Know Your Rights:
Canadian Hours of Service Rules
In the event that a public service vehicle or commercial truck is stopped and the driver is found not to be in compliance with the hours of service requirements, a short-term suspension may be imposed.
Hours of Service
 New Hours of Service requirements for Commercial Vehicle Drivers took effect on January 1, 2007. These new regulations require:
- a daily minimum of 10 hours off-duty;
- a minimum 8 consecutive hours of off-duty time before recommencing driving after reaching the on-duty, driving or a new elapsed time limit;
- a daily maximum driving time of 13 hours;
- a daily maximum on-duty time of 14 hours;
- an elapsed time limit of 16 hours from the last off-duty period of 8 hours or greater;
- a minimum rest period for team drivers using a vehicle equipped with sleeper berth accommodations of 4 consecutive hours;
- a maximum 70-hour cycle over 7 days and a maximum 120-hour cycle over 14 days;
- a minimum of 24 consecutive hours off-duty, at least once every 14 days for all drivers.
Daily Trip Inspection
This standard was created to ensure early identification of vehicle problems and defects, and to prevent the operation of vehicles with conditions that are likely to cause or contribute to a collision or vehicle breakdown.
This standard places several requirements on the carrier, prohibiting a carrier from allowing an un-inspected or unsafe vehicle to be operated, ensuring defect are corrected and providing drivers with a schedule of inspection items.
In Addition Drivers Must:
- Not drive a commercial vehicle unless it has been inspected according to the Regulations
- Ensure that required inspections are carried out and defects reported to the carrier according to the Regulations
- Complete the required inspection report, carry it in the vehicle, and provide it to an inspector on demand
- Monitor the vehicle while driving, record defects found and report them to the carrier prior to next scheduled inspection
- Report major defects immediately and not operate vehicle until the major defect has been corrected
- Forward the inspection report to the carrier within 20 days.
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