicles
The cargo-securement rules do not require the rating and marking of anchor points on a
vehicle or on cargo. While vehicle manufacturers are encouraged to rate and mark
anchor points, the new rules do not include this as a requirement.
Front-End Structures on Commercial Vehicles
Rules concerning front-end structures or header boards are included in NSC Standard
10, and cover commercial vehicles transporting cargo that is in contact with the front-
end structure of the vehicle.
Cargo Securement – September 2022 268
Summary of Cargo-Securement Standards
The national standard is comprised of general provisions for all cargo and other
securement requirements for specific types of cargo such as logs, dressed lumber,
metal coils, concrete pipe and paper rolls. The other securement requirements for
specific cargo is applied, in addition to the general requirements.
Securement systems or devices used to secure cargo on a vehicle must meet the
performance criteria within the standard and prevent cargo from moving or shifting on
the vehicle when it is subjected to forces caused by accelerating, braking, emergency
lane changes, cresting a hill or any event up to, but short of, a crash.
Securement systems are considered compliant with the national standard, provided that
they meet the general provisions and any requirements for specific types of cargo. Tie-
downs, blocking, bracing and friction mats are common devices used to secure cargo,
and must meet the aggregate working-load limit and minimum tie-down requirements in
the standard.
General Securement Requirements
Cargo must be secured firmly on or within a vehicle by:
▪ Structures of adequate strength
▪ Dunnage (loose materials used to support and protect cargo) or Dunnage bags
(inflatable bags intended to fill space between articles of cargo or between cargo
and the wall of the vehicle)
▪ Shoring bars
▪ Tie-downs
▪ A combination of the above
Cargo Placement and Restraint
Articles of cargo that are likely to roll must be restrained by chocks, wedges, a cradle or
other equivalent means to prevent rolling. They must remain fastened or secured while
the vehicle is moving.
Articles of cargo placed beside each other and secured by tie-downs placed across the
cargo must be:
▪ Placed in direct contact with each other
▪ Prevented from shifting toward each other while the vehicle is moving
Cargo Securement – September 2022 269
Minimum Working-Load Limits
The aggregate working-load limit of the tie-downs used for an article or a group of
articles of cargo must be at least 50 percent of the weight of that article or group of
articles.
The aggregate working-load limit is the sum of:

The working load limit for each tie-down that goes from an anchor point on the
vehicle to an attachment point on an article of cargo (direct tie-down)
PLUS

The working-load limit for each tie-down that goes from an anchor point on the
vehicle, through or over the cargo, and then attaches to another anchor point on
the vehicle (indirect tie-down)
Minimum Number of Tie-Downs
The cargo-securement system used to secure cargo must consist of the minimum
required number of tie-downs. This requirement is in addition to complying with rules
concerning the aggregate working load limit.
When an article of cargo is not blocked or positioned to prevent movement in the
forward direction, the number of tie-downs needed depends on the length and weight of
the articles.
There must be at least:
▪ One tie-down for articles 1.52 metres or less in length, and 500 kilograms or less
in weight
▪ Two tie-downs if the article is:
o 1.52 metres (five feet) or less in length and more than 500 kilograms
(1,100 lb.) in weight
o Greater than 1.52 metres (five feet) but less than 3.04 metres (10 feet),
regardless of weight
For example, one tie-down is required if the article of cargo is 1.52 metres in length (five
feet) and does not exceed 500 kilograms (1,100 lb). If the article of cargo is greater
than 1.52 metres in length but less than 3.04 metres, then two tie-downs would be
needed, regardless of the weight.
When an article of cargo is not blocked or positioned to prevent forward movement and
the item is longer than 3.04 metres (10 feet) in length, then it must be secured by:
Cargo Securement – September 2022 270

Two tie-downs for the for the first 3.04 metres (10 feet) of cargo

One tie-down for each additional 3.04 metres (10 feet) or fraction thereof
If an article is blocked or braced by a header board, bulkhead or other articles that are
adequately secured to prevent forward movement, then it must be secured by at least:
▪ One tie-down for every 3.04 metres of article length, or fraction thereof
Special Rule for Special-Purpose Vehicles
Generally, the basic rules concerning the minimum number of tie-downs do not apply to
a vehicle transporting one or more articles of cargo such as machinery or manufactured
structural items (for example, steel or concrete beams, crane booms, girders, trusses
and so on), which because of their design, size, shape or weight must be secured by
special methods.
However, any article of cargo carried on that vehicle must be adequately secured by
devices that are capable of meeting the performance requirements and the working-
load limit requirements.
Commodity-Specific Securement Requirements
Detailed requirements have been adopted for the securement of the following
commodities:

Logs

Dressed lumber

Metal coils

Paper rolls

Concrete pipe

Inter-modal containers

Small vehicles (under 4,500 kg)

Heavy vehicles

Crushed vehicles

Roll-on/roll-off or hook-lift containers

Large boulders
Cargo Securement – September 2022 271
For the complete securement requirements for these specific commodities, refer to NSC
Standard 10.

Logs
The commodity-specific rules for securing logs apply to the transportation of almost all
logs, with the following exceptions:

Loads that consist of no more than four logs may be transported using the
general cargo-securement rules

Firewood, stumps, log debris and logs may be transported in a vehicle or
container enclosed on all sides and strong enough to contain them

Dressed Lumber and Similar Building Products
The rules in this section apply to the transportation of bundles of dressed lumber,
packaged lumber or building products such as plywood, gypsum board or other
materials of similar shape.
Building products that are not bundled or packaged must be treated as loose items and
transported using the general cargo-securement rules. For the purpose of this section,
the term “bundle” refers to packages of lumber, building materials or similar products
that are unitized for securement as a single article of cargo.
This section does not apply to building products loaded on pallets or to packages of
engineered wood products such as beams or trusses. Dressed lumber and similar
bundled building products transported in enclosed trucks or trailers can be transported
using the general cargo-securement rules.

Metal Coils
The rules in this section apply to the transportation of one or more metal coils, which
individually or grouped together weigh 2,268 kilograms (5,000 lb.) or more. Shipments
of metal coils that weigh less than 2,268 kilograms (5,000 lb.) may be secured using the
general cargo-securement rules.

Paper Rolls
The rules for securing paper rolls apply to shipments of them, which individually or
together weigh 2,268 kilograms (5,000 lb.) or more. Shipments of paper rolls that weigh
less than this, as well as paper rolls bundled on a pallet, may be secured either using
the rules in this section or the general cargo-securement rules.
Cargo Securement – September 2022 272

Concrete Pipe
The rules in this section apply to the transportation of concrete pipe on flatbed trailers
and vehicles, and on lowboy trailers. Concrete pipe that is bundled tightly together into a
single rigid article with no tendency to roll, and concrete pipe loaded in a sided vehicle
or container, must be secured using the general rules.

Inter-modal Containers
The requirements for inter-modal containers cover the transportation of these
containers on container chassis and other types of vehicles. Inter-modal containers are
freight containers designed and constructed to permit them to be used in two or more
modes of transportation (for example, road and ship). Cargo contained within inter-
modal containers must be secured using the general cargo-securement rules or, if
applicable, the commodity-specific rules.

Automobiles, Light Trucks and Vans
This portion of the new standards applies to the transportation of automobiles, light
trucks, vans and equipment that operate on wheels or tracks, which individually weigh
4,500 kilograms (9,920 lb.) or less. Individual vehicles that are heavier than this must be
secured in the same manner as heavy vehicles, equipment and machinery.

Heavy Vehicles, Equipment and Machinery
These requirements apply to the transportation of heavy vehicles, equipment and
machinery that operate on wheels or tracks, such as loaders, bulldozers, tractors and
power shovels, which individually weigh 4,500 kilograms (9,920 lb.) or more. Those
lighter than 4,500 kilograms (9,920 lb.) may be secured using these rules; the rules for
automobiles, light trucks and vans; or the general freight requirements.

Flattened or Crushed Vehicles
The transportation of vehicles such as automobiles, light trucks and vans that have
been flattened or crushed for recycling is covered by these requirements. This does not
include vehicles that have been damaged in a collision and still have wheels attached.

Roll-on/Roll-off or Hook-Lift Containers
These rules apply to the transportation of roll-on/roll-off or hook-lift containers. A hook-
lift container is specialized, primarily used to contain and transport materials in the
waste, recycling, construction, demolition and scrap industries. These containers are
handled by specialized vehicles on which the container is loaded and unloaded onto a
tilt-frame body by a moveable hook arm.
Cargo Securement – September 2022 273

Large Boulders
The rules in this section apply to the transportation of any large piece of natural,
irregularly shaped rock weighing more than 5,000 kilograms (11,000 lb.), or with a
volume of more than two cubic metres on an open vehicle, or in a vehicle whose sides
are not designed and rated to contain such cargo.
Pieces of rock weighing more than 100 kilograms (220 pounds), but less than 5,000
kilograms (11,000 pounds) must be secured, either using this section, or using the
general cargo securement rules, including:

Rock contained within a vehicle which is designed to carry such cargo

Secured individually by tie-downs, provided that each piece can be stabilized and
adequately secured
Rock that has been formed or cut to a shape, and provides a stable base, must also be
secured, as described in this section or with the general-securement rules.
Other Sources of Help
The following websites may be useful in obtaining information on cargo securement.
A copy of the National Standard is available on the CCMTA website
Driver’s Handbook on Cargo Securement
NSC Standard 10 interpretation documents
Terms of Reference – September 2022 274
Commercial Vehicle Operators’ Safety Manual
Module 15 – Terms of Reference
Abstract
A record of carrier identification and performance data.
Accessible vehicle
Means a passenger vehicle or a bus,
▪ that is designed or modified to be used for the purpose of transporting persons
with disabilities and is used for that purpose, whether or not the vehicle is also
used to transport persons without disabilities, and
▪ that is operated,
o for compensation by, for or on behalf of any person, club, agency or
organization, or
o not for compensation by, for or on behalf of any person, club, agency or
organization that holds itself out as providing a transportation service to
persons with disabilities.
Actual weight
In the case of a truck towing a trailer, means the weight of the truck, when loaded or
empty, plus any weight transferred to the truck by an attached trailer, including a house
trailer, an object, a device or an implement of husbandry. The weight transmitted to the
road by a towed vehicle is not included in the truck’s actual weight.
The empty weight of a truck may be found on the vehicle portion of the truck’s permit
(ownership) beside the VEH WT heading and is in kilograms. Note: VEH WT may have
been determined before the installation of the truck’s cargo body, equipment, fuel, etc.
Adjusted Fleet Size
The number of commercial motor vehicles operated in Ontario by a carrier, plus any
double shifted commercial motor vehicles and then reduced to account for the
percentage of travel within Ontario.
Terms of Reference – September 2022 275
Annual Inspection Certificate
Means a vehicle inspection record evidencing compliance with the inspection
requirements and performance standards set out in NSC Standard 11B (Truck) as
modified by Schedule 3, NSC Standard 11B (Trailer) as modified by Schedule 4 or NSC
Standard 11B (Bus) as modified by Part I of Schedule 5, as appropriate to the type of
vehicle indicated on the record.
Annual Inspection Report
Means, in relation to a vehicle inspection that results in the issuance of an annual
inspection sticker, a report containing the information required by clause 10 (1) (d) of
Regulation 601 (Motor Vehicle Inspection Stations) made under the Highway Traffic Act.
Annual Inspection Sticker
Means a vehicle inspection sticker evidencing compliance with the inspection
requirements and performance standards set out in NSC Standard 11B (Truck) as
modified by Schedule 3, NSC Standard 11B (Trailer) as modified by Schedule 4 or NSC
Standard 11B (Bus) as modified by Part I of Schedule 5, as appropriate to the type of
vehicle indicated on the sticker.
Audit – See Facility Audit
Bus
Means a motor vehicle designed for carrying ten or more passengers, excluding the
driver, and used for the transportation of persons.
Cab Card
A vehicle permit issued by a Canadian jurisdiction, which allows travel into other
Canadian jurisdictions. This is considered an Ontario permit for out-of-province
operators.
Cancellation
The Registrar of Motor Vehicles may cancel the CVOR Certificate, the number plate
and plate portion of vehicle permits and operating privileges of a carrier.
Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV)
A commercial motor vehicle includes a truck or highway tractor with a gross weight or
registered gross weight of more than 4500 kg, a bus with a seating capacity for ten or
Terms of Reference – September 2022 276
more passengers or a tow truck. Exceptions are noted in Regulation 419/15 under the
Highway Traffic Act.
Commercial Vehicle
Includes commercial motor vehicles and the trailers they may tow.
Commercial Vehicle Inspection Report (CVIR)
An inspection report completed by an enforcement officer or police officer of a complete
mechanical inspection of a commercial vehicle (i.e. a Level 1 or Level 5 inspection).
This inspection usually takes place on road, at a truck inspection station or at the
carrier’s place of business. Safety defects, if any, are reported on this form.
Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration (CVOR) Certificate
A Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration (CVOR) Certificate is issued when a
carrier is registered in the Ministry of Transportation CVOR System as a carrier. A copy
of the certificate must be carried in each commercial motor vehicle operated under that
CVOR.
Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration (CVOR) System
An automated computer system that monitors the on-road performance of all carriers
utilizing Ontario roadways.
Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA)
Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) is an international organization comprised
of Canada, the US, Mexico and Puerto Rico. This agreement provides uniform vehicle
inspection criteria across North America.
CVOR Abstract (Level I)
A one-page summary of a carrier’s performance over the previous 24-month period,
accessible by the general public.
Carrier CVOR Abstract (Level II)
A detailed history of a carrier’s performance including a summary of performance over
the previous 24-month period, accessible only by the carrier or an authorized agent of
the carrier. Details of collisions, convictions and inspections over the previous five years
are also included.
CVOR Driver Abstract
Terms of Reference – September 2022 277
A summary of a driver’s performance in Ontario while operating commercial motor
vehicles over the previous five-year period including moving and non-moving violations,
collisions and inspections.
Deputy Registrar
The Deputy Registrar of Motor Vehicles appointed under the Highway Traffic Act and
designated by the Registrar of Motor Vehicles to act on his/her behalf.
Dispute
For the purposes of this document, a dispute is a written response that a carrier may file
with the Registrar within 30 days of notice of a proposed carrier Safety Rating.
Double-Shifted
A vehicle operated by two individual drivers, who have separate shifts consisting of a
minimum of 8 hours each, in a 24-hour period more than 4 days per week. The carrier
must have sufficient drivers and supporting logs/time records to qualify for double shift
status.
Emergency vehicle
means,
▪ a road service vehicle operated by or on behalf of a road authority,
▪ a vehicle used by a person employed by or on behalf of a police force, or
▪ a vehicle used by or on behalf of a public utility.
Event
Collisions, convictions and inspections involving commercial vehicles that are monitored
by the CVOR System.
Expiry Date
The expiry date assigned by the Registrar to a CVOR certificate. Unless renewed, the
certificate is not valid after the expiry date.
Facility Audit
The facility audit is a “risk based” assessment of the elements known to cause or
contribute to commercial motor vehicle (cmv) collisions. The Facility Audit consists of
THREE Profiles: 1) Qualifications Records and Reporting, 2) Hours of Service and 3)
Vehicle Maintenance.
Terms of Reference – September 2022 278
Fleet Limitation
A sanction imposed by the Registrar limiting the number of commercial motor vehicles
that a carrier may operate within Ontario during the period of a sanction. Every vehicle
operated within Ontario during a fleet limitation must be accompanied by an original
fleet limitation certificate issued by the Deputy Registrar.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
The GVWR of a vehicle is a weight rating established by the manufacturer that indicates
the maximum gross weight that the vehicle is designed for and includes the empty
weight of the vehicle with the maximum payload. The GVWR of a vehicle is stated on
the manufacturer’s federal compliance label – usually on the driver’s door or door post
on a truck or on the left side near the front on trailers.
Gross Weight
The Gross Weight of a vehicle is the actual weight of the vehicle as would be
determined by weighing the entire vehicle and its load on a weigh scale.
Highway Traffic Act (HTA)
HTA with its regulations governs such things as vehicle registration, driver licensing,
vehicle equipment, vehicle safety inspection, weight, length and height of vehicles/load,
security of loads, school buses, Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration, Registrar
of Motor Vehicle sanctions, hours of work and retention of records.
Hours of Work
Regulated driving and on-duty hours for a driver of a commercial motor vehicle.
International Registration Plan (IRP)
Manages the program that allows commercial vehicle registration revenues to be
distributed among the jurisdictions in which carriers travel.
Inter-city Bus
A bus commonly known as a motor coach that has,
a) Motive power mounted to the rear of the front axle,
b) Air-ride or torsion bar suspension,
c) A baggage area that is separate from the passenger cabin, and
d) A passenger cabin with reclining seats for passengers.
Terms of Reference – September 2022 279
Intervention(s)
A number of disciplinary actions that may be imposed on a carrier. These include, but
are not limited to a warning letter, an interview, a facility audit, and/or a sanction.
Licence Appeal Tribunal (LAT)
A tribunal that hears carrier appeals of sanction decisions made by the Registrar of
Motor Vehicles. Formally known as the Licence Suspension Appeal Board (LSAB).
Motor Vehicle Inspection Station (MVIS)
An inspection station authorized by the ministry to inspect vehicles for certification of
mechanical fitness and issuance of annual inspection stickers and Safety Standards
Certificates (SSC).
National Safety Code
A series of safety related performance standards that are national in scope and
designed to promote the safe operation of commercial motor vehicles, many of which
have been incorporated into the Highway Traffic Act and its regulations.
Notice of Appeal
A notice filed by a carrier to the Licence Appeal Tribunal (LAT) to appeal a decision
made by the Registrar of Motor Vehicles.
Operator
The term operator is used in this document to describe the person or company who
operates a truck and is directly or indirectly responsible for the operation of the vehicle,
conduct of the driver and carriage of goods or passengers. The operator may own or
lease the vehicle. Operator is also used to distinguish the operator from driver. The
driver may be the operator, or a person hired by the operator. A person who is the
operator and the driver of a vehicle is required to comply with the rules for both the
driver and the operator.
Operating Licence
A licence issued to operate public vehicles on a for-hire basis under the Motor Vehicle
Transport Act or Public Vehicles Act.
Owner/Operator
A person who owns a commercial motor vehicle that sub-contracts their services to a
licensed carrier.
Terms of Reference – September 2022 280
Public Vehicles Act
The PVA provides legislation for the movement of for-hire buses within the province.
Registered Gross Weight (RGW)
The RGW determines the fee paid for a truck or bus licence plates. RGW is based on,
and must be at least equal to the actual weight of the truck and its heaviest load or in
the case of a bus the empty weight of the bus plus 60 kg per passenger (40 kg per
passenger for school buses) based on the seating capacity of the bus. Generally, the
weight of a towed trailer and its heaviest load are added to the RGW of the truck. Load
includes the driver, passengers, fuel, equipment, tools, etc. A trailer does not have a
RGW.
The RGW is indicated on the right portion (plate portion) of a truck or bus ownership, to
the right of “REG. GROSS WT” and is in kilograms. One kilogram equals 2.204 pounds
and one pound equals 0.4536 kilograms.
Safety Record
A record kept and obtained by the Registrar relating to a carrier or related carrier that is
normally considered in issuing sanctions and must be considered by the Registrar in
issuing a Safety Rating.
Sanction
A sanction is the most severe disciplinary measure. It may result in a fleet limitation,
plate seizure, or suspension or cancellation of a carrier’s operating privileges.
School bus
A bus that
▪ is painted chrome yellow, and
▪ displays on the front and rear thereof the words “school bus” and on the rear
thereof the words “do not pass when signals flashing”.
School purposes bus
A bus while being operated by or under a contract with a school board or other authority
in charge of a school for the transportation of adults with a developmental disability or
children.
Terms of Reference – September 2022 281
School purposes accessible bus
An accessible bus while being operated by or under a contract with a school board or
other authority in charge of a school for the transportation of adults with a
developmental disability or children.
School purposes accessible van
An accessible van while being operated by or under a contract with a school board or
other authority in charge of a school for the transportation of adults with a
developmental disability or children.
School purposes vehicle
A passenger vehicle while being operated by or under a contract with a school board or
other authority in charge of a school for the transportation of adults with a
developmental disability or children.
Semi-Annual Inspection Certificate
A vehicle inspection record evidencing compliance with the inspection requirements and
performance standards set out in NSC Standard 11B (Bus) as modified by Part I and II
of Schedule 5.
Semi-Annual Inspection Report
In relation to a vehicle inspection that results in the issuance of a semi-annual
inspection sticker, a report containing the information required by clause 10 (1) (e) of
Regulation 601 (Motor Vehicle Inspection Stations) made under the Highway Traffic Act.
Semi-Annual Inspection Sticker
A vehicle inspection sticker evidencing compliance with the inspection requirements and
performance standards set out in NSC Standard 11B (Bus) as modified by Part I and II
of Schedule 5.
Threshold
The standard against which a carrier’s performance is measured. The threshold
represents 100% of a carrier’s allowable violation rate based on industry performance
data.
Total Ontario Fleet Size
Total number of commercial motor vehicles normally operated by a carrier in Ontario.

Questions?

CVOR Safety Manual

Title Description

Title Description

OOS)

Keeping It

Simple!

Learn More About the CVOR Cheat Sheet

Copyright 2024 Safety Dawg Inc.

CVOR.ca website is not affiliated with the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO). We are not the Government!