Picture this: you’re cruising down the road, fresh coffee in hand, ready for the day ahead. Just as you take your first sip—flashing lights appear in your rearview mirror. You’re being pulled over. You run through the checklist in your mind: seatbelt fastened, phone put away, speed okay…
Then comes the surprise: it’s not a police officer—it’s an MTO inspector.
You’re asked for your license, insurance, and commercial documentation—wait, what?
If that caught you off guard, you’re not alone. Many drivers don’t realize that vehicles over 4,500 kg are considered commercial vehicles under Ontario law. That classification comes with several responsibilities: daily inspections, Hours of Service compliance, proper load securement, and possibly adherence to Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) regulations.
So, whether you’re surprised—or already think you’re on the right track—let’s dig into the key components of CVOR compliance and see where you stand.
CVOR Inspections – Your Daily Must-Do
One of the most common ways operators rack up CVOR infractions is through incomplete or improper inspections.
Under Ontario Regulation 199/07, all commercial motor vehicles must be inspected daily. There are six inspection schedules, and at least one applies to your vehicle:
- Schedule 1 – Most common: applies to trucks, service vehicles, tow trucks, some pickups, etc.
- Schedules 2–6 – Apply to buses, motor coaches, and school vehicles.
Each schedule lists vehicle components you must inspect every 24 hours. It also clearly identifies minor vs. major defects:
- Minor defects must be fixed before the next dispatch.
- Major defects mean the vehicle is legally not allowed to be on the road until repaired.
And remember: once the inspection is done, a report must be completed in full, signed, and kept in the vehicle. If you’re pulled over, it’s likely the first thing the inspector will ask for.
Hours of Service – Not Just About Driving
Regulation 555/06 outlines Hours of Service (HoS) requirements to prevent driver fatigue.
These rules limit:
- Driving hours within a 24-hour period
- Non-driving on-duty hours
- Require mandatory rest periods
Drivers must log their hours daily in a logbook (unless specific exemptions apply). The log must be accurate, legible, and signed only at the end of the day.
Here are a few common exemptions:
- Short-haul drivers who stay within a 160 km radius and return to the same location may not need to fill out a logbook.
- Tow truck operators: Schedule 1 inspections still apply, but HoS rules do not.
- Emergency vehicles: HoS exemptions apply, but daily inspections likely still do.
Bottom line: If you’re required to follow Hours of Service, know your responsibilities and make sure dispatchers do too.
Load Securement – It’s Not Just a Tie-Down
When transporting cargo that isn’t self-contained, load securement regulations (Regulation 363/04) apply.
Key requirements:
- Secure all loads using straps or chains.
- The combined working load limit (WLL) of the restraints must equal at least 50% of the cargo weight.
- Straps/chains must be tightened and regularly rechecked.
- All securement systems must comply with NSC-10 (National Safety Code 10) standards across North America.
Transporting Dangerous Goods – Know the TDG Rules
Transporting hazardous materials? You fall under the federal TDG Act.
Requirements vary depending on the substance but generally include:
- Placarding
- Labelling
- Packaging
- Documentation
- Driver training
Failure to comply can result in significant fines—or worse. If you deal with dangerous goods, training is non-negotiable.
Are You Compliant—or Just Lucky?
If you lost your CVOR, could your business survive?
Many drivers—and operators—assume they’re compliant, but compliance requires more than checking a few boxes. Here’s what you should be doing:
✅ Train Your Drivers
Don’t assume commercial drivers understand all their obligations. Even experienced drivers often say, “I didn’t know that!” when presented with CVOR requirements, especially around air brake tests.
✅ Train Your Dispatchers
Dispatchers need to understand HoS too. If a driver says, “I don’t have hours left,” and the dispatcher pushes back—that’s a red flag.
✅ Review Tickets—And Fight Them
It’s not just the fines—it’s the CVOR points that matter. Accumulated points can lead to warnings, audits, and eventually losing your operating privileges. Always address tickets, and aim to reduce or eliminate the points.
✅ Pull Driver Abstracts Annually
Drivers may not tell you about tickets. Your insurance provider will find out—so should you. High point levels trigger increased premiums and Ministry attention.
Not Sure You’re Qualified to Train Your Drivers? We Are.
If you’re unsure whether your knowledge is up to date, don’t worry—we’ve got your back. At Industrial Safety Trainers, our instructors bring years of real-world experience and deep expertise in CVOR requirements.
We offer training in:
- Schedule One Inspections
- Hours of Service Regulations
- Load Securement
- Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG)
Let us help you protect your business, reduce risk, and stay on the road legally.
