Commercial Vehicle Operators' Safety Manual

Commercial Vehicle

Operators’ 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 – February 2022

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 – February 2022

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 – February 2022

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 – February 2022

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 – February 2022

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)

▪ 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 – February 2022

Highlight of Modules Available in this Manual

Title

Description

Introduction

Outline of the purpose of the Commercial Vehicle Operators’ Safety

Manual and the intended users.

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)

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.

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.

Ontario Specific

Enforcement Issues

Provides information on enforcement issues that are specific to Ontario,

including:

- Commercial Vehicle Impoundment Program (CVIP)

- Speed Limiters

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.

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.

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

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.

Dangerous Goods

Provides an overview of dangerous goods, including identifying them,

training staff, safety requirements and information, and emergency

contacts.

Vehicle Weights and

Dimensions

Describes weight and dimensions limitations for vehicles and the

oversize/overweight permit process.

Driver and Vehicle

Licensing

Provides an overview of vehicle registration requirements and driver-

licensing requirements.

Introduction – February 2022

Title

Description

Passenger Transportation

Services

Provides a high-level overview of operating-authority requirements.

Cargo Securement

Provides an overview of the directive to secure a vehicle's cargo, including

securing devices, requirements and commodity-specific applications.

Getting Started – February 2022

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